Theodros Teshome Kebede

Biography

Theodros Teshome Kebede is an Ethiopian filmmaker, producer, writer and actor who helped restart and grow modern cinema in Ethiopia from the early 2000s. He was born in Jimma and started as a photographer before making his first feature in 1996. Teshome writes, directs and often stars in his films, which mix social themes like HIV, immigration and violence against women with broader cultural stories. He directed and produced Kezkaza Welafegn and Abay vs. Vegas, two of the highest‑grossing films in Ethiopian history, and has continued with works like the Triangle series. He owns Teddy Studios and Sebastopol Entertainment, one of Ethiopia’s main film production companies, and runs the largest chain of private cinemas in the country. His work is credited with expanding local cinema infrastructure and bringing Ethiopian films to wider audiences. Teshome has also been recognized at festivals both in Africa and internationally.