Felixmasi Photography: Humanitarian Photography/Documentary

07/01/2026

Reflections on Dictatorship:
The recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the
escape of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad serve as a stark reminder of the
traits of dictators: an insatiable greed and the inability to recognize when
their time is up. These leaders cling to power, seemingly oblivious to the
consequences of their actions on their nations.
During my last assignment in Kinshasa, DR Congo, I covered the
decaying palace of Mobutu Sese Seko in the Kalamu neighborhood. This opulent
residence once stood as a testament to Mobutu's might, particularly showcased
during the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" fight between Muhammad Ali
and George Foreman.
Though the Stade Tata Raphaël remains, the palace grounds have
transformed, reflecting the post-Mobutu era. Yet, the memory of Ali's stay is
still vivid. Leading up to the bout, Mobutu ordered a brutal crackdown on
Congolese dissenters, with over 100 people slaughtered, their blood staining
the stadium and delaying the match as workers hurried to clean up the
aftermath. On the day of the fight, Mobutu chose to watch from his palace,
accompanied by the then-President of Uganda, Idi Amin, fearing a coup while
attending the event.
Despite his physical absence from the crowd of 60,000, Mobutu’s
enormous portrait loomed over the boxing ring, a reminder of his desire to
promote both his image and the nation of Zaire to the world.
A common trait observed among authoritarian regimes, including my
home country of Kenya, is their obsession with monuments and naming
institutions after themselves—a tactic to massage their egos. This tendency
raises a troubling issue: the extreme self-aggrandizement of leaders often
becomes a symbol of their desire to remain in power forever.
My mantra remains clear: we must document these stories to remind
ourselves that history tends to repeat. After all, there is no history without
images.
All pictures © Felix Masi2016

06/01/2026

Today marks five years since that fateful day when I found myself amidst the chaos at Capitol Hill, Washington DC. Armed with my camera, I ventured into the scary scene, determined to record history as it unfolded. This was more than just an event—this was a moment that would resonate throughout our democracy.
As a photojournalist, I faced immense challenges and threats in the aftermath. The hostility toward those who documented the events was disheartening, especially when so many of the individuals involved have now been pardoned. Yet, I stand firm in my belief that there is no history without photographs.
Freedom of the press is an essential pillar of democracy, and it is our duty to ensure that the truth is documented, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. Let us remember that every image captured in those chaotic moments tells a story, reflects our shared reality, and ensures that we do not forget the lessons of the past. I recently met Mr. Michael Fanone, during a Veteran's rally in DC, Mr Fanone is a former DC Police officer who was attacked during the Capital riot and the author of "Hold The Line" New York Times Bestseller.
As we look back, let us continue to advocate for freedom of PRESS, integrity, and the vital role of journalism in our society. "The greatest thing you can give yourself is freedom".

31/12/2025

It has been twenty years since I first stepped into my love for storytelling—since I made a conscious decision to tell our stories: my story, her story, and their stories, beyond the comfort of the mainstream. That decision emerged at a moment when I was running on empty, searching for meaning and purpose.
What I carried with me was a quiet but persistent longing—to travel, to witness, and to tell stories rooted in lived experience. Stories that felt honest. Stories that mattered. As the saying goes, the world is a canvas, and I chose storytelling as my way of leaving a mark.
Like many resilient children across Africa, my childhood was shaped by hardship and uncertainty. Constant transitions and difficult circumstances defined my early years. Yet through perseverance, I found stability. Through education, I found direction. And through those experiences, I found my voice.
These formative years shaped both who I am and why I tell stories today. They compelled me to share narratives of resilience—not only my own, but also those of individuals and communities who were never afforded the opportunity to escape extreme poverty. Storytelling, for me, is an act of remembrance and resistance. It is a way to offer dignity, visibility, and hope.
Through my work, I seek to empower others to rise above adversity and to remind disadvantaged children everywhere that their voices matter, their lives carry meaning, and their futures remain unwritten.
As we step into a new year, I'm filled with gratitude and optimism for the projects ahead. The past year brought recognition from several international film festivals—an affirmation not of an easy journey, but of a committed one. I did not choose the safest path; I recognized an opportunity and chose to claim it.
I remain guided by a simple belief: the best is yet to come. I wish you all the best on the road ahead 🙏

29/12/2025

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/12/22/napalm-girl-nick-ut-memory/?utm_campaign=wp_opinions&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwdGRzaAO-zRxjbGNrA77NEmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHnQzIpR_dZeQjyZgV3zrJjQo25eNEps3-5Gb3xOWXWYiMA2t6HTLYl1MjDn3_aem_SAV90h376YzIQEdvRk-7XQ

