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London-based Ethiopian-Egyptian artist @alewya11 presents “Eshi,” a track from her upcoming project “ZERO,” accompanied by a visually rich music video, offering a cinematic experience inspired by Ethiopian heritage.

The video was shot in Lalibela during the Gena celebrations, capturing a strong sense of community, cultural identity, and spiritual.

Credits:
Director & Producer: @fraythelight
Dop: @tedosteffera
Art director: @yonas_tadesse_
Creative Direction: @yonas_tadesse_ & @fraythelight & @tedosteffera & @ltrigg
Colourist: @andikdc
Production company: @qenefilms

London-based Ethiopian-Egyptian artist @alewya11 presents “Eshi,” a track from her upcoming project “ZERO,” accompanied by a visually rich music video, offering a cinematic experience inspired by Ethiopian heritage.

The video was shot in Lalibela during the Gena celebrations, capturing a strong sense of community, cultural identity, and spiritual.

Credits:
Director & Producer: @fraythelight
Dop: @tedosteffera
Art director: @yonas_tadesse_
Creative Direction: @yonas_tadesse_ & @fraythelight & @tedosteffera & @ltrigg
Colourist: @andikdc
Production company: @qenefilms

London-based Ethiopian-Egyptian artist @alewya11 presents “Eshi,” a track from her upcoming project “ZERO,” accompanied by a visually rich music video, offering a cinematic experience inspired by Ethiopian heritage.

The video was shot in Lalibela during the Gena celebrations, capturing a strong sense of community, cultural identity, and spiritual.

Credits:
Director & Producer: @fraythelight
Dop: @tedosteffera
Art director: @yonas_tadesse_
Creative Direction: @yonas_tadesse_ & @fraythelight & @tedosteffera & @ltrigg
Colourist: @andikdc
Production company: @qenefilms

London-based Ethiopian-Egyptian artist @alewya11 presents “Eshi,” a track from her upcoming project “ZERO,” accompanied by a visually rich music video, offering a cinematic experience inspired by Ethiopian heritage.

The video was shot in Lalibela during the Gena celebrations, capturing a strong sense of community, cultural identity, and spiritual.

Credits:
Director & Producer: @fraythelight
Dop: @tedosteffera
Art director: @yonas_tadesse_
Creative Direction: @yonas_tadesse_ & @fraythelight & @tedosteffera & @ltrigg
Colourist: @andikdc
Production company: @qenefilms

London-based Ethiopian-Egyptian artist @alewya11 presents “Eshi,” a track from her upcoming project “ZERO,” accompanied by a visually rich music video, offering a cinematic experience inspired by Ethiopian heritage.

The video was shot in Lalibela during the Gena celebrations, capturing a strong sense of community, cultural identity, and spiritual.

Credits:
Director & Producer: @fraythelight
Dop: @tedosteffera
Art director: @yonas_tadesse_
Creative Direction: @yonas_tadesse_ & @fraythelight & @tedosteffera & @ltrigg
Colourist: @andikdc
Production company: @qenefilms

Shot in Merkato

———
STYLIST : BRIANNA BICKING @briannabicking
DIRECTED & PRODUCED BY : Firehiwot Berhane @fraythelight
Photographer & EDITOR : Tedos Teffera @tedosteffera
PRODUCTION HOUSE : Qene Films @qenefilms
ASSISTANT CAMERA : Meseret Demis @e_m_u_k_a_
ASSISTANT STYLIST : Bethel Abebe @beth_.el
TALENT : Mimi
Special Thanks to the humans of Merkato

May 2 - Day 2 continues.
The conversations deepen.

Registration link in bio.

#SmartPhilm #craftaddis #Day2

May 2 - Day 2 continues.
The conversations deepen.

Registration link in bio.

#SmartPhilm #craftaddis #Day2

May 2 - Day 2 continues.
The conversations deepen.

Registration link in bio.

#SmartPhilm #craftaddis #Day2

May 2 - Day 2 continues.
The conversations deepen.

Registration link in bio.

#SmartPhilm #craftaddis #Day2

May 2 - Day 2 continues.
The conversations deepen.

Registration link in bio.

#SmartPhilm #craftaddis #Day2

May 2 - Day 2 continues.
The conversations deepen.

Registration link in bio.

#SmartPhilm #craftaddis #Day2

May 2 - Day 2 continues.
The conversations deepen.

