ABOUT

MARTIN CUFF is a creator, writer and producer of original books, films and television series. The former Director of the Association of Film Commissioners International (Los Angeles), the Colorado Film Commission (Denver) and the Cape Film Commission (Cape Town), Martin’s three decades of sector development experience give him unprecedented insight into how films and tv series are made and marketed. Martin now applies this knowledge to his own slate of creative projects, developed in cooperation with producing partners, internationally. Martin is additionally the CEO and Founder of KiWIMA, a mobile streaming platform for Swahili-language content in East Africa.

MAIN SLATE

The Main Slate features the twelve projects in active development and three in early stage. Projects are secured by an Original Book / Novel to anchor the IP. Production Pitch Packets and Pitch Presentations, Production notes on potential partners, filming locations, incentives, financial stacks, and casting are also provided. Commercial opportunities via transmedia extensions – from tourism to gastronomy to CSR – add further value to the IP offering. If you’re a producer, broadcaster or potential co-production partner and something here interests you, please get in touch at martin@martincuff.com.

MORE
MORE
MORE
MORE
MORE
MORE
MORE
MORE
MORE
MORE
MORE
MORE

CREATIVE PHILOSOPHY

Martin’s work is influenced by two parallel but intertwined philosophies: Chrononsonder which means “the profound realization and awareness that people in the past lived lives as vivid, complex, and emotionally rich as our own, each with their own thoughts, struggles, joys, and routines.” – People Over There, but also: People Over Then.

The second strand, Same Blue Sky leans into this same philosophy, except it looks at the people who live around us today – the woman on the bus, the jogger in the street, the receptionist or the CEO – all with rich and complex emotional lives, just like our own. By leaning into the communality of our human experiences, by connecting with people’s dreams and challenges at pivotal moments during their lives, our stories reach across time and place to resonate with audiences and readers.

KiWIMA

Martin is also the founder and CEO of mediatech start-up KiWIMA – short for kiSwahili Wima / Swahili Verticals. Launching first in East Africa, KiWIMA is a membership-driven “Netflix for African-language vertical content” including:

  • Streaming platform — Swahili content in vertical formats, designed for viewing on mobile phones.
  • Production plant — producing entertainment content that East African audiences want to see: short 2–3 minute dramas, thrillers, comedies, horror, soap operas – all in Swahili.
  • A co-creation engine — providing multiple opportunities for audiences to become participants in the creative process in ways that build shared passion and commitment.
  • Community — membership of different tiers for different levels of fans, unlocking unique opportunities, connections and experiences.
  • A social platform — for content creators working in Swahili to share and monetize their work.

For more information, visit the website: www.kiwima.africa