Wanjiru Kinyanjui (born 1958) is a Kenyan writer, poet, journalist and filmmaker.

Life

Kinyanjui received a master's in English and German literature before studying film at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin.^[1]

Kinyanjui's 1994 film Battle of the Sacred Tree, focusing on a woman caught between traditional Kikuyu values and 'modern' practices, was financially supported, produced and distributed by Birne Film (Germany) and Flamingo Films (France).^[2] This film, shot in Kenya, as well as Kinyanjui's short film A Lover & Killer of Colours were part of the Forum Special Program at the 2023 Berlinale.

Filmography

• The Sick Bird, 1991^[3]
• Black in the Western World, 1992^[3]
• Battle of the Sacred Tree, 1994
• …If Joined by a Stranger […Wenn nein Fremder dazu kommt] (1987)
• The Reunion (1988)
• A Lover and Killer of Colour (1988)
• Karfunkel – Der Vogel mit dem gebrochenen Flügel (1990)
• Clara Has Two Countries (1992)
• Vitico, a Living Legend (1993)
• Die Rechte der Kinder – Der aufgespürte Vater (1997)
• Koi and Her Rights [Koi na Haki Zake] (1997)
• Daudi’s Gift [Zawaki ya Daudi] (1997)
• Die Rechte der Kinder – Anruf aus Afrika (1998)
• African Children (1999)
• And This Is Progress (2000)
• Say No to Poverty (2001)
• Member of the Jury (2001)
• Manga in America (2007)
• Bahati (2008)
• Africa Is a Woman’s Name – Amai Rose: A Portrait of a Zimbabwean Woman (2009)