Registration link in bio.

#SmartPhilm #craftaddis #Day2

This styling piece unfolds within Merkato’s Minalesh Tera where relentless motion and instinct converge, presenting fashion as structure drawn from within living chaos.

Realized in collaboration with Director Firehiwot Berhane, Cinematographer Tedos Teffera and the production house Qene Films. Grateful for the collaboration, the belief, and the vision we shared, and to those who showed up early on a Sunday morning in support of this work.

———
STYLIST : BRIANNA BICKING @briannabicking
DIRECTED & PRODUCED BY : Firehiwot Berhane @fraythelight
D.O.P. & COLORIST : Tedos Teffera @tedosteffera
PRODUCTION HOUSE : Qene Films @qenefilms
ASSISTANT CAMERA : Meseret Demis @e_m_u_k_a_
EDITOR : Henok Yohannes @heni_yoha
ASSISTANT STYLIST : Bethel Abebe @beth_.el
TALENT : Bethel Abebe @beth_.el, Abenezer Temesegene @rasabenezer, Robel Yohannes @gurinya_ , Mimi
Special Thanks to the humans of Merkato

@fraythelight at SmartPhilm.

A special screening of “The River” followed by an intimate conversation.

May 2 Adwa Museum.

Registration link in our bio.

#SmartPhilm #CRAFTAddis #FilmScreening #smartphilmfest

Celebrating six years of friendship and art. I met Alewya @alewya11 through Art Comes First @artcomesfirst and she has become dear family and collaborator, this is what we recently created. Here are stills from Eshi Visual, a recent body of work close to the heart.

Working on Eshi Visual was a real pleasure. I came on as Art Director and Assistant Director alongside the talented comrade Qene Films @qenefilms, director @fraythelight and DP @tedosteffera, and all the family @zeynasy @kikzkatika @rasabenezer @yafet__geberezgi and all creatives who helped bring this vision to life.

Celebrating six years of friendship and art. I met Alewya @alewya11 through Art Comes First @artcomesfirst and she has become dear family and collaborator, this is what we recently created. Here are stills from Eshi Visual, a recent body of work close to the heart.

Working on Eshi Visual was a real pleasure. I came on as Art Director and Assistant Director alongside the talented comrade Qene Films @qenefilms, director @fraythelight and DP @tedosteffera, and all the family @zeynasy @kikzkatika @rasabenezer @yafet__geberezgi and all creatives who helped bring this vision to life.

Celebrating six years of friendship and art. I met Alewya @alewya11 through Art Comes First @artcomesfirst and she has become dear family and collaborator, this is what we recently created. Here are stills from Eshi Visual, a recent body of work close to the heart.

Working on Eshi Visual was a real pleasure. I came on as Art Director and Assistant Director alongside the talented comrade Qene Films @qenefilms, director @fraythelight and DP @tedosteffera, and all the family @zeynasy @kikzkatika @rasabenezer @yafet__geberezgi and all creatives who helped bring this vision to life.

Celebrating six years of friendship and art. I met Alewya @alewya11 through Art Comes First @artcomesfirst and she has become dear family and collaborator, this is what we recently created. Here are stills from Eshi Visual, a recent body of work close to the heart.

Working on Eshi Visual was a real pleasure. I came on as Art Director and Assistant Director alongside the talented comrade Qene Films @qenefilms, director @fraythelight and DP @tedosteffera, and all the family @zeynasy @kikzkatika @rasabenezer @yafet__geberezgi and all creatives who helped bring this vision to life.

Celebrating six years of friendship and art. I met Alewya @alewya11 through Art Comes First @artcomesfirst and she has become dear family and collaborator, this is what we recently created. Here are stills from Eshi Visual, a recent body of work close to the heart.

Working on Eshi Visual was a real pleasure. I came on as Art Director and Assistant Director alongside the talented comrade Qene Films @qenefilms, director @fraythelight and DP @tedosteffera, and all the family @zeynasy @kikzkatika @rasabenezer @yafet__geberezgi and all creatives who helped bring this vision to life.

The River is an Official Selection of the New York African Film Festival @africanfilmfest screeningat @lctheater

Two years since the film’s release, and it still feels surreal to witness how far it has traveled. From Ethiopia to screens across the world, this journey has been a testament to the power of culture, how it can be felt, understood, and carried across borders without translation.

