In this inspiring and insightful episode, the Busy Being Born duo sit down with filmmaker Mark Maina, whose journey from computer science student to award-winning storyteller traces the beautiful intersection of discipline, creativity, and vision.

Mark shares how a deep curiosity for technology led him to filmmaking, a path that took him from the University of Nairobi to international recognition at the Cannes Film Festival. Along the way, he studied at Germany’s Film Academy Baden-Württemberg, worked as Head of Post-Production at Nigeria’s EbonyLife, and ultimately returned home to Kenya to build MGreen Entertainment, a studio blending live action, animation, and African imagination.

With openness and warmth, Mark opens up about family, fatherhood, and legacy, exploring how success means little without presence, and how creativity thrives where skill and purpose meet. The conversation delves into the evolution of Kenya’s film industry, the rise of AI in post-production, and the grounded philosophy of a man shaping art from both heart and discipline.

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Show notes and links

Listen in to learn:

·        How to transition from traditional careers into creative fields

·        Lessons from working in Kenya, Nigeria, and Germany’s film industries

·        Why skill-building sustains passion in competitive creative spaces

·        How AI is transforming storytelling and post-production

·        The importance of legacy, mentorship, and intentional fatherhood

·        Why creativity begins with discipline and ends with meaning

Books, Resources & Mentions:

·        So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport

·        Neophobia (Cannes Official Selection, 2017)

·        Pause for Reflection – hybrid animation/live-action feature (Festival Premiere: Nov 2024)

·        Sugar Mashariki TV series (Season 2 & upcoming Season 3)

·        MGreen Entertainment Studios

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