The government is keen on growing the film industry in the country by tapping into advanced international markets, Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary (CS), Joe Mucheru has said.
Speaking on Monday when he inaugurated the new Board of Directors of the Kenya Film Commission, Mucheru said his ministry had negotiated a deal with Chinese film makers for a joint production to run alongside the co-production already underway with India.
“We have brought the Chinese film week after the India film week which happened earlier this year, these two markets alone are close to three billion people that want to watch our films,” said Mucheru.
The CS said that film is an integral part of everything that we do as a country and added it will be used to preserve our culture and ensure that we create the many jobs that the youth need by taking advantage of film tourism.
Mucheru said that in the coming one year period the government expects to have over five major films shot in Kenya, adding incentives will be put in place to attract big time movie producers by tapping the expertise of the new board comprising representatives from government, media sector and the film sector.
“We are glad that the board has accepted to take up the challenge that they have been given to create jobs for the youth by attracting many more film producers,” said Mucheru.
The CS said that the government is looking at ways of expanding the use of film in the country and added that the existing 800 digital villages will be used to show films besides having 47 outdoor film centres.
“We will soon be seeing the ‘Elephant Queen’ a film which was shot over eight years ago here in Kenya in the Tsavo and it covered the elephants; we hope that every Kenyan will be able to see the film and the Kenya Film Commission will ensure that we provide the facilities to enable everyone watch the film by early next year,” said Mucheru.
The CS described the new developments as good and exciting times for the film industry in Kenya.
The new board includes, Dorothy Ghettuba – Chairperson, Timothy Owase – CEO, Ernest Kerich, Sarah Migwi, Eunice Wangeci Macharia, Asif Karim and Gideon Ole Moses Saruni.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
