Telling Stories That Matter

From UCBC student to entrepreneur, Kelly Mulisya is shaping a new voice for Congolese storytelling.

When Kelly Mulisya reflects on his time at UCBC, one lesson stands above the rest: he didn’t just learn how to earn a degree or be an employee, he learned how to build something of his own. Today, as an entrepreneur and co-founder of M.Cuts Production, that mindset continues to define his work.

Kelly’s journey into storytelling began before university, working with church media and editing footage. Over time, he expanded his skills, teaching in faculties focused on information and communication sciences. But UCBC sharpened his vision. He thrived under the university’s approach, which was half guided by professors and half driven by student initiative. This method pushed him to think independently and create with purpose.

After graduating, job opportunities didn’t immediately follow. Instead of waiting, Kelly and a group of friends asked a different question: what if they built something themselves? That question became M.Cuts Production.

“I said to myself, if it starts with an ‘M,’ like my name, it could become a unique style, something that leaves a mark,” he recalls.

What began as an idea quickly turned into a mission to fill a gap in quality production and tell stories that truly reflect their community. One of their defining achievements was La Voix des Oubliés (Voice of the Forgotten), a documentary highlighting children advocating for safety and peace in their city. The film reached audiences as far as Kinshasa and was even screened at the European Union.

UCBC’s continued trust in his work–commissioning documentaries and engaging with his productions–helped build his confidence. “When your own university consumes your content, it shows your training was solid,” he says.

Looking ahead, Kelly wants to see more Congolese stories being told by Congolese voices. For him, storytelling is not just a craft but a responsibility. He is excited about the talent that lies within the DRC and looks to the government to invest in the country’s human potential. He sees many opportunities in visual arts to authentically tell the stories of Congolese people and to elevate overlooked perspectives.

“There are so many stories to tell,” he says. “We shouldn’t wait for others to tell them for us.”