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Maia Lekow & Christopher King
KE 2025 110'
⚬ Current Affairs & Politics
Two intrepid 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.
"a fascinating look at the power of individual action, and a thought-provoking study of colonisation, freedom and representation" - Screendaily
"a captivating tale of perseverance in the face of adversities" - POV Magazine
Director | Maia Lekow, Christopher King |
Producers | Maia Lekow, Christopher King |
Executive Producers | Roger Ross Williams, Geoff Martz, Judy Kibinge, Geralyn Dreyfous, Regina K. Scully, Jamie Wolf, Natalie Seaver |
Production Company | Circle and Square Productions |
Cinematography | Christopher King, Wambui Muigai, Emma Nzicka, Ronald Ronics, Nyasha Kadandara, Tomothy Mwaura, Michael Onyiego, Steve Ruiyi |
Editor | Christopher King, Ricardo Acosta |
Supverising Editor | Maya Hawke |
Music | Katya Mihailova, Maia Lekow, Daniel Hoffknecht |
Golden Alexander Newcomers International Competition | Thessaloniki International Doc Fest 2025 |
Honorable Mention for Best Documentary | San Francisco IFF 2025 |
Sundance 2025 |
True/ False FF 2025 |
CPH:DOX 2025 |
Thessaloniki Doc Fest 2025 |
San Francisco IFF 2025 |
Docs Barcelona 2025 |
DOK.fest Munich 2025 |
Sydney FF 2025 |
Dokumentale 2025 |
DocEdge 2025 |
| Runtime | 110' |
| Spoken Languages | English, Kiswahili |
| Production Countries | Kenya |
Maia Lekow is an award-winning Kenyan director, producer, composer, sound recordist, and musician whose multidisciplinary approach fosters intimate and emotionally resonant storytelling. Her debut feature documentary, The Letter 2019, was Kenya’s official submission to the 93rd Academy Awards, earning international acclaim for its tender and powerful portrait of family, religion and intergenerational conflict. Her second feature, How to Build a Library, premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and is currently touring major film festivals worldwide. Working alongside her husband and creative partner, Christopher King, the duo tell deeply personal, multi-layered stories that explore identity, culture, resilience, and the legacies of colonialism. Together, they are currently in post-production on their third feature documentary set for release in 2026. Maia’s work continues to amplify African voices, celebrate the strength of women, and interrogate the intersections of history, memory, and community.
Christopher King is an award-winning director, editor, cinematographer, and producer originally from Melbourne, Australia, who has called Nairobi, Kenya home since 2007. He co-founded the Nairobi-based production company Circle & Square Productions with his wife and creative partner, Maia Lekow. Together, they craft deeply observational, cinematic documentaries that bridge continents and challenge narratives. Their debut feature, The Letter, was Kenya’s official submission to the 93rd Academy Awards, earning international acclaim for its intimate style. Their second feature, How to Build a Library, premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and is currently on a global festival tour. With a visual style rooted in patience and intimacy, Christopher’s work captures the poetry of real life while interrogating the legacies of history and power. The duo are now in post-production on their third feature documentary, slated for release in 2026.