Grateful for every audience that has held this story.

Screening Schedule:

Crossings Programme
Thursday, May 7 — 8:30PM
Friday, May 8 — 3:00PM
Lincoln Center

More information at @africanfilmfest

The River is an Official Selection of the New York African Film Festival @africanfilmfest screeningat @lctheater

Two years since the film’s release, and it still feels surreal to witness how far it has traveled. From Ethiopia to screens across the world, this journey has been a testament to the power of culture, how it can be felt, understood, and carried across borders without translation.

Grateful for every audience that has held this story.

Screening Schedule:

Crossings Programme
Thursday, May 7 — 8:30PM
Friday, May 8 — 3:00PM
Lincoln Center

More information at @africanfilmfest

The River is an Official Selection of the New York African Film Festival @africanfilmfest screeningat @lctheater

Two years since the film’s release, and it still feels surreal to witness how far it has traveled. From Ethiopia to screens across the world, this journey has been a testament to the power of culture, how it can be felt, understood, and carried across borders without translation.

Grateful for every audience that has held this story.

Screening Schedule:

Crossings Programme
Thursday, May 7 — 8:30PM
Friday, May 8 — 3:00PM
Lincoln Center

More information at @africanfilmfest

The River is an Official Selection of the New York African Film Festival @africanfilmfest screeningat @lctheater

Two years since the film’s release, and it still feels surreal to witness how far it has traveled. From Ethiopia to screens across the world, this journey has been a testament to the power of culture, how it can be felt, understood, and carried across borders without translation.

Grateful for every audience that has held this story.

Screening Schedule:

Crossings Programme
Thursday, May 7 — 8:30PM
Friday, May 8 — 3:00PM
Lincoln Center

More information at @africanfilmfest

Frehiwot Berhane and Tedos Teffera are joining the CRAFT Addis 2026 speaker lineup!

We are excited to welcome The powerhouse duo behind @qenefilms.

From @fraythelight leadership in creative production and industry advocacy to @tedosteffera mastery of cinematography and visual storytelling, their work at Qene Films continues to transform artistic expression into captivating works of art.

Don't miss their session at CRAFT Addis!

📍 Adwa Victory Memorial Museum
🎟 Get your tickets now: https://craftaddis.com/getticket

#CRAFTAddis #QeneFilms #Filmmaking #Cinematography #Storytelling #CreativeEconomy #AddisAbaba #CRAFT2026

Frehiwot Berhane and Tedos Teffera are joining the CRAFT Addis 2026 speaker lineup!

We are excited to welcome The powerhouse duo behind @qenefilms.

From @fraythelight leadership in creative production and industry advocacy to @tedosteffera mastery of cinematography and visual storytelling, their work at Qene Films continues to transform artistic expression into captivating works of art.

Don't miss their session at CRAFT Addis!

📍 Adwa Victory Memorial Museum
🎟 Get your tickets now: https://craftaddis.com/getticket

#CRAFTAddis #QeneFilms #Filmmaking #Cinematography #Storytelling #CreativeEconomy #AddisAbaba #CRAFT2026

Melkam Fasika 🤍

Holidays in Ethiopia have always meant more than celebration. It carries renewal, return, and something deeper than words. This year, we felt that in Lalibela. What we found wasn’t just a place, but a presence. In the rhythm, the stillness, the people. Everywhere we went, we were met with a quiet warmth that felt like belonging.

This piece with @alewya11 came from that space. Beyond performance. Where music, movement, and spirit meet. In Ethiopia, culture and spirituality are one. The rhythm is lived. The dance is felt.

There was trust in this collaboration. Real trust. The kind that allows something honest to emerge without force. And because of that, this project became more than a production. It became something we will carry with us for a long time.

We are grateful. For the people, for the land, for the openness, for the shared energy that made this possible. This is the heart of Ethiopia. The love, the depth, the devotion, the beauty.

And we recognize it. We honor it. We carry it.

