Two tenacious Nairobi women decide to transform what used to be a whites-only library until 1958 into a vibrant cultural hub. Along the way, they must navigate local politics, raise millions for the rebuild, and confront the lingering ghosts of Kenya's colonial past.

In 2017, Shiro Koinange (novelist), and Angela Wachuka (publisher), quit their jobs to restore a delapidated colonial-era library in bustling downtown Nairobi. Horrified at the condition of the historical, state-owned building, they successfully lobbied city officials to take-over management of the junk-filled library.
With zero experience in building, the pair find themselves broke and with a mammoth task ahead. But with an undying passion for books, and a unique flair for glamour, instagram, and finding funds where least expected, they activate an army of homegrown artists, intellectuals, tech developers, architects and writers, all energised to transform the space into a technological hub of creativity and learning for future generations. They call it Book Bunk.

mit | estrelado | starring | avec
Shiro Koinange, Angela Wachuka

ein film von | um filme de | a film by | un film de
Maia LEKOW, Christopher KING

Kenya, USA | 2025 | Feature documentary | 1h37

Original Title | Titre original :
How to Build a Library

Titel / Títulos / Titles / Titres :
Des bibliothèques contre l'ignorance

Filmgattung | Tipo | Type :
Largometraje Documental | Dokumentar | Feature documentary | Long métrage Documentaire

السنة | Produktionsjahr / Ano de Produção / Year of production / Année de production :
2025

المدة | Runtime | Durée : 97 mins (1h37)
البلد | Country | Pays : كينيا | Kenya | Kenya
Location | Lieux de tournage : Nairobi, KENYA
Language | Langues : ENGLISH, KISWAHILI
Format : 2K COLOR - 25P - 16:9


Producers | Producteurs :
Maia Lekow & Christopher King

Executive Producers | Producteurs délégués :
Roger Ross Williams,
Geoff Martz,
Judy Kibinge,
D.D. Wigley,
Maxyne Franklin,
Nikki Heyman,
Geralyn Dreyfous,
Regina K. Scully,
Tegan Acton,
Emma Pompetti,
Melony and Adam Lewis,
Jamie Wolf,
Nathalie Seaver

Co-executive Producer | Coproductrice déléguée (ou Coproductrice) :
Meryl Metni


REGISSEURIN / REGIA / REALIZADORA / DIRECTOR / RÉALISATRICE :
Maia LEKOW

REGISSEUR / REGIA / REALIZADOR / DIRECTOR / RÉALISATEUR :
Christopher KING

Screenplay | Scénario :
Maia Lekow,
Christopher King,
Ricardo Acosta

Cinematography | Images :
Christopher King,
Wambui ‘Bo' Muigai,
Emma Nzioka,
Ronald Ronics,
Nyasha Kadandara,
Timothy Mwaura,
Michael Onyiego,
Leon Malu,
Peter ‘Slim' Gitonga,
Stephen Ruiyi,
Amit Ramrakha,
Joe Mwihia

Sound | Ingénieurs du son :

Composers (Music) | Compositeurs (Musique) :
Katya Mihailova,
Maia Lekow,
Ken Myhr,
Daniel Hoffknecht

Editing | Montage :
Christopher King,
Ricardo Acosta C.C.E.,
Maia Lekow,
Michael Onyiego

Supervising Editor | Supervision du montage :
Maya Hawke

Consulting Producers | Conseillers à la production :
Sonia Nzilu Maingi,
Yvonne Welbon,
Biki Kangwana,
Peter Mudamba,
Emily Mkrtichian,
Megan Gelstein

Archival Researchers | Recherchistes (Archives) :
Chao Taiyana Maina,
Gioia Shah,
Ruth Mwikali.

Consulting Archive Producer :
Shanti Avirgan

Additional Editing | Montage additionnel :
Mkaiwawi Mwakaba,
Louiza Wanjiku

Assistant Editors | Assistants monteurs :
Peter'Slim' Gitonga,
Abel Waweru

Poster Design | Affiche du film :
Lulu Kitololo,
Vivek Marthur,
James Verdesoto,
Indika Design Studio.

