TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL: SEARCHING FOR AMANI

Documentary Feature – Running Time 80 Minutes

The story of 13-year-old Simon Ali, an aspiring journalist, who investigates his father’s mysterious murder within the boundaries of one of Kenya’s largest wildlife conservancies. As a drought ravages the country, Simon’s quest to find the killer shifts, and an activist is born as he learns that his father’s death was the collateral damage of a warming world.

THE FILM

A 13-year-old aspiring journalist investigates his father’s mysterious murder within the

boundaries of one of Kenya’s largest wildlife conservancies. As a ravaging drought

encroaches, his quest to find the killer shifts, and an activist is born as the collateral

damage of a warming world is revealed.

SHORT SYNOPSIS

Searching for Amani, a character driven coming-of-age story set to the backdrop of a

climate crisis, follows thirteen-year-old aspiring journalist, Simon Ali, as he uncovers the

mystery surrounding his father’s murder. Simon’s father was killed in 2019 while

working as a nature guide in Laikipia’s largest wildlife conservancy.

Over the course of four years, Simon searches for the answers his family seeks. As a

devastating drought rages through Sub-Saharan Africa, conflict erupts and the collateral

damage of a warming world is revealed as he begins to fully understand the forces that

led to his father’s death. Exploring the life and death of Simon's father catalyzes a

nuanced conversation about the changing environment, conservation, and community

equity in a time of crisis.

Amani in Swahili translate to Peace

Public Screenings

Saturday, June 8th – 3:15pm at The Village East by Angelika

Sunday, June 9th – 12:00pm at the Village East by Angelika

Saturday, June 15th – 2:00pm at the AMC 19th Street

Press/Industry Screening

Tuesday, June 11th – 2:00pm at the AMC 19th Street

Tribeca Film Festival

FILM CREDITS

Directors: Nicole Gormley, Debra Aroko

Lived by: Simon Ali 

Produced by: Nicole Gormley, Peter Goetz, Mungai Kiroga, Caryn Capotosto

Executive Producers: Geralyn Dreyfous, David and Linda Cornfield, Randy

Gebhardt, Christopher Gebhardt, Janet Tittiger, Gottfried Tittiger, Peter Tittiger,

Paula Kahumbu

Consulting Producers: Judy Kibinge, Lucy Ali

Cinematography by: Campbell Brewer, Nicole Gormley, Simon Ali

Edited by: Tessa Malsam & Davis Coombe

Additional Editing: Chris Naum, Dave Wruck

Assistant Editor and Associate Producer: Christian Carvallo 

Story Architect: Vickie Curtis 

Music by: David Naroth, Monica Sonand, David Fleming 

Production Sound: Ronnie Mugambi

Sound Design: Peter Albrechtsen

Animations: Mai The Vu

Impact Producers: Debra Aroko, Laissa Malih