Pumzi (2009)
A landmark Afrofuturist short film from Kenya envisioning a desperate, waterless world — and one woman's defiant act of hope.
Pumzi - Movie Information
- Release Year: 2009
- Directed by: Wanuri Kahiu
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Drama
- Runtime: 21m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 20, 2009 (Kenya), July 10, 2010 (United States), November 8, 2019 (Germany)
- Production Companies: Inspired Minority Pictures
- Production Countries: South Africa, Kenya
Pumzi - Plot
A sci-fi film about futuristic Africa, 35 years after World War III, 'The Water War'.
Pumzi - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and experience the haunting world of Pumzi for yourself.
The outside is dead.
Where to Watch Pumzi
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Pumzi - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Wanuri Kahiu
Main Cast
- Chantelle Burger
- Kudzani Moswela
- Tammy Richards
- Nicole Bailey
- Freddy Djanabia
- Anton David Jeftha
- Arthur Cornelisser
- Marius Botha
- Marlon Ryneveldt
- Trymore Ndhlovu
Writers
- Wanuri Kahiu
Producers
- Simon Hansen
- Hannah Slezacek
Pumzi - FAQs
What is Pumzi about?
Pumzi is a Kenyan Afrofuturist short film set 35 years after World War III, known as 'The Water War.' A young museum curator living in a sealed underground community discovers a germinating seed and risks everything to plant it in the barren outside world, defying authority in search of life and hope.
Is Pumzi a short film or a feature film?
Pumzi is a short film with a runtime of just 21 minutes. Despite its brief length, it delivers a fully realized science fiction world and has earned widespread critical acclaim and festival recognition, making it one of the most celebrated African short films ever produced.
Who directed Pumzi?
Pumzi was written and directed by Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu. She is widely recognized as a pioneering voice in African cinema and Afrofuturism. Kahiu later gained international attention for her 2018 feature Rafiki, which became the first Kenyan film submitted for Oscar consideration.
Where can I watch Pumzi online?
Pumzi has been screened at major international film festivals and is available through select online platforms. You can check current streaming availability and viewing options for your region via JustWatch, which tracks where the film can be rented, purchased, or streamed.
Did Pumzi win any awards or festival recognition?
Yes. Pumzi premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010 in the World Cinema Short Film category, marking a landmark moment for African science fiction. It has since screened at numerous international festivals and is widely praised as a groundbreaking work in Afrofuturist and speculative fiction cinema.
What themes does Pumzi explore?
Pumzi explores themes of environmental collapse, water scarcity, authoritarian control, and individual resistance. It also engages deeply with Afrofuturism — imagining an African future shaped by ecological catastrophe — and raises urgent questions about survival, hope, and humanity's relationship with the natural world.
What genre is Pumzi?
Pumzi is a Science Fiction and Drama short film. It is frequently categorized within the Afrofuturism subgenre, which reimagines African identities and futures through speculative and science fiction storytelling. Its dystopian setting and ecological themes give it a distinctly thought-provoking dramatic weight.
When was Pumzi released?
Pumzi was first released in Kenya on October 20, 2009. It received its United States release on July 10, 2010, following its celebrated premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. A later release in Germany followed on November 8, 2019, expanding its international reach.
More About Pumzi
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