Kenya Film Classification Board has announced plans to launch alternative measures geared at kickstarting the creative industry, amid subsiding COVID-19 cases. – By Gerald Gekara
The retreat that is being held at the Hilton Gardens Hotel will see several stakeholders engage on mechanisms to salvage the losses in film production and talent industry during the pandemic.
KFCB CEO, Dr. Ezekiel Mutua decried losses in the creative industry had plunged several supportive businesses into losses and closures.
“Our major theatres have suspended operations with staff being retrenched at home. 500 Million shillings have been lost in revenue because the cinemas are closed.” He added.
He added that interventions such as drive in cinemas will be reintroduced in various counties, and called upon Kenyan creatives to submit their locally made films for screening.
“Our cinema centers heavily depended on the western block buster market for movies, but now since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, both Hollywood and Bollywood markets have been scarce with content. We want Kenyan producers to take advantage of this and market their films to our cinemas.”
KFCB said the two-day retreat will draft guidelines on the reopening of film centers and formulate the digitization of its services.
In her part, Ministry of Information CAS, Maureen Mbaka applauded the KFCB for having creators in mind. She urged the board to embrace cutting edge technology in promoting local content.
“I have noted that the CEO has implemented strategic measures to keep creatives afloat, including the digital film licenses and enlisting of creatives. We as the ministry will continue to support these initiatives,” Maureen Mbaka said.
KFCB Chairman Bishop Jackson Kosgei called on media houses to preserve an African perspective in ways which they broadcast media, and shun the influence of negative ‘western’ trends.
“Be guided by a certain purpose. Tell our story and don’t be driven by a Western agenda. Without listening to ourselves we will not move anywhere.”