_______\_\________

Eshi Video Credits

Directed & Produced by: Frehiwot Berhane @fraythelight
DOP: Tedos Teffera @tedosteffera
Creative Direction: Yonas Tadesse @yonas_tadesse_, Frehiwot Berhane @fraythelight, @alewya11, Tedos Teffera @tedosteffera
Production: Qene Films @qenefilms
Post Production Director: Lee Trigg | Editors: Lee Trigg, Omar Allsop
Assistant Director: Yonas Tadesse @yonas_tadesse_
Art Director: Tedos Teffera @tedosteffera, Yonas Tadesse @yonas_tadesse_
Artist Team: @zeynasy @kikzkatika

Camera: @yafet__geberezgi, @e_m_u_k_a_,
Grip: @johannesdereje
Assistant Editor: @heni_yoha
Colour: Electric Theatre Collective @electric_colour, Andi Chu @andikdc, Renata Fabri @refabrii
Styling: @fraythelight, @yonas_tadesse_
Hair: Esrael Eyob | Henna: Almaz Sefiew | Wardrobe: @natnael_mekuanent
Production: Mengistu Fentaw, Melat Kibret, Natnael Negusu, Marye Getnet, Sancho

Talent: Alewya, Zeynasy, Kikzkatika, Sete Zebegna, Tihitina Asaye, Destaye Tsehayinew, Yordanos Amare, Wubet Tenaw, Bernesh Abraham, Melat Kibret, Haymanot Abrha, Zewde Admassie, Sisay Birara

Special thanks: @rasabenezer @sehintewabe Lal Hotel

POV: you go to the city of peace & feed hyenas and confirm it’s actually the city of peace

📍 Harar, Ethiopia

The River will screen for the first time ever in Washington, DC this Friday at NYU Washington, DC as part of the 2026 Mother Tongue Film Festival.

Guests are warmly invited to join us for a cocktail hour immediately following the screening of The River at @sost.dc , offering a space to gather, reflect, and connect in community, starting at 5:30 PM.

This informal reception creates an opportunity to continue conversations inspired by the film, meet fellow attendees, and engage with the themes of womanhood, memory, and resilience explored throughout the program.

Screening:
Location: Abramson Family Auditorium, NYU
Washington, DC
3:00pm - 5:00pm

Reception:
Location: SOST,
1901 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
5:30pm - 8:30pm

RSVP LINK BIO

The River will screen for the first time ever in Washington, DC this Friday at NYU Washington, DC as part of the 2026 Mother Tongue Film Festival.

Guests are warmly invited to join us for a cocktail hour immediately following the screening of The River at @sost.dc , offering a space to gather, reflect, and connect in community, starting at 5:30 PM.

This informal reception creates an opportunity to continue conversations inspired by the film, meet fellow attendees, and engage with the themes of womanhood, memory, and resilience explored throughout the program.

Screening:
Location: Abramson Family Auditorium, NYU
Washington, DC
3:00pm - 5:00pm

Reception:
Location: SOST,
1901 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
5:30pm - 8:30pm

RSVP LINK BIO

The River will screen for the first time ever in Washington, DC this Friday at NYU Washington, DC as part of the 2026 Mother Tongue Film Festival.

Guests are warmly invited to join us for a cocktail hour immediately following the screening of The River at @sost.dc , offering a space to gather, reflect, and connect in community, starting at 5:30 PM.

This informal reception creates an opportunity to continue conversations inspired by the film, meet fellow attendees, and engage with the themes of womanhood, memory, and resilience explored throughout the program.

Screening:
Location: Abramson Family Auditorium, NYU
Washington, DC
3:00pm - 5:00pm

Reception:
Location: SOST,
1901 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
5:30pm - 8:30pm

RSVP LINK BIO

The River will be screening across cities, institutions, and community spaces throughout 2026. Each screening is an invitation to gather, reflect, and experience the film together, rooted in culture, memory, and collective presence.

January 14, 2026 — February 27, 2026 Soil & Water: Mediterranean Crossing
Art Rooms, ARUCAD
Kyrenia, Cyprus
@soilandwaterarts

January 24, 2026 — British Film Institute
Woman With a Movie Camera Summit
London, United Kingdom
@britishfilminstitute

January 24, 2026 — Art of Buna Art Gallery
Cologne, Germany
@art_of_buna

February 19 - 22, 2026 — Black Europe Film Festival of Minneapolis–Saint Paul
Minneapolis / Saint Paul, Minnesota
@blackeuropefilmfestival

February 20, 2026 — The Smithsonian
Mother Tongue Film Festival
Washington, D.C.
@smithsonianfolklife

February 27, 2026 — Brooklyn Public Library
Library for Arts & Culture
New York, New York
@bklynlibrary

Grateful for every space opening its doors and every community holding this work.