Walk into Sewmehon Yesmaw’s workplace, and you’ll instantly feel the creative hum. Cameras and lights scatter across the room, a lush garden peeks outside, and on the wall hangs a striking portrait of Professor Haile Gerima, his artistic idol.

Known to his friends as “Somic,” Sewmehon has become a rising star in Ethiopia’s film and music scene, blending emotional storytelling with a bold visual style that’s deeply rooted in his Gondar upbringing.

“Gondar’s yellow city center shaped my imagination," Somic says.
“That’s why I often bathe my scenes in yellow light, it's my way of symbolizing the sun.”

For him, cinematography isn’t just a technical craft; it's an emotional, bicultural language of light and memory.

Lighting Stories with Authenticity

Somic's approach is simple: make what you know, the way you know it.
This authenticity shines through in everything he touches, from TV dramas like ADEY to the music videos under his label, Bir Baux Music Records (named after a village famed for its Masinko players).

One standout project? "ENATWA GONDAR," a poignant video shot during a time of conflict.

"We filmed during a war. Yet weddings and celebrations still happened, even in darkness," he recalls.
"The blurred, low-lit scenes show resilience, the spirit of Gondar never fades."

Authenticity, he says, lies in observing life as it is: raw, complicated, and yet beautiful.

Humor Behind the Lens

Despite his intense themes, filming isn't all drama.
Somic laughs remembering older cast members grumbling during shoots:

"They were tired of hearing the same song over and over while dancing. They asked if we could switch the music, mid-scene!"

Redefining Ethiopian Music and Cinema

For Somic, Ethiopian instruments aren’t “traditional”, they are timeless.

"When we call them ‘traditional,’ it’s as if they’re outdated. But they are simply Ethiopian. No label needed."

This philosophy breathes through his work, where Ethiopian and African identities are celebrated, not categorized.

His music videos, like "Ardi", blending Shinasha beats with Gurage flair, and "Tizita Ze Chagni", fusing 80s Western fashion with Ethiopian soul, are vibrant proofs of a new, hybrid storytelling style.

Dreaming Bigger: A Museum for Ethiopian Cinema

Somic’s vision doesn't stop at film sets.
He dreams of transforming Dima Giorgis, a location from Fiker Eske Mekabir, into a cinema museum and cultural destination.

"We want people to experience the history, watch the drama, celebrate the traditions, and preserve the stories."

And yes, fans of Fiker Eske Mekabir, rejoice:
“The beloved drama is coming back!” he promises.

Inspired by Haile Gerima, Driven by Heart

Somic’s turning point came after watching Haile Gerima’s Teza.

"The scene where a mother falls to her knees to thank God because of her son’s coming back home, it changed how I see cinema. It showed me there’s another emotional dimension to filmmaking."

Since then, Somic’s goal has been crystal clear:
To elevate Ethiopian cinema and make Sewmehon Film Production a household name across East Africa.

And if the heartwarming “thank yous” he receives from elders are any indication, he’s well on his way.

Final Frame

Sewmehon Yesmaw, Somic, isn’t just filming stories. He’s weaving history, culture, and resilience into art, creating a cinematic legacy that Ethiopia, and the world, will remember.

Sewmehon Yesmaw: a Cinematic Visionary Rooted in Gondar