Kenya Film Commission Newsletter May 2008

The first Stake holder's Meeting for 2008 was held at the Panafric Hotel on 27th March 2008.

The Chief Guest at the event was the Honourable Minister for Information, Samuel Poghishio and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Information, Dr. Bitange Ndemo.

Other guests were the Acting Chairperson and board members of the Kenya Film Commission.

The breakfast meeting was convened to unveil the Commission's programmes for the year as well as reassure the stakeholders of the government's commitment towards the concerns of the film industry. The forum also provided stakeholders in the film industry, through their respective associations, an opportunity to address the Honorable Minister and describe the current state of the industry.

Fifty four (54) stakeholders were present at the breakfast meeting with representation from K.F.T.P.A, K.N.F.A, independent producers and members of the press.

The Commission's Managing Director, David Maingi opened the session with a brief description of the current state of film in Kenya. He pointed out that in 2006, film production generated about USD 45 million. He also noted that Kenya is apparently one out of three African countries with a Film Commission.

Mr. Maingi went on to add that the current situation on the ground is one of declining film revenues from international film makers; high production costs for local film projects and declining local content on local TV channels.

The M.D outlined the Commission's ten programme agenda aimed at creating a positive turn around to the current situation in the film industry. The programmes he unveiled at this forum were:

Film awareness marketing programme- Kenya needs to be packaged in a unique way to differentiate it from other world markets.
Content development programme- KFC will facilitate content development to be used in local broadcasting TV channels.
Audience development programme- KFC will engage in research to align film making towards an audience by analyzing consumer trends.
National film development fund- infrastructural framework and modalities to be developed for a revolving fund/kitty. The Commission to select five viable projects to be supported
School of excellence programme- KFC to work with partners to come up with curriculum modalities for the school of excellence.
Film enterprise and business venturing- how can KFC facilitate film as a business venture
Animation/ New media programme- KFC working with UNICEF and other partners to promote animation as a viable film form.
National film policy and incentive programme
Business investment programme
Information, research and archiving programme.

On the issue of funding and resource mobilization in order for the projects to be successfully implemented, Mr. Maingi noted that the following donor bodies have been approached to support some of these projects: UNDP/ UNESCO, DANIDA, French Development Co-operation, Ford Foundation, SIDA, USAID, GTV/ Multichoice.

An optimistic and enthused Mr. Maingi informed stakeholders that 2008 was the year for film and with the rolling out of these programmes, there would be much progress to report from the industry.

The Commission's Acting Chairperson Dr. Suki Mwendwa emphasized K.F.C's commitment to revamp the film industry in 2008. Dr. Mwendwa informed the forum that KFC was building partnerships with leading film schools in the USA and South Africa to allow for viable exchange programmes and implementation of short term modular courses aimed at capacity building.

The Acting Chair also noted that KFC's strategic approach is to deliver products which sell both locally and internationally. Such products must include qualities like:

Dr. Mwendwa concluded her remarks by calling on the government to boost resources to the Commission in order for the institution to fulfill its mandate.

The P.S in the Ministry of Information and Communication, Dr. Bitange Ndemo informed the meeting that his ministry had declared 2008 a year of content development aimed at strategically positioning the film sector to benefit from ICT innovations.

The P.S noted that the country had experienced a positive shift to local content, indicating that most of the audience was more interested in local productions. He gave examples of local productions such as KBC's "Vioja Mahakamani" and Citizen TV's "Papa Shirandula" which are watched by over five (5) million viewers, according to Steadman research. He encouraged the industry to take advantage of the growth in local audience and make more productions especially with the expected shift from analog to digital television. He urged for film makers to maximize the capacity utilization of the fibre link as there would be hundreds of channels that will require content.

Dr. Ndemo also challenged the film makers to make short films to provide content while giving the audience a variety of products to entertain them. He cited Nollywood's ability to shoot movies in three days and edit in two as a good example.

