Creatives from across the film and creative sector came together at Anga IMAX Panari to mark International Women’s Day 2026 through an engaging forum held under the theme “Give to Gain.” The event created space for open dialogue, shared experiences, and reflection on how collaboration and mentorship can shape a stronger and more inclusive industry.
The forum was organized through a collaboration between Women in Film & Television Kenya (WIFT), Women in Film Awards Kenya (WIFA), Anga Cinema, bringing together voices from across the creative ecosystem to reflect on opportunities, challenges, and the role of collective effort in advancing the industry.
Two insightful panel discussions anchored the afternoon’s programme, beginning with “The Economics of Investing in Women in Film,” which explored the importance of supporting women-led productions, leadership, and access to opportunities within the industry ,highlighting how investment in talent, mentorship, and inclusive opportunities can help creatives build sustainable careers, followed by “Collaborate to Elevate: Building Networks that Work for Women,” where panelists emphasized the power of partnerships, professional networks, and shared knowledge in unlocking opportunities, strengthening the creative ecosystem, and opening doors for more women in the industry.
As one of the reflections during the panel noted, “Mentorship and collaboration are not just ideals, they are practical pathways for growing talent and expanding opportunity in the creative space.”
The discussions featured a distinguished lineup of industry voices including Dr. Zippy Okoth ( Senior lecturer in Film and Performing Arts at KCA University), Ms. Njoki Muhoho ( Leading filmmaker in Kenya and across Africa), Nice Githinji ( Multi Award winning actor ,voice actor, director and intimacy coordinator) , Rachael Wainaina (Founder of Youth Film Platform Africa and Deputy Chair of IEDF), Mark Maina Maingi ( Award winning Kenyan Filmmaker), Dr. Rachael Diang’a ( Assistant Professor of Film at USIU) , Dr. Karimi Ngeera ( Head of Financial Strategy ,Integrity and Sustainability at HEVA Fund) , Ms. Denise Kibisu ( Film Producer project manager and Founder of Cogwheel Experience Studios), and Dickens Olwal ( CEO Kenya Actors Guild), who shared insights drawn from their diverse experiences across the creative landscape.
A curated film (NAWI which tells the powerful story of a bright young girl whose dreams of education are threatened when she is forced into an early marriage. Determined to change her future, she makes a bold decision to run away and pursue the life she believes she deserves, highlighting the courage and resilience of girls fighting for their right to education and choice.) screening complemented the discussions, reinforcing the role of film as a powerful platform for storytelling and creative expression.
screening complemented the conversations, highlighting the power of cinema as a storytelling g medium and its role in amplifying voices within the industry.
For Commission, engagements such as this align with its mandate to develop, promote, and market Kenya as a premier filming destination while supporting the growth of a vibrant and sustainable local film industry. By creating platforms where creatives can connect, exchange ideas, and learn from one another, the Commission continues to champion capacity building and inclusivity within the sector.
The forum concluded with a strong call to action on mentorship, encouraging industry players to intentionally support emerging creatives and create more opportunities within the space.
As the conversations throughout the afternoon demonstrated, the future of the creative industry depends not only on talent, but also on the willingness of its players to invest in one another. True to its theme, the International Women’s Day Forum 2026 reinforced a simple but powerful idea when creatives give through mentorship, collaboration, and opportunity, the entire industry gains.
