The Kenya Film Commission will participate at the Association of Film Commissioners International Locations Trade Show this year, for the second time around. The annual event is held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles California from April 10 th - 12 th 2008.

For more than 3000 film producers, studio executives and technicians each year, the AFCI Locations Trade Show is the first look at locations and production support from all over the world.

The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) is the official professional organization for film commissioners who assist film, television and video production throughout the world. It is a non-profit educational association whose members serve as city, county, state, regional, provincial or national film commissioners for their respective governmental jurisdictions.

250 AFCI Member Film Commissions from more than 300 countries showcased their country's locations, the latest incentives for film and video production, tax rebates, co-production opportunities and new innovative technologies that are tailor made for the film maker.

This year, the Kenya Film Commission participated both as an exhibitor and also hosted some local film makers. The Commission was represented by the M.D David Maingi while other members of the delegation were: Ginger Wilson (Ginger ink), Bob Nyanja (Cinematic Solutions), Jenny Pont (Pontact Productions) and Wambui Kairo.

Kenya proudly took third position overall after the Georgian and South African film commissions in a competition judging best creativity, originality and presentation of the stand.

OUTCOME OF A.F.C.I

Positive results are starting to show following aggressive marketing of Kenya as a natural film destination at the AFCI Trade show. Discussions are underway with top movie producers and the industry may soon take a positive turn especially after being hit negatively by the post election violence which saw film producers divert their work to other countries

5,000 movers and shakers from key film markets like the US, Canada, India and Nigeria converged to discuss movie trends across the globe.

What came out clearly from the trade fair was the fact that the producers needed incentives to make their venture to Kenya more rewarding and profitable. Kenya is losing its clients to other countries like South Africa which have attractive incentive programmes.

The authorities need to quickly put together an incentive package that include tax rebates, tax credits, subsides and cash payments to stop the production company from digitally recreating Kenya in their films.

The film industry still faces challenges like lack of cameras and other equipment needed by the international producers to shoot in Kenya, lack of post production facilities hence the films have to be exported and as a result an increase in the cost of production for smaller players. Tax waivers on film equipment are also required urgently to encourage local investors import tax free equipment.

Colossal movie houses including Universal pictures, Warner Brothers and Columbia Pictures have shown interest in using Kenya as a preferred African film destination. For instance the Dan Eldon story "Journey" and Mike Resnick Sci-fi movie "Kirinyaga" are some of the movies likely to be produced in Kenya.

By participating in international film events like the AFCI trade fair, influential people in the world film scene get the chance to know and understand what Kenya has to offer in terms of its unique features and this message was conveyed clearly at the AFCI trade show.