African cinema is gaining global recognition, but recognition alone does not build a sustainable film industry. Behind every successful production is a question that is often less visible: where does the money come from to develop, produce and distribute African stories, and who is willing to take the financial risk?

That question was at the centre of the inaugural African Film Investor Roundtable, held in Cape Town in July, bringing together 13 investors, 11 African producers and industry experts to focus on a challenge facing filmmakers across the continent: how to move from talented producers and compelling stories to a film industry that can attract serious, sustainable investment. The discussions included how to reduce risk across the film value chain, structure financing and unlock the value of intellectual property.

We spoke to Wakiuru Njuguna, Managing Partner of the HEVA Fund about this.