TL;DR: This brand film is part 2 of 3 short films I made for Ethio Gabana, a specialty coffee company founded in Ethiopia by Ethiopians. It's a brand film about community, and I shot it in Ethiopia in 2020.
I was fortunate enough to film Ethio Gabana's process and brand story, and I traveled all over the country to do it. Part 1 was the coffee. Part 2 was the people. All 3 films are on my brand film and motion work page.
What is it like to film a coffee company's community work in Ethiopia?
Filming Ethio Gabana's community work took me to its Anderacha and Bochesa sites, and to the people the company helps there. At each site, Ethio Gabana installs a clean water pump so the local community has safe drinking water. When I first wrote this post, the company was building a school at Anderacha, renovating one near Bochesa and helping supply it with educational materials.
I saw the schools in person, and the kids really made the shoot. They were running around, clapping and playing, and every one of them was eager to help. When I needed a key shot, they ran out the door, excited to give it to me. That joy, and the vibrancy of everyone working with them, is what stays with me.
Who is Meron in the Ethio Gabana community film?
Meron is an Ethio Gabana staff member whose work included community engagement. She was always off to the side, talking with the residents, smiling with them and helping them with things.
I was impressed with her character. I could tell Meron really cared about the people. She served them, she didn't want to let them down, and she wanted them to have better lives.
Who directs brand films for coffee companies?
I directed the Ethio Gabana community film in 2020, along with the other 2 films in the series. I also wrote the scripts, shot them as DP, produced them and edited them. Ethio Gabana put the films to work on its website, on social, in presentations and across its general marketing. My commercial case studies show more of that work.
Where can you watch the other Ethio Gabana brand films?
The Ethio Gabana series is 3 short films, and this community film is part 2. I shot part 1 of the Ethio Gabana series, about the coffee, in Yirgacheffe, where I learned the difference between washed and natural processing. Part 3, Meet Worku Beyenu, is about a farmer who takes care of his family by growing boutique coffee. He and his family were kind, wise and welcoming.
Can a brand film tell your company's community story?
A brand film can tell a company's community story, and that's the job I did for Ethio Gabana. I'm an Orlando-based director, and I'd like to hear about your coffee, beverage or lifestyle brand.
Does your brand have a social benefit component? If so, tell me about your community story and we can talk about how to best share it with your audience.