After losing his father and brother to corrupt armed forces in the Congo, Mermans 'Mofaya' Mosengo had no choice but to escape. This is a real life epic adventure about how Mofaya smuggled himself across Africa in trains, planes and automobiles with his guitar as a guiding light. Mofaya's musical talent became his spiritual passport that has inspired millions of people around the world.
So let us take the lessons Mofaya has taught us: to never give up on our dreams, to cherish our loved ones, and to use our talents and passions to make a positive impact in the world.
Mofaya Music School
Where Dreams Sing!
After receiving his Green Card and becoming a citizen of the United States, Mofaya has a dream to return home to create the Mofaya Music School where children of the Congo will be able to immerse themselves in their rich cultural heritage.
Through his music, Mofaya found a way to connect with people from all walks of life, to share his story, and to spread a message of hope and resilience. Mofaya’s talent and determination became his spiritual passport, allowing him to cross borders and overcome barriers that would have seemed insurmountable to others.
VISIT OUR DOCUMENTARY HEREMofaya had a dream to return home to create the Mofaya Music School where Congolese children will be able to craft traditional instruments, play music, and gain insights into the history and significance of their culture.
Beyond the classroom, students will have the opportunity to record and share music with the world, fostering a sense of pride and unity. The Mofaya Music School underscores the transformative power of music and preserving artistic expression for generations to come.
Mermans ‘Mofaya’ Mosengo
Mofaya's journey speaks to the power of human spirit, the strength of family bonds, and the transformative power of music.
It reminds us that in the face of adversity, we can choose to hold on to our dreams and pursue them with courage and tenacity.
In 2019, Mofaya received his Green Card guaranteeing him permanent citizenship into the United States
Jason Tamba
Jason started playing music at the age of seven. He built his first guitar out of wood and four strings. After learning on his own, Jason proudly earned a degree in classical guitar.
Alongside Mofaya, Jason received his Green Card guaranteeing him permanent citizenship into the United States in 2019.
Jesse Bernstein
Born in New York and raised in Texas, Jesse has always been fascinated with storytelling.
With a Film degree from the University of Texas at Austin, Jesse moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of working in entertainment. After building an acting career that has spanned more that two decades, Jesse realized that his true passion was behind the camera. With the ability to provoke thought, capture authentic emotions and shed light on important topics, Jesse found himself drawn to documentary filmmaking.
Andy Weiss
Andy Weiss’ foray into crafting scenes that reflect larger than life characters dealing with over-the-top situations began after his first feature film as a Writer and Producer on the hit MTV series “Punk’d.”
Shortly after he would work alongside George Gallo as Co-Writer and Co-Executive Producer of the feature film MIDDLE MEN and other documentaries.
Most recently, Andy wrote the feature film THE WAR OF 84 for Netflix with Screen Arcade and Move Films producing.
Michael W. Abbott
Michael W. Abbott is a Los Angeles based Producer & Director whose work has premiered at Sundance and Cannes and has also become some of the most watched films on Netflix, Showtime, Hulu and Amazon. Move Films is his production company.
Abbott has produced award winning documentary branded content for Microsoft, Namco-Bandai Games, Marriott Hotels and GM/Cadillac and most recently, Olivia Rodrigo.
Mike Weiss
Michael J. Weiss has 23 years in litigation and transactional practice with expertise in:
Motion Picture & Television Finance, Production, and Distribution.
Served as production, finance, and/or distribution counsel on more than 100 productions.
Represented numerous writers, directors, and producers in thousands of transactions including book publishing agreements, option purchase agreements, shopping agreements, writer and director services engagements, "Life Rights" releases, and estate licenses.
Debbie Vandermeulen
Debbie has 30+ years of experience mentoring dozens of filmmakers. Passionate about translating profound and
meaningful stories into impactful pieces of cinematic entertainment, her films have been recognized at
international film festivals, including Cannes, Sundance, and Toronto. She has chaired, judged, and participated in numerous prominent film festivals around the world.
As Founder of Fusion Features, Debbie has been successful in building enduring collaborative relationships among entertainment, corporate, education, sports, radio, nonprofit, government and community partners. Adept at establishing strategic alliances, Debbie is uniquely able to acquire talent and create win-win strategies.
Breathe Project
The Breathe Project activates socially conscious endeavors by providing opportunities for creatives to inform and inspire. We support artists and their works that tackle our modern challenges through the lens of theatre, cinema, music & fine arts.
Scout
Meet Scout, the brave loved Chihuahua Terrier rescue who not only assisted behind the scenes with her unwavering loyalty and charm but also makes a memorable appearance in the film, showcasing her endearing spirit and dedication to the project.
Mermans 'Mofaya' Mosengo and Jesse Bernstein met in 2023 in Venice Beach, CA when Mofaya was traveling the world and playing music on an O-1 Visa.
Mofaya got the opportunity to return to Africa to move his family to California. Jesse asked if he could document the journey. This is when the idea for the documentary was born.
Mofaya notified Jesse of his dream to return to build a music school for children in his hometown in Kinshasa, DRC. This is when the idea for the school was born.