Our Founder

Abraham Haile Biru is one of the very few Africans in the cinematography profession. He received his degree from the Nederland Film and Television Academy (NFTA) where he specialized in camera and light. Over the last several years, Abraham has shot several films (documentaries and features) in more than 25 countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the United States.

Abraham Haile Biru is a two-times winner of the ‘Best Cinematographer’ award at the Fespaco International Film Festival, in 2007 and 2003, for the films Darrat (Dry Season),  and Abouna (Our Father) respectively. Darrat also won the ‘Special Jury Award’ at Vines International Film Festival in 2006.

 Abraham is one of the founders of Music Mayday, an initiative to promote communication, respect, and peace among youth through music and cultural exchanges. Abraham also founded the Black Lion of Africa Association which was committed to reflecting and introducing the culture of the African people through films.  During his stay in the Netherlands, Abraham served on the jury of the Rotterdam Kunst Stichting (Rotterdam Art Foundation) in the selection of film projects that qualify to receive production grants from the Rotterdam Art Foundation.

Returning to Ethiopia, Abraham established ’Blue Nile TV’ in 2006. Blue Nile TV produced and broadcast a twice-weekly entertainment program targeting the youth. Despite the success of the program, Blue Nile TV was terminated by the Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency a year after its launch.

Abraham Haile Biru is also the founder and director of Blue Nile Film and Television Academy, a pioneering film school in East Africa.  The school was established in recognition of the increasing demand for well-trained and qualified film and TV professionals in the Ethiopian film industry.  The Academy provides quality training in filmmaking for up to 20 talented young Ethiopians every year. Abraham also owns Blue Nile Toon (BNT) a film production company established under the Ethiopian trade law. In addition to local productions, BNT is also working in international co-productions. 

Currently, Abraham is presiding over the “Colours of the Nile International Film Festival” (CONIFF). The festival aims at promoting African cinema and fostering professional dialogue and exchange among African filmmakers. He is also the president of the Ethiopian Filmmakers Association.

Being one of the key figures of the African Film Industry, Abraham is elected as the east African secretary of the Federation of Pan African Filmmakers (FEPACI).