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Play, download and edit the free video Yene Fikir, Ethiopia Official Trailer - #MECCAconIFF2019 official selection.

Set in 1970's Ethiopia during a time of violent political uprising-- Yene Fikir, Ethiopia, follows the turbulent and mystical journey of a young girl searching for freedom after being separated from her family. As she embarks on a painful migration through the scorching desert, magical guardian angels are sent to aid her by a mysterious and ancient Goddess in the skies, holding the secret to heal her homeland. With the presence of her angels, and her krar, she discovers hidden powers within herself she was unaware of before.

Gabrielle TesfayeDirector
Gabrielle TesfayeAnimator
Tensae FayiseMusical Composer
Haile SupremeMusic Composer
Director Biography - Gabrielle Tesfay

Gabrielle Tesfaye is an interdisciplinary artist versed in painting, animation, film, puppetry and interactive installation. Tesfaye is raised in America as a first-generation, to an Ethiopian father and mixed-heritage Jamaican mother. Her extensive international travel and exposure to multiculturalism in her life, echoes itself in her mixed media approach to art making and cross-cultural content. Her research is rooted in African diaspora, Afro-futurism, ancient puppetry practices and cultural storytelling.
Her background in film started at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, and continued at the Mahidol University International College in Bangkok, Thailand. Tesfaye obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Peck School of the Arts, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Tesfaye has been internationally recognized in online and printed publications such as Majestic Disorder Magazine (UK) and Vogue (USA). Tesfaye has exhibited at The Crypt Gallery (London), Gallery X (Dublin), and Thapae East Venue for Creative Arts (Thailand)/
She is the recipient of a series of scholarships and awards, including two Frederick R. Layton Scholarships, Robert A. Nelson Film Scholarship, Cream City Cinema College Filmmaker Award, and Mary Nohl Suitcase Export Fund. Tesfaye has participated in multiple artist residencies including Tholpavakoothu Puppetry Theatre in Kerala, India, Art Residency Thailand in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Within her teaching experience, Tesfaye has explored the use of cultural storytelling and puppetry as community public art. Tesfaye is currently expanding with her art through international travel, film and guest speaking at schools, universities and artistic organizations.

"Yene Fikir, Ethiopia, meaning ‘My Love, Ethiopia’, takes us on a journey of a young girl escaping 1970's Ethiopia during a time of rising political conflict. Through live action and stop motion animation, the story is unveiled through turbulent migration, visiting spirits from an ancient world, and present day Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is proudly known as the country in Africa that wasn’t colonized, basking in untouched rich history and cultural traditions. However in more recent times, the country has also experienced political tyranny after the overthrow and death of King Haile Selassie. This has created a huge population of refugees fleeing the country, and the Ethiopian diaspora. Immigration is a pressing topic in current politics. The inner landscapes of emotional and mental psyches existing within the realm of leaving one’s country of birth, to start life in an afar land, is cryptic and not commonly understood. This film aims to reveal the story of these inner turmoils, providing African diaspora communities an expression of themselves not seen in current media. However, this film is not a disaster narrative supporting the seemingly small portrait past media outlets have tried to paint of the country, as a famished land. This films serves to express history, both modern and extremely ancient, and give Ethiopians an expression of themselves which encompass all of what we are- Magical. Power. Overcoming of all."

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