UP Film: Kenyan Actress, Belinda Owino, Making Major Moves in Hollywood

Lupita Nyong’o transcended barriers when she became the first East African to win an Oscar for her supporting role in the movie ‘12 Years a Slave” and has since become a darling of Hollywood. She has been joined by yet another Kenyan actress, Belinda Owino, who in 2013, featured as a background actress in Quentin Tarantino’s critically lauded feature ‘Django Unchained’. Last year saw her being handpicked by Tarantino himself for a featured role in his new film, ‘The Hateful Eight’.

The two movies have seen her act alongside Hollywood heavyweights, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson and Jamie Foxx, not to mention, working with one of the most acclaimed writer/producer/directors in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino.

In an interview with austinfusionmagazine.com, the budding starlet confirmed that she actually used to commute to New Orleans from Houston just so she could be an extra in the film, ‘Django Unchained’. It is this determination and passion for film that led one of the most influential and beloved film directors of the last 20 years to select her for another role.

Belinda Owino was born in Houston Texas, with a great passion for the performing arts. Belinda’s earlier training began at the historic Houston HITS Theatre, The Texas Renaissance Festival, and other local facilities along with starring in many play productions. Belinda also has a voice for singing and took part in talent showcases, winning first place two years in a row. Belinda graduated from The University of Texas Austin in the Fall of 2015 with a degree in film from the Department of radio, television, and film.

Catch Belinda in The Hateful Eight coming soon to the Westgate Cinema, Nairobi!

We’re excited to see what happens next for this bright young star in the making!

Still of Belinda Owino from Tarantino’s ‘Hateful Eight’