The award-Winning Kenyan film, Poacher, starring one of Kenya’s best actors, Brian Ogola, will be airing on Netflix, for the first time since it’s production.

Poacher, a conservation film shot at Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary in Tsavo Kenya, is set to premiere on the global streaming service on September 30.

“After a 4-year journey, we are enormously proud to announce that our short award-winning Kenyan crime thriller ‘Poacher’ will be available on Netflix from 30th September. Filmed and produced at the Rukinga Wildlife Conservancy & the Nyika Bird Sanctuary in Tsavo Kenya, it is a testament to the tenacious and extraordinary talent involved that this independent film will now be available to stream to a global audience,” the film’s director, Tom Whitworth announced on Facebook.

The film, Poacher, which is directed by Tom Whitworth, tells the story of a desperate farmer who runs into trouble after stealing a stash of blood ivory from a gang of international terrorists. The film seeks to highlight the significant international issue of illegal ivory trade by addressing the plight of Africa’s endangered elephant population.

Cast: Brian Ogola as Mutua, Davina Leonard as Nicola Betts, Lenny Juma as Juma, Shiviske Shivisi as Ngina, Olwenya Maina as Hassan.

Poacher (2018) was released in August 2018, having been screened at the Short To The Point (STTP) Festival, where it was won a Best Editing Award. The had it’s Kenyan premiere on 10 November 2018 at the ANGA IMAX Theatre during the Kalasha International Film Awards.

Netflix, a US-based internet streaming TV rolled was introduced in the Kenyan market in 2016, amidst criticism from the Kenya Film Classification Board. Netflix, which was established in 1997 started its subscription-based service in 1999.

NETFLIX APPOINTS KENYA’S PRODUCER DOROTHY GHETUBBA MANAGER INTERNATIONAL ORIGINS

Last year, Kenyan award-winning TV producer and CEO Spielworks Media, Dorothy Ghettuba was hired by global streaming company Netflix as its manager for International Originals.

In 2018 Netflix announced plans to commission original shows from Africa by 2019.

The Boy who Harnessed the Wind, based in Malawi, but featuring Kenyan actors, including the star actor Maxwell Simba, who plays William, is among the African films commissioned by Netflix.

Netflix also bought Nollywood’s movie, Lionheart, by Genevieve Nnaji in September 2018.

Kenyans Elated! 

Brian Ogola, was full of excitement after getting the green light to finally make public the news about the film airing on Netflix.

“Can’t believe I kept this off social media for weeks! but i’m finally happy to hare the good news. Poacher will be available on Netflix from September 3oth. It’s been two years since we made this film and it feels so good to see it soar to these heights. congratulations to the entire team,” he said on an Instagram post.

Below are some of the remarks shared by players in the local TV and film industry.