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In this heart-warming tale, Solomon (Sammy Amare) is an Ethiopian living in Los Angeles and who dreams of opening his own coffee shop. But his plans are thwarted by a lack of money. Tired of waiting, his girlfriend, the no-nonsense Meron (Salem Dawit), leaves him high and dry. In between mourning the break-up of his relationship and trying to raise finance for his project, Solomon hears about Hanna (Tsion Fikreselassie), just arrived from Ethiopia and who’s looking to enter a marriage of convenience in order to get the green card and pursue her own American dream: get an education. Hanna and Solomon are introduced, get married and thus begins the year-long naturalization process, where they have to convince Immigration Officers that their couple is not a sham. Cheating the administration won’t be smooth sailing, and navigating the tricky waters of friendship and love will prove to be the ultimate test that Hanna and Solomon need to find real happiness.

Director Yehdego Abeselom has signed here a very fine movie: a sexy romcom that will speak to any A.L.A (African Living Abroad.) Solomon’s American dream is different from that of his father, who puts education above everything, when his son realises that entrepreneurship might be his ticket out. The beautiful Hanna is seduced by the temptations of the western world, embodied by Morris Benton (Delaine Knight), a model scout who wants to make her America’s next Ethiopian supermodel. But what sets 13 Months of Sunshine apart is how easily we travel from one world to the next. We get an insight into life in Little Ethiopia, with its underground parties, eateries and music. The actors speak Amharic and English, falling back on the mother tongue when emotions get too hot to handle. But mostly, what is pervasive is the deep love Solomon and Hanna have for their culture. They rewrite the immigrant’s tale, where America is not the final destination, but merely a stepping stone to something more fulfilling. – Catch A Vibe

Inspired by true events, this is an optimistic portrayal of established Ethiopian immigrant community in USA. The film focuses on Solomon and Hanna’s marriage of convenience and goes through their romance and aspirations. Will appeal to Ethiopians in a similar situation who can relate to themselves or other family members. Depicts family values, dreams and achievements. When Solomon talks about coffee it has a deeper meaning too. A double meaning of the Ethiopian-specific title also becomes evident as the film progresses, punctuated by appropriate music including ‘Home’ by Bole 2 Harlem. – African Musician Profile

The Ethiopian American says “Yehdego Abeselom’s…exploration of the American dream is anything but your traditional American story. It is uniquely Ethiopian American…This is a beautiful film, beautifully shot and directed. There is no doubt that Yehdego’s “Thirteen Months of Sunshine” has set a new standard for Ethiopian films made in the US.”

“What 13 Months of Sunshine offers for Ethiopian audience in its story based in little Ethiopia found in the USA, is the real day to day life of Ethiopians there. Through its few but very appealing scenes, it forces us to look to our traditions and blessings together with our treasure, coffee.” – Capital Ethiopia

“13 Months of Sunshine is a witty moral fable with great performances from its first time stars. The film is a delight, especially when Solomon and Hanna are together on the screen. It’s sexy, it’s funny, and even moving all at the same time without really forcing itself onto the audience. Sammy Amare plays Solomon with the earnestness of a man who wants to find greatness and happiness in a business that promotes his country’s beloved gift to the world: coffee…an occupation that has become dominated by huge corporations such as Starbucks, Coffee Bean and others alike.

Yet Solomon continues to believe in his dream of opening a coffee shop that will enrich, educate and promote Ethiopian Coffee and the culture behind it all despite all obstacles. And through out the film, it seems that even though coffee is his actual passion and the subject of his devotion, the film intricately and effectively also uses coffee as a metaphor to comment on social values within the Ethiopian community around the world.

Tsion plays Hanna as a woman who believes in Solomon, and reminds us that true love is about idealism not always about happily ever after. 13 Months of Sunshine is definitely a must see for the entire family. It enlightens and educates fellow Ethiopians living in Ethiopia about the US and Europe; the hardships and tribulations one could encounter abroad, it also gives hope to a generation of Ethiopian Americans and others living abroad, it shows that every Ethiopian community can still collectively come together and create a community as seen in the film, “Little Ethiopia” and remain close and hold on to a culture that runs deep in their blood just like the ancient traditions of coffee.” – Sindeck Magazine

Bernos.org offers up their thoughts on the film.