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Released in 2006 and directed by Helen Tadesse, Sara dared to confront the painful reality of sexual abuse and the silence surrounding it. At a time when women's contributions to Ethiopian cinema received limited attention, the film also stood out as a work by a pioneering female filmmaker. Nearly two decades later, Sara remains a reminder of cinema's power to tell difficult stories and spark important conversations. Do you remember watching Sara? What made it unforgettable for you? Read the latest edition of LinkUp Addis Magazine: https://bit.ly/4B2k8Hr @linkupaddis

What happens when your pain and tears have no place in the world? When you’re told to man up instead of being given the space to process what you’re going through? And what happens when you can’t just power through the pain? In Ethiopia, sexual violence against men and boys remains a subject rarely spoken about. Behind the silence are survivors whose experiences are dismissed, while society leaves the crime and its perpetrators in the open and its victims still remain behind closed doors. Today, we explore the largely uncharted world of sexual violence against men, and ask why we continue to refuse to talk about it. Read more: https://www.linkupaddis.com/article/573?source=copy&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share @linkuppremium

From connecting African designers to global fashion markets to putting African talent on the international stage, Skander Negassi is helping shape the future of African fashion. As the founder and CEO of African Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW), he has spent years building connections between African fashion and the global industry. This time on Close Up, we sit down with Skander Negassi to talk about his journey, the vision behind ASFW, and the opportunities shaping the future of African fashion. https://www.linkupaddis.com/films/asfw?source=copy&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share @linkuppremium

Kuriftu Hospitality Group takes its Pan-African Tourism Roadshow to Côte d’Ivoire, bringing Ethiopian hospitality offerings to the West African market and exploring new opportunities for tourism, cultural exchange and cross-border business partnerships. Following stops in Kenya and Abidjan, Nigeria is set to be the next destination in the group’s campaign to connect African tourism markets. Follow the link to read more: https://www.linkupaddis.com/article/572?source=copy&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share @linkuppremium

The October 2026 Issue of LinkUp Addis Magazine is Here! ​In this month’s LinkUp Magazine cover story, we sit down with Skander Negassi, the founder of Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW), to discuss fashion, industry growth, and global opportunities. We also explore TEDx Arada, an in-depth film review of the movie Oppenheimerplus, the latest in local culture, music, and art across Addis Ababa! Tap the link below to read the full October issue now! https://www.linkupaddis.com/magazine/linkup-october-2026?source=copy&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share @linkupaddis

Does spending feel weird? When digital payments like Telebirr and solutions from fintech startups strip away the physical friction of handing over cash, parting with your money stops feeling real. Without that natural "pain of paying" to slow you down, endless micro transactions quietly drain your paycheck before you even notice. In today's article, we explore the growing digital economy in Addis to finally answer the question: Is the explosive rise of digital payments costing us our financial future? Read more: https://www.linkupaddis.com/article/571?source=copy&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share @linkuppremium

In Ethiopia, owning a phone doesn’t always mean having access to the digital world. From limited digital skills to affordability and connectivity, women still face barriers to getting online. But there’s progress, too. Women’s awareness of mobile internet increased by 6 percentage points between 2024 and 2025. The question is no longer just who owns a phone, but who gets to use its full potential. Vist our website for more articles: https://www.linkupaddis.com/login @linkuppremium

Skincare may look like self-care, but for many women, it has become another monthly expense. In Addis Ababa, women are navigating rising beauty costs, social media pressure and the expectation to always look put together. For some, that means cutting back elsewhere. For others, it means finding cheaper alternatives and making do with what they can afford. Read more : https://www.linkupaddis.com/article/570?source=copy&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share @linkuppremium

What if the stranger you passed on the streets of Addis wasn’t just a stranger? Across the city, stories of sudden robberies have begun to share an unsettling pattern: a brief encounter, a strange moment of confusion, and then a missing phone, wallet, or even hours of memory. But what could be causing it? Our latest investigation follows one such story and looks into the mysterious drugs often blamed for these incidents, including the infamous “Devil’s Breath.” But the truth may be more complicated than the name suggests. Today we will try to answer an uncomfortable question, How much control can someone take from you without you even realizing it? Read the full article here: https://www.linkupaddis.com/article/569?source=copy&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share @linkuppremium

​LinkUp is looking for Intern Sales and Marketing Associate to join the team. The role offers hands-on experience in sales strategy, brand outreach, and campaign execution within a fast-paced environment. ​Applicants who are eager to grow their career in sales and marketing can apply by filling the form below. https://forms.gle/pN1x1ZNfU5FR24dR7 @linkupaddis

