The Rumba Kings has screened at more than 60 film festivals across four continents, won 13 awards, and received 11 nominations. The film has been seen by audiences across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
It was selected by The Guardian as one of the best foreign films of 2021, and featured in Rolling Stone, Songlines Magazine, TVE (Spain), TV5 and RTS (French-language international networks).
Key festival appearances included Sydney Film Festival, Brussels International Film Festival, DOXA Documentary Film Festival, DOC NYC, Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, and Peter Barakan's Music Film Festival in Japan, where the film was shown at several venues across the country.
Selected Awards:
- Best Music Documentary — Melbourne Documentary Film Festival
- Best Documentary — DOC'n Roll Film Festival, London
- Best Feature-Length Documentary — Festival International du Film Panafricain de Cannes
- Best Feature-Length Documentary — FICKIN, Festival International du Cinéma de Kinshasa
- Best Diaspora Documentary — African Movie Academy Awards
- Special Mention Jury Award for Best Documentary — Montreal International Black Film Festival
"A love letter to Congolese people."
— The Guardian, selected as one of the best foreign films of 2021.
"The Rumba Kings stands as the definitive documentary of one of the world's great musical forms."
— Songlines Magazine
"The Rumba Kings is a powerful musical experience that finally places Franco Luambo, Grand Kallé and Dr. Nico in their rightful place among the finest musicians of the world, all the while masterfully showing us why Congo is one of the motherlands of music."
— Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Editor, Oscar-winning When We Were Kings
"An amazing film. The beauty, dignity, talent and soul of Congo is perfectly represented. Everyone needs to see this film."
— Mark Johnson, Grammy-winning producer, Playing for Change
"This film fills a hole in our knowledge about how music traveled in the postcolonial black world. Beautifully shot and recorded, rich with archival material, its loving dedication to the music and the musicians lights up every frame."
— Ned Sublette, Author, Cuba and its Music
"The one film that all you music lovers have been waiting for."
— Pan African Music Magazine
The Rumba Kings is a joyous exploration of the liberating power of music.
In the 1950s, when the Democratic Republic of the Congo was still under harsh Belgian colonial rule, a generation of Congolese musicians decided to use popular music to fight back. They fused traditional African rhythms with Afro-Cuban sounds to create Congolese rumba — an infectious groove that carved out a space of freedom and resistance against the cruelty and humiliation of subjugation.
The beat never stopped. Congolese rumba carried the country through its quest for independence, producing the most famous African independence anthem ever written, conquering the entire continent with its captivating guitar sounds, and forging the identity of a nation. Artists like Franco Luambo and the OK Jazz orchestra, Grand Kallé and Dr. Nico and the African Jazz orchestra became as celebrated across Africa as any western rock band.
On one level, The Rumba Kings is the stunning story of how a sound was born and conquered a continent. On another, it is an emotional statement about how music can break barriers, heal wounds, and bring hope. Through original interviews, archival footage, and never-before-seen live performances, this is the journey of the sound that shaped a nation.
Sit back, press play, pump up the volume — and meet The Rumba Kings. Because Congo's real treasure does not lie underground.
What drives your commitment to social impact storytelling?
I've always been drawn to projects that amplify marginalized voices and challenge oppression—from documenting human rights for the United Nations, to exploring systemic inequality with the American Sociological Association, to creating The Rumba Kings, showing how music helped the Congolese forge resilience and cultural independence. Art begins with a thought about the need for change. As Amiri Baraka said, "To revere art and have no understanding of the process that forces it into existence, is finally not even to understand what art is."
Does music and sound play a special role in your work?
I'm a passionate music lover in constant search for the ultimate emotional connection through sound. The idea that music can bring hope and help people overcome oppression drove me to create the documentary film The Rumba Kings. But my connection with sound goes beyond directing or editing. For many years, I've worked hands-on with tube amplifiers, modifying circuits and designing audio components, to understand in detail how sound translates emotion.
Do you work remotely?
Yes, I collaborate with clients worldwide remotely and also work with clients in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC area for in-person projects.
What software and tools do you use?
I work with the full Adobe Creative Suite (Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, Photoshop), Final Cut X, Avid Media Composer, Waves Audio Suite, Topaz Video, and various AI-powered editing tools.
Do you use AI tools in your workflow?
I integrate AI tools throughout my workflow. Claude for research and scripting, AutoCut for editing efficiency, ElevenLabs for audio, Midjourney for storyboarding and mood boards, and Replicate for custom AI audio, image and video models. This allows me to deliver higher quality work more efficiently, which is particularly valuable for organizations working with tight budgets and timelines.
What languages do you speak?
English and Spanish (native fluency), and French (working proficiency). I've edited numerous French-language projects including the award-winning documentary 'The Rumba Kings.'
What's your typical response time?
I respond to project inquiries within 24-48 hours.
What types of projects do you take on?
I'm available for freelance projects including documentaries, commercials, corporate videos, and social media content for NGOs, nonprofits, educational institutions, and mission-driven organizations. I'm particularly drawn to projects that tell compelling stories and create social impact.
What languages do you speak?
English and Spanish (native fluency), and French (working proficiency). I've edited numerous French-language projects including the award-winning documentary 'The Rumba Kings.'
What's your typical response time?
I respond to project inquiries within 24-48 hours.
What types of projects do you take on?
I'm available for freelance projects including documentaries, commercials, corporate videos, and social media content for NGOs, nonprofits, educational institutions, and mission-driven organizations. I'm particularly drawn to projects that tell compelling stories and create social impact.
