Canon Launches New “Visionaries” Series to Promote Inspiring African Voices

Canon’s new video interview series (Canon-CNA.com) puts the spotlight on pioneering voices from Africa, who are challenging stereotypes and ushering in a new era of change; The series features visionaries from Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt and offers a look at the challenges and successes they faced on their inspiring journeys; Shot on the EOS R5, EOS R6 and EOS C70 cameras, the series will provide a powerful platform to celebrate the talent and achievements of ordinary people, who have become icons of their generation.

Canon Central & North Africa (CCNA), a provider of imaging technologies and services, is proud to announce the launch of its ‘Visionaries’ interview video series in Africa. The series will serve as a powerful platform to promote and celebrate the achievements and impact of ordinary people in Africa, who have pushed boundaries and emerged as distinctive voices of their generation. There is a tremendous wealth of talent and countless examples of pioneering excellence across Africa and through the ‘Visionaries’ video series, Canon will shine a spotlight on those African voices, who are ushering in a new era of change. All interviews have been shot in documentary style on the game-changing EOS R5, EOS R6 and EOS C70 and are complemented by a special director’s testimonial that gives aspiring filmmakers and content creators access to how the interviews were filmed.

The African visionaries are: Kenyan businessman and environmentalist Nzambi Matee has made Kenya proud to be recognized as a leader in the global quest for sustainability by taking a powerful stand to combat the plastic waste challenge. He is a pioneer in recycling plastic waste into low-cost, durable plastic bricks that are stronger than concrete and can be used to build affordable homes. She also has the great honour of being awarded as ‘Young Champion of the Earth 2020 Africa’ (https://bit.ly/3Motnb9) by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for her innovative solution.

Nigerian comedian and entertainer, Ali Baba Akpobome, is a household name credited with changing the face of Nigerian comedy. As Nigeria‘s most awarded comedian, Ali Baba is associated with bringing Nigerian comedy into the spotlight and elevating what it means to be an artist. Overcoming many obstacles in his path, Ali Baba shows us how perseverance, dedication and hard work contributed to his rise to the top.

Egyptian couturier Hany El-Behairy is Egypt‘s most famous and sought after fashion designer, known for his haute couture creations and use of luxurious fabrics and trim. Hany has made history by custom designing the most expensive wedding dress in the world, estimated at US$15 million and is a favourite among celebrities and stars, including celebrated actress Yousra El Lozy. Throughout her journey to success, Hani broke many social and cultural stereotypes to become an inspiration to others.

“Canon is synonymous with being visionary, bold and innovative and we are committed to continuing this legacy, showcasing inspiring people driven by the same values, as they seek to challenge stereotypes and re-imagine what is possible. Africa is a continent dominated by changemakers and we want to offer them a platform where they can share their own stories, in their own words, to inspire the next generation of leaders. Nothing is impossible when you have determination, willpower and the ambition to succeed and we are proud to be able to share the unique and inspiring stories of Nzambi, Alibaba and Hany,” said Mai Youssef, director of corporate communications and marketing services at Canon Middle. East, Turkey and Central and North Africa.

The campaign was shot on three of Canon’s groundbreaking cameras: The EOS C70 camera, which is Canon’s first RF mount cinema EOS camera and also features the smallest and lightest body in the EOS system. The EOS R5, which is the first professional-grade full-frame mirrorless camera capable of shooting 8K RAW and delivering 45-megapixel still images, and the EOS R6, which is an incredibly versatile camera capable of shooting in 4K resolution and shooting 20.1 megapixel still images.

All interviews are accompanied by a special Behind the Scenes (BTS) segment featuring testimonials from three directors, sharing pro tips on how each of the videos came to be: John Wambugu was able to achieve his artistic goal of bringing Nzambi Matee’s inspiring story to life with the help of a wide range of dynamic, close-up and wide-angle shots with the exceptional RF 50mm F1.2 L USM and RF 28- 70mm F2L USM objectives.

Daniel Ehimen takes us into the world of Alibaba and the world of entertainment with his Canon EOS C70 and shares tips and tricks on how to maximize the different capabilities, modes and functions of the exceptional cinema camera, as well as RF lenses.

Gregor Amon takes us behind the glitz, glamour, and fast-paced action of the Hani El-Behairy fashion show. Backed by his RF and EF lenses, Gregor shares his pro tips and insider knowledge for making movies on the go, in a fast-paced environment.