Ethiopia’s fashion story takes the global stage. At the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow, Mahlet Teklemariam showcased Ethiopia’s weaving traditions and the potential of its growing fashion industry. Read the full article: https://www.linkupaddis.com/article/568?source=copy&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share @linkuppremium

AI generated music is no longer some distant possibility it’s already on Ethiopian TikTok feeds, at events, and increasingly inside the music making process itself. Some hear cleaner vocals, endless creativity, and a new tool for artists. Others hear something much more unsettling: music that can sound emotional without ever having lived the emotion. As AI gets harder to distinguish from human made music, where does that leave the artists, the audience, and the soul of the music we call our own? Read the full Article here: https://www.linkupaddis.com/article/566?source=copy&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share @linkuppremium

Coming home to build a business comes with its own challenges. At Founders’ Lounge Vol. VIII, Meljaye Simie and Mahdere Tigabe shared their experiences of adapting to Addis, navigating a different work culture and learning to build again. Read the full article here: https://www.linkupaddis.com/article/567?source=copy&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share @linkuppremium

In this month’s LinkUp Magazine SpotLight section, we feature Addis Ababa-based photographer Amanuel Tsegaye, who brings nearly a decade of experience in visual storytelling and documentary photography. ​Specializing in street and documentary visuals across Ethiopia, Amanuel's work captures unscripted moments and atmospheric scenes from late-night barbering within the ancient walls of Jugol, Harar, to quiet, intimate Meskel gatherings at home, and the serene rhythm of Sunday morning devotion in the city. ​ Tap the link below to view the full feature and photo story! https://www.linkupaddis.com/magazine/linkup-september-2026?source=copy&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share @linkupaddis

Adey Contemporary Art Award Makes Its Debut! Organized by G-Eight Entertainment & Promotion and Eternal Media & Communication, the inaugural Adey Contemporary Art Award is stepping up to showcase Ethiopia's modern, contemporary, and experimental artists under the theme "The New Face of Ethiopian Creative Arts." The landmark event features 19 award categories across contemporary dance, electronic music, short films, visual arts, and fashion, alongside legacy honors for icons Laureate Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin, World Laureate Afework Tekle, and Abate Mekuria. Winners will be decided by a blend of public voting (60%) and a professional jury (40%). Attendees can expect an immersive experience with art exhibitions, live performances, cutting-edge stage design, and an Adey flower carpet welcome, with international project grants planned for next year. Venue: Adwa Victory Memorial Museum Date: October 17, 2026 @linkuppremium

In this month's LinkUp Magazine ReelUp section, we explore Dolovia, a new film by director Behailu Engida (Baya) starring Girum Ermias. Set in a gold mining area where two men's paths cross in pursuit of very different goals, Dolovia delivers a masterclass in visual storytelling, immersive sound design, and raw character progression. Starring Girum Ermias in an intense performance that physicalizes survival, greed, and redemption, the film pushes the boundaries of Ethiopian cinema. Tap the link below to read the full review: https://www.linkupaddis.com/magazine/linkup-september-2026?source=copy&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share @linkupaddis

Ethiopian Health-Tech Startup Medanit Named to the ADHN Top 20 Digital Health Watchlist ​Ethiopia’s health-tech sector just took another leap onto the continental stage! Medanit has officially been selected for the Africa Digital Health Networks (ADHN) Startups Watchlist 2026, putting them among the Top 20 high-impact digital health innovators in Africa. ​Founded with a core mission save lives by saving time Medanit connects patients with healthcare providers, simplifies appointment booking, offers medical consultations, and delivers prescriptions straight to doorsteps. ​Representing Ethiopia at the Africa HealthTech Summit, Medanit is joining global innovators, investors, and health leaders to help shape the future of African digital health. @linkuppremium

Ethiopia’s financial sector looks beyond reform as the second Ethiopia Finance Forum opens in Addis Ababa, bringing the sector’s challenges, progress and next steps into focus. Read the full article here: https://www.linkupaddis.com/article/565?source=copy&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share @linkuppremium

After months off the screen, Fikir Eske Mekabir is moving closer to a return. The legal dispute is over, but new budget negotiations between Sewmehon Films and EBC could determine when the beloved story returns to television. Read the full article here: https://www.linkupaddis.com/article/564?source=copy&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=share @linkuppremium