Yared Shumete

Yared Shumete was born in August 18 1982 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.  He finished high school at Black Lion senior secondary school in 2001 and began his career in film as an editor for a short movie in 2003 after studying Video and photography at TOM VPTC. He continued studying post production at 4 Corners school of multi media.

Before Yared became a filmmaker, he used to be interested in literature and theater starting from elementary. He also was the organizer of the weekly literary evening at Russian science and culture for 6 years until 2004.

Yared founded the Alatinos Filmmakers Association with fellow filmmakers in 2004 and is currrently the president of this association which now is one of the active film associations in Ethiopia working in educating young filmmakers by giving constant weakly training and discussion programs besides working on improving the current challenges of filmmaking in Ethiopia.

Yared has worked on 4 feature length fiction movies as an editor entitled ‘’ Siryet” ,“Albo”,”Dezdemona” and “Enkoklish” in 2007, 2008, 2009,and 2010 consecutively. Additionally, he has worked as an assistant director on an international film entitled “ Abay Vs Vegas” in 2010.

While working with the legendary African independent filmmaker Haile Gerima on his latest film “Teza”, Prof. Haile noticed Yared's desire for directing and talked him in to making short films. Yared was inspired by Prof. Haile Gerima and began writing short movie scripts along with previously written feature length screenplays.

He immediately responded by making “Democracy is Fair Play” for the Democracy video challenge competition after he received phone call from American Embassy.

"I thought of creating an idea: “Even if you are not on the top, you are still in the game” came in to my mind while I was discussing with my friend. Then I reflect it like this…. " said Yared Shumete.