In our pursuit to facilitate access to services for stakeholders in the film sector, the Commission on Saturday 15th November 2019 hosted a stakeholder’s forum in Bomet County in collaboration with the Kenya Copyright Board to appraise stakeholders from the South Rift region on recent developments in the film industry.
The Commission conducted a comprehensive tour of key County Offices from the governor and County Commissioner’s to various others ran by county creative economy players in a bid to engage them on the myriad of opportunities that the creative industry offers to the youth in terms of sustainable jobs and wealth creation.
Stakeholders were brought to speed on the certification program and recent developments pertaining to film production in the country. The certification program will identify qualified film professionals, ensure recognition of expertise in the industry, enhance credibility and prestige of the film industry, protect the public from extortion and establish professional practice standards.
The certification program seeks to certify persons, associations and organizations participating in the production of film, photography, video, stills, animation, new media and related media.
Mr Edward Sigei – Executive Director, Kenya Copyright Board emphasized the need for creatives to have copyright for their content so as to protect themselves from theft and also to ensure they earn from their work.
Bomet County Commissioner Mr Geoffrey Omonding promised to work closely with the Commission in allocation of spaces where resource centres could be set up to empower the youth with skills on quality content production.
Also speaking at the forum was Mr Ephantus Kamau – Chairman, Performers Rights Society of Kenya who urged creatives from the South Rift region to register with Collective Management Organizations so that they could protect themselves from extortion and earn royalties from their work.
KFC CEO Timothy Owase reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to establishment of innovation hubs in the counties as critical in empowering the youth with skills in filmmaking. This will ensure that the counties are vibrant in telling authentic Kenyan stories. The Commission will establish a resource centre and equip it to empower youth with skills in filmmaking and how they can earn from their talent.
The County Secretary, Ms Evalyne Rono noted that the county government has established a revolving fund for the youth to borrow in a bid to empower filmmakers from the county to tell authentic Kenyan stories.
