The Kenya Film Commission has been advised to set up resource centres in correctional facilities in the country and equip them with the necessary materials for production to enable people with film skills at the facilities utilise them.
ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Joe Mucheru said it is necessary for prison warders who have been trained in film production to train inmates who need the skills so that they can use it to produce films when they complete their jail sentences.
“I am looking forward to when film training will be part of the prison staff training curriculum as I believe this institution has great stories to tell after this pilot programme of film making,” said Mucheru.
The CS made the remarks yesterday in a speech read on his behalf by ICT and Broadcasting Chief Administrative Secretary, Maureen Mbaka during the Prison Wardens Training of Trainers graduation ceremony held at the Kenya Film School.
The 51 prison wardens’ graduands were drawn from various correctional facilities within Nairobi region.
He said Kenyans are eagerly awaiting to see super productions and content from the wardens trained on film making.
“We are sure through the skill developed among you, we shall witness productions and content that will be marketed commercially to strengthen our local film industry and create many jobs for people at all levels,” encouraged the CS
Mucheru commended Kenya Film School for putting in place an 11 unit intensive course curriculum that will be rolled out with the aim of encouraging growth and creativity in content creation.
He said the ICT Ministry’s strategic intention is to grow the sustainability of the film industry through strengthening existing institutional frameworks and increasing the production of films in the country through the active involvement of stakeholders across the board.
The CS said film production has great potential of being one of the major contributors to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, thereby boosting the economy through sustainable wealth and job creation.
Mucheru who described film making as a big business, urged those equipped with the skills to empower others in the society so that many people can join the creative economy.
By Bernadette Khaduli