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24/12/2025

Dear friends and family, including FB family, as we unite with loved ones worldwide to celebrate the ultimate countdown to a brand new year in joyous festivity, I wish to extend heartfelt appreciation for the boundless love and unwavering support you've generously shared with me and those around us. Although this remarkable year brought its share of heartaches, triumphs, and trying times for numerous families and friends, it holds a special place in my heart. To each of you who played a pivotal role in bringing my films to global audiences, I express deepest gratitude - we celebrated resounding successes, garnered numerous awards, rekindled old friendships, and forged new ones, accumulating a wealth of accolades. Yet, our journey is far from over; exciting projects are brewing on the horizon, promising greatness! To my beloved family, I wish you all a year filled with boundless joy, profound love, and unparalleled productivity. Let's spread kindness wherever we go!

24/11/2025

On Friday, veterans and activists gathered outside Union Station in Washington, D.C. to participate in the Remove the Regime protests, increasing impeachment pressure on President Donald Trump before proceeding to protest outside The Heritage Foundation headquarters, a conservative research organisation. The rally concluded with a march to Capitol Hill, preceding the main rally on November 22nd at the Lincoln Memorial, which drew thousands of protesters. ©Felix Masi

23/11/2025

Today November 22ND,Thousands from across the United States, rallied at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. To protest against Trump Administration policies, and calling for Donald Trump's impeachment.

19/11/2025

What an honor to hear the Kenyan national anthem at the White House.

14/11/2025

I was truly inspired to be part of America's largest documentary film festival in Manhattan, New York, New York! The pitching session was my absolute favorite and getting to engage and interact with the audience was uplifting. This being the 16th edition of DOC NYC was a showcase to the power of storytelling and its ability to transform lives. There's always more to learn given the rapid change, the spirit of storytelling and getting to engage about a collection of films that speak to urgent global, national and personal stories is a true source of inspiration. This year was one of my most transformative years in my journey behind the lens, telling stories about Africa, about us and changing the narrative, a reason why Africans must tell their own stories and share their experiences with the world. DOC NYC also has a history of predicting Oscar nominees and winners, which is a true testament to its impact and influence. While I missed the deadline for submitting my story pitch, I had the honor of contributing among incredible creatives and respected filmmakers in the industry, which was an incredible learning experience and a chance to grow. This year I directed and produced two award-winning short documentary films, African Women Rising and Finding Solace, Finding Strength and it was humbling to introduce myself and share about my films, the success, take action/impact and the next project! The next chapter is not complete, stay tuned and support my work, support creatives, and let's continue to uplift each other and inspire one another. All the films pitched today were powerful, but my top favorite was the Anatomy of Life by the incredible Emma Francis-Snyder, a New York-based trailblazer and a true inspiration. Her directorial debut, Takeover, was nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy and shortlisted for an Academy Award. Emma's film about her late father is truly powerful, as she shared her up-close and personal experience of struggling with dementia, rekindled my childhood loss, I didn’t intend to make her cry, a moment that moved many in the audience to tears. Emma's story is a testament to the human spirit and deserves a global audience, as it is a poignant tale of love, tragedy, and hope that will uplift and inspire all who see it. Being honored and awarded the Best short-documentary film, 2025 New York International film festival, Paris Women Cinfest, London, Santa Monica International filmmaker award and many more was like a dream come true and a true validation of my hard work and dedication! We are not yet. Thank you DOC NYC y'all creatives and committed who give us hope.

07/11/2025

Nothing breaks beyond repair. Yesterday, I visited the University of Maryland to see my dear friend from Uganda, Victoria Merab Akinyi. I would like to share a story about how we met. We were almost two weeks into our stay in a new city, Kampala, Uganda, where the bodas (Uber Riders) were chaotic, like a disorganized puzzle, but I had to adapt and adjust to the new order. Fast forward, I saw a woman wearing a beautiful African outfit outside Caramel coffee shop and asked if she was the designer, but she kindly shared the designer's contact information.
What happens when you engage with people in a new country is that you connect and discover more. To summarize, when I met Victoria, I was impressed by her design space and presentation. Victoria shared her story and her cause with me, and I understood her passion. She asked if I could be her mentor, the same year, Victoria was fortunate to seize numerous opportunities. Victoria holds a master's degree in fine arts, is a 2023 Mandela Washington Fellow and a 2025 Global Peace-Worker Fellow at UMBC, where she is studying for a Masters in Community Leadership.

02/10/2025

Paying tribute to an extraordinary woman, Dr. Jane Goodall, the world learned invaluable lessons from her remarkable journey, though COVID lockdown hindered our chance to see her here in Washington DC, we were fortunate to have a one-on-one encounter two years ago during our mission in Uganda. May her enduring legacy inspire countless others across borders, illuminating their paths. May her memory be a blessing.