The Nairobi Film Centre played host to the first-ever State of Film Industry Summit in Kenya, a coming together of film industry players in both government and private film production companies and individuals and organized by Kenya Television and Film Professionals Association.
The need of taking stock of the film industry’s current state and setting a course for its future, prompted the birth of this summit on Friday September 29th 2023.
The summit was graced by the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, Hon.Ababu Namwamba accompanied by Principal Secretaries Mr. Ismail Maadey and Prof. Edward Kisiangani of the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunication.
From the rich program of events, industry professionals shared their vision for the sector while emphasizing its potential to be a key enabler in the country’s economy.
Sessions touched on diverse topics in the film industry spanning the impact of film to the economy, social change to the mechanisms of film financing, the role of government policies, intellectual property rights, and emerging technologies in shaping the future of Kenyan cinema among others.
The CS Hon. Ababu Namwamba EGH remarks underscored the government’s commitment to the creative economy highlighting how the film sector has been historically underappreciated and guaranteed to correct this by placing it at the forefront of the government’s development agenda while focusing on putting money in the pockets of creatives in line with the Talanta Hela Initiative. The film industry is not just a source of entertainment; it is a source of livelihoods and a driving force for the economy.
The CEO, Kenya Film Commission, Mr. Timothy Owase reaffirmed KFC’s commitment to nurturing the nation’s cinematic talents, fostering creative innovation, and positioning Kenya on the global stage of filmmaking.
Throughout the summit, ideas flowed freely, and collaborations were forged. Participants connected with one another, and new possibilities began to take shape. The atmosphere was one of hope, determination, and the unwavering belief in the transformative power of film.
