16 Sep Ji.hlava Emerging Producer 2025
IEFTA has collaborated with the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival to sponsor the participant of the 2025/ 2026 Emerging Producers Guest Country, which this year was Sub-Saharan Africa. The selected participant is Nahusenay Dereje from Ethiopia, who is the producer of “The Fortunate”.
The Fortunate
A film by Habtamu Gebrehiwot
In Dante, a small Ethiopian town scarred by unemployment, where restless youth dream of fleeing abroad and drown their despair in beer. Breweries fuel false hope with endless prize promotions—the ultimate reward: a car. Mateyos, a pastor of a Baptist church, lives between two worlds. By day, he is a passionate minister, praised for his recovery program; by night, he secretly falls prey to the same sin he condemns. Then, in a cruel twist of irony, The Fortunate is he—when his beer wins the coveted car. Claiming it risks exposure; silence means surrender. Meanwhile, Rahel, a choir member, seeks his help for her boyfriend Tare, whose drinking deepened after a crippling accident. During Mateyos’ visits, rumors spread that someone has won the prize, and his nervous behavior arouses suspicion. Tare grows convinced the pastor knows more than he admits. Their eventual confrontation spirals into a dangerous standoff, forcing both men to face their demons and threatening the fragile hope they’ve helped restore.
Nahusenay Dereje (Ethiopia)
PRODUCER
Nahu is an Ethiopian-born film producer and rising talent in East Africa’s film industry. A graduate of the MultiChoice Talent Academy in Nairobi, he produced Cheza, winner of the Kalasha Award for Best Picture. He later founded MTF Multimedia, producing short films, a TV series for Ethiopian National Television, and projects for Showmax. In 2024, he joined the Great Lakes Creative Lab, won entry into the EFM Toolbox, and completed the Durban FilmMart Business Lab. His short film The Fortunate, supported by a €20,000 DW grant, screened at the 2025 European Film Market. He is part of Locarno Open Doors 2025 and Ji.hlava IDFF Emerging Producers 2026.