(Poster) Photo by | Photo (affiche) par :
Paul Munene

PRODUKTION / PRODUÇÃO / PRODUCTION / PRODUCTION :
- Circle & Square Productions (Kenya)
- ONE STORY UP

WORLD SALES | Ventes :
AUTLOOK FILMSALES

With the Support of | Avec le soutien de :
The Godmother LLC
Ford Foundation Just Films
Artemis Rising Foundation
Good Gravy Films
Docubox
Sundance Documentary Film Program
Sundance Catalyst
Doc Society
Catapult Film Fund
Abigail E. Disney
Foothill Productions
Hot Docs Blue Ice
Chicken & Egg Pictures


CONTACT (Print Copy / Diffusion du film, Festivals) :
Circle & Square Productions Ltd.
PO Box 21351, Nairobi 00505 KENYA
circleandsquare(@)gmail.com | www.circleandsquare.tv



🏆🏆🏆 PREMIOS | AWARDS | PRIX 🏆🏆🏆 (selection) :
🏆 Special Jury Award - Documentary Feature (San Francisco International Film Festival 2025, USA)
🏆 Golden Alexander - Newcomers Competition (Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival 2025, Greece)
🏆 Special Mention (Best Arab Documentary Film) || El Gouna Film Festival 2025, Egypt)



FESTIVALS - PROJECÇÕES / FESTIVALS - SCREENINGS / PROJECTIONS (selection) :

/// 2025 | Nominee: Golden Gate Award || San Francisco International Film Festival (USA)
/// 2025 | 🏆 Special Jury Award (Documentary Feature) || San Francisco International Film Festival (USA) | "We honorably recognize How to Build a Library for its powerful and instructive exploration of the unfinished work of decolonization in Kenya. Directors Maia Lekow and Christopher King document the courage and resilience of Shiro and Angela as they reclaim a colonial institution for their community. With evocative storytelling, deft archival use, and remarkable access, How to Build a Library reminds us that meaningful change is possible through collective action."

/// 2025 | Nominee: Grand Jury Prize (World Cinema - Documentary) || Sundance Film Festival (USA)

/// 2025 | Nominee: Best Documentary || Zanzibar International Film Festival (Tanzanie)

/// 2025 | 🏆 Golden Alexander (Newcomers Competition) || Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival (Greece) | "This is a story of how individual conviction can challenge corruption, outdated systems, and political inertia to build community and reclaim a space of knowledge. With passion, the filmmakers expose the lasting imprints of colonialism while celebrating activism and the fight of two female friends for truly accessible public spaces; places where people can engage with their own narratives and histories. At a time when libraries around the world face ideological battles and funding shortages, this film is a reminder that knowledge must be defended!"

/// 2025 | Nominee: Grand Jury Prize (World Cinema - Documentary) || Sundance Film Festival (USA)

/// 2025 | 🏆 Special Mention (Best Arab Documentary Film) || El Gouna Film Festival (Egypt) | "From Nairobi, this film reminds us that in Africa and elsewhere, restoring a library is an act of resistance against erasing. At the same time, it offers us a profound reflection on how a nation can reclaim its history. In an age when globalization is reshaping our collective memory, it quietly but powerfully affirms that preserving knowledge is preserving our humanity. This is why we have decided to give a Special Mention to the film How to Build a Library, by Maia Lekow and Christopher King."

/// 2025 | Sélection || Afriques en Vision | BORDEAUX (France) | Filmmaker in attendance - En présence de la co-réalisatrice Maia LEKOW



Fuente / Fontes / Our Source / Quelle / Nos Sources (MAIS INFORMAÇÕES / READ MORE / PLUS D'INFOS) :
► Africiné Magazine (Dakar)
► www.instagram.com/how.to.build.a.library/
► www.circleandsquare.tv/how-to-build-a-library
► www.facebook.com/squarespace
► www.youtube.com/@circleandsquare
► https://institutdesafriques.org/agenda/how-to-build-a-library-afriques-en-vision/
► www.imdb.com/fr/title/tt21104356/
► www.film-documentaire.fr/4DACTION/w_fiche_film/76495
► About the film's protagonists: https://bookbunk.org/
Updated by Thierno DIA, 27 Nov 2025