Beru Tessema

Beru Tessema is an Ethiopian-British writer and director based in London. He is a graduate of the London Film School and RADA. He is currently writing his debut feature film as writer-director EXILE IN NORTH WEEZY for Film4 while also developing another feature with Pulse Films/BBC Films called GHETTO GOSPEL. 

Beru’s stage play, EXILE IN NORTH WEEZY, was shortlisted for the Papatango Playwriting Prize 2020. His latest play, HOUSE OF IFE, premiered at Bush Theatre to brilliant reviews and he is now working on a new play commissioned by Bush Theatre and Tamasha, WOLVES ON ROAD. Beru’s short film LIONS, made with the support of CNC and BFI NETWORK was recently awarded the UniFrance Grand Prix for Best International Short Film at Cannes, it also competed at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival 2023 and was nominated for a BIFA. Beru has written LETTING GO, a drama for Channel 4 to be broadcast later this year for BlackLight and he is now developing a TV series with them called FIRST LOVE . Beru was part of BBC Drama Writersroom 2020-21 and is an Oxbelly Episodic Program Fellow 2023. 

He made his professional debut as a screen writer in 2017 when he co-wrote the feature film BARLEY FIELDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN (Dir. Tian Tsering), which was nominated for best feature film at the Valladolid International Film Festival under the Seminci Joven Award.

In addition to developing his current slate, Beru also teaches Acting at RADA.

HOUSE OF IFE Reviews

The Guardian - Beru Tessema’s script is richly textured and artfully written. This play is an absorbing one that showcases a wealth of talent.

The Talegraph - Tessema [is] absolutely terrific at dialogue

The Times - [House of Ife] sizzles with dangerous tension, and it’s beautifully acted. Tessema’s dialogue zings.

The Stage - Lively and boisterous.

The Reviews Hub – [House of Ife is] often hilarious, constantly thought-provoking […] funny, warm and tragic.

Broadway World - Tessema […] gives great humanity and realism to all the characters.

What’s on Stage - House of Ife positively brims with vitality, [it’s] one of the most vibrant pieces of new work I've seen for years.

Evening Standard - Beru Tessema […] knows how to write cracking dialogue, and his script has the tang of both domestic and urban authenticity.