Jethwa, a short film recently shared by Capital Digital Media has caught the attention of an international film festival and has been nominated as a finalist at the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival in Australia.

Directed by Samuel Wanjohi, produced by David Muba and assistant producer Grace Njeri, tells the story of Sam Jethwa an inspiring gentleman who sustained severe spinal cord injury in a car accident 25 years ago leaving him paralysed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair.

This did not stop Jethwa from continuing his life. Since then, he has raced in the East Africa Classic Safari to raise funds for the rehabilitation of the National Spinal Injury Hospital in Nairobi raising US $14,000 in cash and kind. His life long dream is to do the Dakar rally one day and in so doing, be the first Kenyan and first person with disability from East Africa to do the Dakar rally.

Focus on Ability encourages film makers to share stories that highlight the abilities of people with disability and Jethwa’s story of hope, mental and physical strength says just that! He has inspired thousands of people to go out there and try things they are afraid of doing.

Announced today, the 11th festival is set to be the biggest yet. Based in Australia, this year’s FOA festival had a staggering 245 entries, including 104 school entries and 61 international films. Following successful screenings last year right around Australia, in New Zealand, New York, Zimbabwe and Malawi this year the competition received entries from 26 countries.

With over $175,000 AUD in prizes to be shared among winners, the competition will be very stiff. Voting starts 20th June 2019, and concludes on 3rd July 2019 on FOA’s official website.

You can vote HERE!