The Shadow Scholars

Gain insight into a unique phenomenon: How Kenyan academics write university assignments for students in the West.

It is both tragic and tragicomic: There exists a billion-dollar industry in which highly educated Kenyans write academic papers for students in Western countries. Director Eloise King follows Oxford professor Patricia Kingori as she travels to Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, to gain an overview of the phenomenon and meet the ghostwriters. We gain a unique insight into a ruthless industry based on poor pay, inhumane deadlines, and a lack of credit, with deep colonial roots.

Jon Sæter

The Critical Room: A New Academic Colonialism

After the film, we invite you to a conversation with the film's director, Eloise King, about how she approached making the film, her collaboration with Professor Patricia Kingori, and what this unusual but surprisingly widespread form of academic cheating says about deep-rooted colonial structures in the international community.

Director's Talk

Director Eloïse King is attending the festival with her film. Following the screening on Tuesday, NOV 11 at 18.00 in Vega 3, she will attend a conversation after the film.