The meeting was informed that the Ministry of Information had established a task force under the Chairmanship of Senior Deputy Secretary at the Ministry Mr. Peter Alubale to rationalize activities of the Kenya Film Commission, Kenya Film Censorship Board and the Department of Film Services (DFS). The task force has been working on modalities of apportioning tasks to the relevant departments.

Dr. Ndemo also noted that the Ministry intends to revise the mandate of KFC to include content development as a boost to the broadcast and the general ICT industry.

The P.S challenged the industry to come up with a calendar of activities and start mobilizing resources early; especially for the Kenya International Film Festival (K.I.F.F) event. Mr. Henry Mung'asia (Deputy Secretary/ Administration) has been assigned to work closely with the KIFF festival organizers with the aim of coming up with more activities to be presented early enough to the Ministry for fund mobilization.

On his part, the Honourable Minister for Information and Communication Samuel Poghisio was quick to note that his ministry recognizes the need to support film as an important element of economic growth. He begun his remarks by pointing out that the entertainment industry and in particular - film is currently one of the fastest growing industries in the world at 14% per annum. The potential that film provides in generating foreign exchange earnings and creating skilled and semi skilled employment was enormous.

It is for this reason, according to Hon. Poghisio that the Government has identified the film industry as a key growth sector with the ability to spur economic, social and cultural growth. Government's expectation of the industry includes attracting tourists through global screening of local content or content from foreign films shot locally.

The Minister emphasized the fact that Kenya will also require a film incentive programme to provide various levels of tax incentives in respect to production and post-production costs and allow for comparative advantage and competitiveness with other global film destinations.

In his concluding remarks, Hon. Poghisio emphasized his commitment towards the development of film: "My Ministry is committed in ensuring that the Kenya Film Commission succeeds in its quest to implement their mandate. We are desirous to formulate and launch a film industry specific policy document in the next few months. This is crucial in light of the economic magnitude of the global entertainment industry, and the potential it holds for us. Secondly, we will strive to increase allocation of funding for the activities of the Commission".

The chairmen of the two film associations, KFTPA and KNFA were given the opportunity to address the forum and they made an urgent appeal to the government to show more commitment towards developing the local film industry.

Ingolo wa Keya, Chairman of KNFA requested that the government speed up legislative issues and properly establish the Commission through an Act of parliament. The Association also appealed for consideration on tax rebates and incentives for the film industry. Mr. Keya remarked that film equipment such as video cameras and related accessories which are heavily taxed should be considered for tax waivers.

Mr. Keya also called on the government to increase the budgetary allocation to the Commission to boost its effectiveness.

The Chairman of the KFTPA Bob Nyanja appealed to the parent ministry to lobby to government for incentives to benefit the local film maker and producers. The association proposed a 16 percent tax waiver on the services rendered by the industry.

B. Nyanja added that his association would be willing to discuss various ways in which the government can offer tax rebates to international film makers without necessarily punching a hole into the exchequers' earnings. He added that they have worked out a viable way of incentivizing the film makers without denying the government the revenue they generate from these taxes. The onus was left to the respective government officials to grant Nyanja and his team audience.

He also called on the government to reciprocate the industry's honesty and address the legislative gaps by putting in place a film policy that is relevant. His closing appeal was for the Kenya Film Commission's and Department of Film Services roles to be rationalized and efforts synergized to get more output from the two organizations.

FROM LEFT: HENRY MUNG'ASIA (Deputy Secretary at Ministry of Information), DR. BITANGE NDEMO (P.S in Ministry of Information), HON. SAMUEL POGHISIO (Minister for Information), DR. SUKI MWENDWA (Acting Chairperson- K.F.C)

FROM LEFT: Sharing a light moment-HENRY MUNG'ASIA (Deputy Secretary in charge of Administration), P.S in the MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, DR. BITANGE NDEMO AND HON. SAMUEL POGHISIO

From Left: JULIUS MASIVO, DR. SUKI MWENDWA and HON.SAMUEL POGHISIO (MINISTER OF INFORMATION)just before the start of the Staeholders breakfast meeting.