Discussion Guide
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-10
Grades 11-12

Made in Ethiopia: Discussion Guide

Using This Guide

This guide is an invitation to dialogue. It is based on a belief in the power of human connection and is designed for people who want to use Made in Ethiopia to engage family, friends, classmates, colleagues, and communities. In contrast to initiatives that foster debates in which participants try to convince others that they are right, this document envisions conversations undertaken in a spirit of openness in which people try to understand one another and expand their thinking by sharing viewpoints and listening actively.

The discussion prompts are intentionally crafted to help a wide range of audiences think more deeply about the issues in the film. Rather than attempting to address them all, choose one or two that best meet your needs and interests. Be sure to leave time to consider taking action. Planning next steps can help people leave the room feeling energized and optimistic, even in instances when conversations have been difficult.

For more detailed event planning and facilitation tips, visit https://communitynetwork.amdoc.org/.

Sources

About the authors

Leul Shoaferaw

Leul is a versatile media entrepreneur, producer, and creative strategist, shaping Ethiopia’s creative landscape through filmmaking, festival curation, talent management, and media diplomacy. A graduate of Addis Ababa University in Political Science & International Relations, he has championed impactful storytelling and industry collaborations since 2017.

Leul’s debut short film Plumes Blanches (White Feathers) (2019) premiered at FESPACO, the New York African Film Festival (AFF), and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF). Beyond directing, his producing portfolio includes the anthology limited series Addis Love (2025) for South African pay-TV company M-Net, collaborating with emerging Ethiopian writer/directors to amplify authentic narratives.

Leul is an alumnus of Talents Durban, the Great Lakes Creative Producers Lab, the African European Distribution Academy (AEDA), and the DW Akademie Film Development Fund. He is attending the Locarno Film Festival’s Open Doors 2025 edition with his project The Headstone, a coming-of-age story about a son and father attempting to reconnect after a civil war that kept them apart for years. Leul’s vision for Ethiopia’s creative sector is to develop a sustainable, competitive ecosystem that bridges local and global markets. In addition to his producing work, he engages in impact campaigns for documentary films and moderates film-related conversations and panels.

Author photo