Changing fortunes for Kenya's film-makers

Films are not only pieces of creative expression, but they are also tools of communication and raising awareness, and a way of calling for social change.

In Kenya, film not only provides income-generating opportunities, but it also enables social development by providing a safe, creative space for new voices and ideas.

This is the reality that motivated Ronald Mwarogo, alias, Gift, 28, to found Gift Payne Productions, whose movies are airing on Maisha Magic and Maisha Swahili on both DStv and GOtv.

The Malindi-based film-maker is riding high on the wave of his newest movie, Dzimene: The Spell of Death. The movie is a time-period thriller exploring Giriama culture.

“After working as a video producer for years, I felt it was time to focus on local film production,” he explained during an interview.

He added, “I have since found a footing in film production and I am now focused to bring out the best of Giriama traditional culture. I believe, their culture is rich and worth highlighting.”

REVENUE EARNER

Jinna Mutune is another film producer based in Nairobi. Her work has been screened in Dallas, in the United States.

Earlier in the year, Mutune cut deals with two airlines, Kenya Airways and Emirates, to offer her movie Leo in-flight. Leo has also been screened on Multichoice’s M-Net Channels on DStv and GOtv reaching many households across Africa.

Mwarogo and Mutune are among the growing number of young film-maker in Kenya and beneficiaries of the government directive that repealed import duty on filming equipment’s and capital expenditure.

The combination of a rich cultural heritage with new media and technological opportunities has led to the emergence of a new breed of storyteller — the independent film-maker.

These film-makers cannot be divorced from their environment, and therefore play a critical role in contributing to positive social and political development.

Four years ago, the Kenyan government removed the import duty of 25 per cent and VAT of 16 per cent on television cameras, digital cameras and video recorders in a move to create employment and generate income and promote the entertainment industry.

The government, through then Minister of Finance Uhuru Kenyatta, also granted 100 per cent investment deduction on capital expenditure incurred by a film producer on purchase of any filming equipment.

This was done to leapfrog the film industry, which had lagged behind in comparison with other destinations such as South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria.

Today, the Kenya film industry has grown and the government has recognized the importance of the arts as a revenue earner and that is a cause of celebration.

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According to Michael Onyango of THE Kenya Film Commission, “we are at a point where film is being done professionally and being taken seriously. The government is looking at incentives and more than that they want to ensure that we have the requisite skills to compete internationally.”

Onyango revealed, “Key in the agenda is a film school, whose construction will start this year. Beyond the physical structure, we want to upscale the skills of the people.”

Mwarogo's first film, Koloa, which is airing on Maisha Magic and was filmed in Swahili, is yet another indication that local content is being appreciated.

This has opened up a race and a battle for the best quality local content among the broadcasters, hence benefitting the producers.

GOtv, DStv, KTN, NTV, Citizen TV, and Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) have been on the frontline purchasing the best quality productions to meet the threshold of 40 per cent local content.

Recently, M-Net, a subsidiary of Multichoice Kenya, acquired "Vitimbi", which is now airing on DStv and GOtv platforms under Maisha Magic Channels. "Vitimbi" is one of the oldest productions by KBC.

In October, the Communications Authority (CA) urged broadcasters to guarantee 40 per cent of airtime for local content or risk heavy penalties when they apply for renewal of spectrum licenses.

The directive on local content programming was issued by the government in January with a view to creating more jobs in the creative industry.

CA Director-General Francis Wangusi said only two broadcasters have achieved the 40 per cent local content, adding that most TV and radio stations are producing 15-30 per cent.

“We want to use the USF to encourage investment in local content. Our multimedia department will start engaging local producers on the procedure for getting the funds,” he said.

BRIGHT FUTURE

These are sentiments that Onyango echoes: “We have the digital migration coming up and there is already a demand of local content. This tells you that there is a great opportunity of film-makers and the future looks bright and exciting.”

Onyango advises that film-makers need to think beyond borders and commercial success.

“The sector challenge is to create spaces for innovative, creative film-making while also recognising that resources, and skills, are limited. It takes time for social and political impact to be felt and understood, and the expanding film industry in Africa must be aware that commercial success is not the only goal here.

"A film can travel across borders and time and be translated into numerous languages, just as a film festival can bring the world to a local audience.”

Watch the official trailer of Dzimenehere.