Our Production Process
Check the services we focus on below
Concept and Script Submission
Members submit film concepts and scripts. A committee reviews submissions for feasibility and alignment with ICUNI’s vision.
Community Voting
Vetted projects are presented for community voting. Members vote to select the projects they want to produce.
Pre-Production Planning
The Production Managers oversee budgeting, scheduling, casting, location scouting, and securing equipment.
Role Assignments
Once a project is chosen, roles are assigned based on members’ skills and interests, including directors, writers, actors, and crew.
Production
Filming takes place under the guidance of the director, with the crew executing the plan. The Production Managers ensure everything runs smoothly.
Post-Production
Editing, sound design, visual effects, and scoring are completed. The community may have input during this stage, especially in creative decisions.
Distribution and Promotion
The completed film is distributed through various channels, such as film festivals, online platforms, or local screenings.
Feedback and Reflection
After the film’s release, gather feedback from the community and audience to assess what worked well and what could be improved. Use this feedback to refine future projects.
Continuous Improvement
Implement lessons learned into the production process, enhancing efficiency, creativity, and collaboration within the community.
meet the team
Menelek Makonnen
Founder and President
Menelek Makonnen is the driving force behind ICUNI – a filmmaker, storyteller, and passionate community builder who believes in learning by doing. He taught himself the ropes of filmmaking the scrappy way, by jumping straight in. From organising his own first short, to moving to London to be closer to collaborators, he’s been DIY-ing filmmaking ever since . After the National Youth Film Academy gave him his first taste of a supportive network, Menelek spotted the gap it left when it folded. Instead of lamenting, he rallied friends and kindred spirits to build something leaner, bolder and more democratic – ICUNI (“I see you and I”) . As President, he still rolls up his sleeves on set, but his bigger mission is clear: strip away the gate-keeping, fund projects collectively, and make sure every member levels up by actually making films, not just talking about them. Ask him why he does it and he’ll flash a grin: “We’re filmmakers, not film-thinkers.” With Menelek at the helm, ICUNI is equal parts hustle, heart, and high-five – exactly the vibe you’ll feel the moment you join.
James Short
Vice President
James Short is a filmmaker and social media storyteller hailing from Dorset in South‑West England, whose work centers on young adults discovering their own voice in a world that often holds them back. His films explore coming‑of‑age themes with empathy and clarity, offering relatable characters for young people wrestling with identity, belonging, and resistance. Across each project, James seeks to create cinematic experiences that both resonate emotionally and shine light on voices often unheard. James also brings his visual storytelling sensibilities to social media content creation, working with businesses to craft narratives that align with brand objectives while engaging audiences with authenticity and creativity. Within ICUNI, James serves as Vice‑President, helping guide its mission to empower emerging filmmakers—not just by teaching, but by doing. His creative sensibility, rooted in empathy-driven storytelling and multimedia craft, makes him a natural leader in our community.