Memory of Princess Mumbi

Memory of Princess Mumbi (2026)



7.0 2026 81 min Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland

Director: Damien Hauser

Cast: Shandra Apondi, Ibrahim Joseph, Samson Waithaka, Michael Garama, Damien Hauser

Romance Science Fiction
In the year 2093, documentarian Kuve journeys to Umata to capture the lingering scars of a war that resurrected long-lost empires. There, he encounters Mumbi, who dares him to create his film entirely without artificial intelligence. As Kuve struggles to discover his authentic creative voice, he slowly uncovers a profound truth: within a fractured world, grace still hides in the quiet, overlooked human details that so often go unseen.

More About This Film

Memory of Princess Mumbi is a science-fiction drama set in 2093, after a devastating war has outlawed advanced technology and brought ancient kingdoms back to life. Young filmmaker Kuve travels to the remote village of Umata to document the transformed world and meets Mumbi, a local filmmaker who challenges him to work without artificial intelligence.

Damien Hauser directs the film as a playful mixture of mockumentary, science fiction, romance, and fantasy. The story uses the future to reflect on filmmaking itself, asking what is gained when images are created through direct human experience rather than automated tools.

  • Directed and written by Damien Hauser.
  • Shandra Apondi plays Mumbi and Ibrahim Joseph plays Kuve.
  • The film was shot in Watamu, Kenya.
  • The production countries are Kenya, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia.
  • The film was selected for Venice and Toronto and received multiple festival nominations and awards.

Where to Watch

Memory of Princess Mumbi has an international festival and limited theatrical release, with specialist streaming availability developing by territory.