Cabinet Secretary for Innovation and Youth Affairs (ICT) Mr Joe Mucheru has challenged filmmakers to take advantage of the ministry’s new innovation measures to jumpstart the industry.
Speaking on Saturday, CS Mucheru outlined major steps the ministry was making to boost the film industry in Kenya, including implementing new policies and a film incentive package.
“We have now operationalised the Film Incentive Package that offers relief to film producers who are keen to shoot in Kenyan locations. This is aimed at an increase in foreign revenue in the Kenyan economy. I am glad to report that Kenya Film Commission has successfully launched the Film Empowerment Programme – an initiative that now offers funding for Kenyan content with the aim of promoting increase in quantity and quality of Kenyan productions. Also, my ministry is currently working on the National Film Policy that seeks to standardise operations in the industry,” the CS said.
Joe Mucheru was speaking during the annual Kisima Awards gala ceremony held in Nairobi.
He noted that through the recent re-introduction of the Drive-In cinema, the Kenya Film Commission was now offering content producers an innovative way of content consumption and alternative distribution system.
The CS said the commission has also rolled out the Creative Industry Database that seeks to create a national registry of the talent we have in the country that will act as a central reference point for international and local producers.
“As you may be aware, the Ministry of ICT has the responsibility for formulating, administering, managing, and developing the Information, Broadcasting and Communication policy. In this regard, the National Government, through my ministry, is keen on promoting the Kenyan film industry through supportive policy framework. The Kenyan film industry has proven to be very essential, drawing from its capability to inform, generate wealth and create job opportunities for the youth,” Mucheru said.
