Hello Beautiful Humans,
Most of you know me as a bold film producer and a passionate creative.
What many of you don’t know is that I had to learn how to speak up — not in a combative way, but in a way that uplifts, empowers, and makes room for other creatives to show up fully, passionately, and boldly in telling the African story.
I fell in love with the camera as a teenager. It wasn’t my first career path (I actually studied Criminology — wild, I know!), but as God would have it, film found me. It carried me on its back and brought me home to where I truly belong.
To me, film isn’t just a career — it’s life. It’s a burning passion. It’s my second love (Jesus, of course, is the first ❤️).
Now, as a new Executive Producer and the founder of Phoenix 7 Pictures, I carry a vision — to lead a team that tells African stories boldly, fearlessly, and unashamedly. I dream of film sets that feel like safe spaces, therapy sessions, and homes for creatives. I believe in this deeply: “The flame has already been lit. So now, let the African stories rise.”
Film is a powerful tool — one that mirrors, shapes, and challenges our society. And I, Sarah Owendi Ayitso, want to be part of that tool. I want to empower not just women, but every creative with a story. I want to amplify underrepresented voices, reshape narratives, and spark necessary conversations.
But let’s be real — this journey hasn’t been easy.
Being a newbie Executive Producer comes with its own mountain of challenges.
✅ Funding? Hurdle after hurdle.
✅ Assembling a reliable crew? Tougher than it looks.
✅ Navigating industry politics and unspoken gatekeeping? Whew.
✅ Fighting impostor syndrome and self-doubt? More often than I care to admit.
✅ The pressure to prove yourself? Absolutely real.
But I’m learning.
I’m giving myself grace.
I’m learning how to lead with empathy.
How to communicate effectively and build genuine connections.
How to balance creative vision with budgets and logistics.
How to pitch ideas with conviction.
How to stay grounded — mind, body, and spirit.
(Yes, I’ve even started working out more regularly just to keep the anxiety at bay!)
This is just a brief look into my world — the story of a newbie Executive Producer and founder of Phoenix 7 Pictures. The road is steep, but the vision is clear.
To every creative reading this: You belong. Your voice matters. And your story deserves to be told. Keep going.
Let the African stories rise.
With love,
Sarah Owendi Ayitso
Phoenix 7 Pictures