The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has embarked on training film producers in the Nyanza region on production of clean content.
Through the training, KFCB targets to promote clean programming on the airwaves to protect children against exposure to harmful content.
KFCB Nyanza Regional Manager Edward Koech said the training targets to protect children from exposure to violence, sex and nudity, propaganda, gambling, drug and substance abuse and radicalization.
“Films influence behavior and opinions thus children should be protected from harmful content which may at times inculcate bad behavior in them,” stated Koech.
He added that the board has developed regulations to rate and license locally produced films in order to ensure dissemination of clean content.
The regulations which classify films according to the age of the viewers, he said, required parents to be vigilant to ensure that children don’t access harmful material.
“I urge all parents and guardians to keep track of different films their children consume and ensure that they are educational and safe for viewing,” Koech said.
Koech also encouraged script writers to produce material targeting to sensitize and educate the audience as well as promoting peace in the country.
He made the remarks at Nyalenda slums in Kisumu during a training session for Lakeside Thespians Film Production (LTFP), a community based organization, composed of young actors, script writers, producers and content creators.
LTFP Chairman Hillary Amunze lauded KFCB for the initiative, saying it will go a long way to improve on the quality of productions in the area.
Despite receiving support from different organizations, the film producers, he added, were hampered by lack of resources to polish their work.
“We have done 15 short films and 2 feature films using our smartphones due to limited resources. We are therefore appealing to KFCB and other organizations to support us with production equipment,” he said.
Over 50 members of the group which was started in 2017 benefitted from the free training which they said was set to take their production to the next level.
By Becky Galyns and Mulamula Lidavalia
