with soul
Jabeza Films is an Afro-German production company founded by Jane Chirwa and Benita Bailey. We tell empowering, socially relevant stories from intersectional perspectives.
Benita
Bailey
is an award-winning Ethiopian-German actress, filmmaker, and cultural producer whose work bridges continents, disciplines, and narratives. With a background in International Relations and African Studies from the University of Leipzig and Hong Kong Baptist University—and professional experience with the UN and German government in New York, Beijing, and Berlin—she brings a uniquely global lens to storytelling.
As a filmmaker and performer, Benita creates bold, socially relevant work that challenges dominant narratives and centers Black voices. On screen, Benita stars in several TV shows, including the lead role in PFLEGIONÄRIN on ARD Mediathek. On stage, she has performed at acclaimed venues such as the Maxim Gorki Theater and Deutsches Theater Berlin, and will soon appear at the National Theater Weimar. She is the creator and host of her own video podcast #yellit , celebrating Black icons of TV and film. In 2024, she received the prestigious DEI Achievement Award, and in 2022, was named one of Focus magazine’s “100 Women of the Year” for her cultural impact and advocacy against everyday racism.
She is also a founding board member of Schwarze Filmschaffende e.V., an organization championing Black filmmakers in Germany.
is a Zambian-German actress and filmmaker. After working with a theater ensemble, she appeared in German series such as „In aller Freundschaft – die jungen Ärzte“ (ARD) and international projects like „Sense 8“ (Netflix, directed by Lana Wachowski) and „3 Engel für Charlie“ (cinema; directed by Elizabeth Banks). In the film „Homeshoppers Paradise“, which premiered at the Hof Film Festival and was screened at the Black Harvest Film Festival in Chicago, Jane plays the lead role; a punk girl named Lisa. With the film „Clashing Differences,“ in which she is part of the main cast, she participated in the Munich Film Festival, Raindance Festival in London, and many other national and international festivals. „Clashing Differences“ won the First Steps Award and is currently on view via Arte and ZDF Mediathek. Most recently, Jane was seen at the 75th Berlinale with the film „Good Sister“. Additionally, she produces her own film and theater projects, in which she also directs.
Jane
Chirwa
Jane
Chirwa
is a Zambian-German actress and filmmaker. After working with a theater ensemble, she appeared in German series such as „In aller Freundschaft – die jungen Ärzte“ (ARD) and international projects like „Sense 8“ (Netflix, directed by Lana Wachowski) and „3 Engel für Charlie“ (cinema; directed by Elizabeth Banks). In the film „Homeshoppers Paradise“, which premiered at the Hof Film Festival and was screened at the Black Harvest Film Festival in Chicago, Jane plays the lead role; a punk girl named Lisa. With the film „Clashing Differences,“ in which she is part of the main cast, she participated in the Munich Film Festival, Raindance Festival in London, and many other national and international festivals. „Clashing Differences“ won the First Steps Award and is currently on view via Arte and ZDF Mediathek. Most recently, Jane was seen at the 75th Berlinale with the film „Good Sister“. Additionally, she produces her own film and theater projects, in which she also directs.
