Asante Sana Films is a boutique film company formed by Matt Palmer, Petros Danabassis, and Kaari M Autry in 2006. This dynamic partnership was formed with the goal of producing quality feature documentary, dramatic films, television series as well as high-end corporate videos and commercials. Asante Sana is the Swahili phrase for “thank you very much”, and this emphasis on the human spirit and gratitude is the guiding force behind every project. Asante Sana Films strives to tell stories that enlighten and enrich the audience. Another key objective is producing projects that have strong educational components, through curriculum material delivered via web-based learning modules. Asante Sana Films is committed to producing programming about world issues in a way that engages relevant and reasoned discussion and debate.
 
For the past year Asante Sana has produced a feature documentary film, “ Letters from Litein”. The film follows the emotional journey of a group of elementary students, teachers and parents from Calgary reaching out from half way across the world to touch the hearts of orphans in a small village in Kenya. Our film follows the unexpected connections made with the kids from Orphanage and the surrounding community and emotional struggles of the group as they try to decide what are the most critical areas that they can help with in the 10 days they have with the kids.
 
Production of the film is now complete and Asante Sana plans to show the film in Litein August 2007 as well as premier at the Toronto film festival in September 2007. Please click on on link to see the “ Letter’s from Litein” film trailer. Along with the completion of the film Asante Sana Films has now begun working on an educational web based learning module and may have the opportunity in the future to partner with the Calgary board of Education on the website.
 
Asante Sana partnered with the Mary Tidlund Charitable Foundation for this project as we share the same vision “ to grow and work together as a creative part of our world community”…and having a strong educational component as a part of our film.
 
Asante Sana raised $250,000 in 2006/2007. This was accomplished through private donations, fundraising events, government grants and tax credits.
 
Asante Sana Films has funded the remaining costs of producing the film through personal means and bank loans. In May 2007 Asante Sana will hold another fundraising event with the goal of raising the remaining money to repay funds borrowed to complete the project.
 
All profits from the film will go to the children of Litein.
 
Invitation to June 26th, 2007 pre-screening
 
www.lettersfromlitein.com