Filmmaker Femi Odugbemi is mourning Kenyan film producer Appie Matere, who died on Monday December 15, after a battle with breast cancer.
In a post on his Facebook page on Thursday, Odugbemi described Matere as a storyteller who valued truth and dignity in her work.
He wrote: “Appie was a gifted storyteller who understood that storytelling is not just about images, but about dignity, truth, and the responsibility of representation. She carried African stories with care, intelligence, and empathy, and she did so with grace.
Appie was also generous in spirit. She showed up. She listened. She supported. She believed in the power of storytelling to connect people across borders. Her work endures. Her influence remains. Her memory will continue to inspire those committed to telling Africa’s stories honestly and well. May her gentle soul rest in peace. Amen.”
Matere was a leading figure in the Kenyan film and television industry. She founded Zamaradi Productions, an independent studio known for creating authentic African content for local and international audiences. Over more than two decades, she produced films, documentaries, and long-form television dramas that helped shape Kenya’s screen narrative.
Her credits included popular series and films such as the telenovela Kona, and award‑winning projects like Killer Necklace and Headlines in History, which received recognition at the Kalasha Awards and international film festivals. Matere was also respected as a mentor, supporting emerging talent and sharing her experience through training, workshops, and masterclasses.
Colleagues in the industry paid tribute to her legacy following news of her death. The Kenya Film Commission described her as a creative force whose influence would remain “enduring and profound,” and actors who worked with her remembered her guidance and support.
Appie Matere is being mourned across the African film community. She is survived by her child.
