The Kenyan government has partnered with Hollywood-based Invention Studios based in the United States of America, to support and promote the production of Kenyan stories, through film and television.
Speaking during press briefing, Tuesday, at Talanta Hela Plaza, Nairobi, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Ababu Namwamba, together with Mr. Nicholas Weinstock, the Founder and President of Invention Studios, Los Angeles, said through the partnership the creative industry in Kenya, has made a good leap with the U.S based studio.
The partnership follows President William Ruto’s pronouncement during last year’s Jamuhuri Days’ celebration, that the innovation studios would embark on productions in Kenya in 2024.
The CS said, after a meeting held in September last year with key partners and the Kenyan government, three important agreements were signed on behalf of the government and the partners.
The agreements included the National Basketball Association (NBA) from USA bringing NBA to Kenya, the Grammys to bring the benefits of the Grammys to African music, and the Invention studio, to partner with the film industry.
“Today we are delighted that the government in association with the Kenya Film Association, has officially partnered with the Invention studio of USA, to take the Kenya Film Industry to the next level,” said the CS.
The CS added that Kenya is ready to take its space in the film industry, as a destination of choice.
He termed the deal as historic and revolutionary, noting that Kenya will have exchange programs with elite film makers to enable the country have serious movies, films, and TV shows curated and shot in Kenya.
Namwamba added that the Ministry has planned to hold a meeting with over 500 stakeholders, including directors, actors, media, script writers and other responsible members who make the industry tick.
“This deal is not a measure taken in a haphazard manner, but it’s all part of the plan to improve the creative industry and the lucrative measures, to position Kenya as a destination of choice for film making,” he stated.
“We firmly have the presence of the NBA, which has established two elite basketball courts at Kasarani and are rolling-out the program that will cascade over the entire schooling ecosystem program,” said Namwamba.
“The government didn’t just travel for the sake of traveling nor sign the agreements for the sake of signing, but did it through deliberate extension structure, implementation agreement that seeks to advance an agenda program through the partnership,” he added.
Invention Studio President Mr. Weinstock said “For the first time ever under our mission, Invention studios would be working hand in hand with Kenyan creators and through the support of the Kenyan government, Ministry of Youth Affairs Creative Economy and Sports, and the Kenya Film Industry,”
Weinstock further added that projects could be submitted by any authors in the country regardless of their experience or age, and promised to give all writers an access to a free support Craft service’, located@
He also promised zoom conversations and workshops, to improve interaction with the script writers in the Kenyan Film Industry.
By Sabari Sharon
