[3] In October 2012, on their first night on location in Mombasa, Kenya in the African Great Lakes region, the filmmakers were accused of trespassing by armed men in police and military uniforms.

The cineastes were eventually released after paying a $150 bribe, the first of several such payments made to local officials.

[3] The film was shot over a period of three and a half months, though the original shooting schedule was intended to last five weeks.

Financing for the project was raised through proceeds that Hodierne had earned while previously working on U2's 360 tour.

[4] Fishing Without Nets was awarded the Grand Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.