EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION FOR A BORDERLESS AFRICA THROUGH AFRICA YOUTH SUMMITS

The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative economy and Sports played host to the sixth edition of the Youth Connekt Africa Summit in Nairobi, bringing together over 20,000 young creatives, government officials and corporates with an aim into promoting collaboration, innovation, and leadership across the continent. The five-day conference which ran between December 8 -13 is focused towards promoting growth and advancement of the African youth through use of technology in addressing issues of unemployment among youths in Kenya.

Through Conferences, masterclasses, and networking sessions, Kenya Film Commission shared valuable insights while enhancing partnerships with other African film stakeholders into creating a strong socio-economic front. The screening of the Mvera film by Daudi Anguka during the summit has fostered a culture of filming interactions and transactions with international filmmakers towards transforming this sector as a hub of creativity in Africa.

Such steps in creating a borderless Africa have helped promote Kenya’s economic growth through economic partnerships, trade engagements and cultural exchanges among the people of Africa.

ACT OF LOVE SHINES AGAIN ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

The 9th Mashariki African Film Festival that was held on December 2023 has promoted Kenya’s global filming positioning through celebration of art in Kenyan filmmaking.

The Rwandan based film festival attracted a total of 2,192 film submissions in which 143 African nations competed under 5 different filming categories namely; Iziwacu category, Best Film Documentary category, Best Tv Series category, Best Short Film category and the Best Feature Film category.

Act of Love, Scriptwrited by Shelly Gitonga and directed by Eric Mwangi emerged as winners for the Best Short film Category in Africa in which 28 films participated under this category continentally.

The 16+ rated film highlights the plight of women into tackling challenges and struggles they face in raising newborns and young families during different stages of motherhood.

This film is famed for winning several selections and awards on various global competitions majorly being; the 2023 Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), 2023 Fankeenna Film Festival (Somali), 2023 Botswana International Film Festival as well as winning selection for the 2024 Kenya Film Commission’s Reel County Film Festival. Recognition of Kenyan films through award winnings and selections in global competitions is a key indicator that Kenya Film Commission is transforming lives of its citizens through talent promotion and global marketing of their creations.

SKILL-BASED PROGRAMS DRIVE SURGE IN FILM PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES IN KENYA

The Commission’s nationwide capacity building program is empowering youths with basic filmmaking skills majorly on videography, cinematography, scriptwriting and video editing scopes necessary for the growth of filming production activities in our nation.

The recently released FISA Report, states that there has been a substantial growth in the filming industry, in which 42,823 jobs have been created in the year 2022 further translating to a total of Kshs.14.3 billion earnings to the country’s GDP.

The KFC’s film capacity building workshop conducted on 4th to 9th December, in Ng'iya VTC, Siaya has promoted growth of local based film talents through skill empowerment in which 130 aspiring filmmakers have benefitted. This exercise conducted in partnership with the area MCA, has promoted collaborations with the County government in building a grassroot talent hub towards the growth of the Kenyan creative industry.

The rapid technological advancements witnessed globally is a testament that film industry trainings are key to matching the skills of the Kenyan youth creative to those practiced on a global field.

EMBRACING MODERN TECHNOLOGY USE INTO PRODUCTION OF QUALITY KENYAN FILMS

The Kenya Innovation Week that was held on 27th November to 1st December 2023, at the Edge Convention Centre, has helped unlock filming potentials and ideas through establishing gaps and opportunities therein in this modern digital space.

The event themed ‘Innovating to Unlock the Commonwealth’ aligns with the bottom-up economic transformation approach of the Kenya Kwanza Government which prioritizes technology as a key economic contributor towards our nation’s growth. Present during the summit were; H. E Dr.William Samoei Ruto, President of Republic of Kenya, Hon.Ababu Namwamba, Cs Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative economy and Sports among other top government officials.

Panel discussions with industry professionals on modern film industry trends such as on the use of Virtual Realities and Augmented Realities have promoted production of quality cinematic contents amongst creatives. The Kenya Innovation Week is not only promoting collaborations but has as well offered opportunities for start-ups, corporates and young innovators to showcase their innovations through exhibitions.

Film Commission’s participation to Summit events has built a culture of innovation, research and technology use which are key pillars towards the rapid transformation and growth of the Kenya’s filming industry.

UNLOCKING FILMING TALENTS THROUGH PROMOTION OF LOCAL BASED STORYTELLING

Over the years grassroot film screening has been used as a medium to promote cultural interactions and transactions amongst various Kenyan societies. Such screenings have not only impacted on our cultures but have as well enhanced the art of local storytelling among filmmakers in Kenya.

The Mombasa Reel County Film screening which was held on 13th December at the Swahili Pot Hub has promoted engagements amongst industry players which has further enhanced recognition of local based film stories and talents within Mombasa County. Reel County is a nationwide program conducted in partnership with County governments in which various films are screened so as to publicize the creative works of grassroot based film talents.

This Year the Commission intends to showcase the creative works of 12 films through the Reel County Festival, an activity which will be conducted across different regions of our country.

Kenya Film Commission’s commitment in publicizing stories with local angles, is not only promoting the art of grassroot storytelling but has as well enhanced cross-cultural interactions among different Kenyan communities.

FILM FESTIVALS COMMEND GRASSROOT ART OF STORYTELLING

Film festivals are positioning Kenya as a marketplace where film distributors and producers meet to discover new filming contents and ideas produced by Kenyan filmmakers.

Kenya Film Commission’s participation at the Eldoret Film Festival that was held on 13th December is promoting local based film talents through celebration of art in storytelling within Uasin Gishu County.

Some of the films that won awards during the 6th Edition of this competition were; Mizizi which won the Best Short Film Category, Scars - Best Student Film, Bilal Mwaura -Best Actor of the Year, Mr.125 -Best Film Documentary and Midnight Van for the Best Feature Film Category.

The Eldoret film festival attracted a total of 99 film submissions, an indication towards increase in production of film within Uasin Gishu County.

Through panel discussions, awards and global networking, local film festivals have helped publicize the unique art of Kenyan storytelling a significant step towards monetizing talents among youths in our nation.

SAVE THE DATE!

Kalasha International Film & TV Market, Festival and Awards is here!

The Commission will undertake the event from 27th to 30th March 2024 at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). This financial year, the event will be a three in one activity hosting the 7th Edition of Kalasha International Film & TV Market, 13th Edition of Kalasha International Film & TV Awards and for the first time Kalasha International Film and TV Festival.

See poster for more details.

Source: https://mailchi.mp/2c382074aba8/december-newsletter-8938109?e=f98e4c3dba