New Film Studio Coming to Brentwood’s Gateway Arts Center

A new film studio is opening in December at Brentwood’s Gateway Arts Center.

Led by filmmaker Mignotae Kebede and her company THR33 Productions, Shewa Studios will be located at the nonprofit’s building at 3901 Rhode Island Ave., next to miXt Food Hall.

Kebede produced and directed the documentary film, “What Happened 2 Chocolate City,” which explored the rise and decline of the Black community in Washington, D.C. over the 20th century. She also directs everything from short films to music videos to live performances.

The studio takes its name from Shewa (ሸዋ in Amharic), a historical region of Ethiopia that is home to the capital of Addis Ababa.

Kebede has previously worked with the Gateway Community Development Corp. at the Gateway Media Arts Lab, part of its effort to expand film and media production on the Route 1 corridor.

The studio will hold a grand opening on Dec. 5 with live music, an interactive photo exhibit and an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

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