Rising in the progressive Kenyan Film Industry requires a lot of resilience, as it is not a one-night dream come true but a process full of challenges.
Since the Coronavirus pandemic from 2019 onwards, the demand for entertainment skyrocketed, and time spent on Video on Demand services such as Netflix and Showmax increased drastically, which kept creatives on their toes to feed the growing demand for creative content.
In a report by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), The African Film Industry: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities for Growth, over 129,000 people were employed directly by the Kenyan film industry in 2019.
In the recent past, filmmaking was a concept known to a few, but now with the advancement of technology, it is easy to learn and make a good film.
With a camera and a good script, one can make a film that plays a major role in the community and even make a living out of it.
Accessibility of online tools to create films and the social media presence to distribute these films, the country is on a path to greatness.
Kenya and Africa, in general, stand better chances of making high-quality movies not just for entertainment but also as tools of cultural and political liberation.
A journey to the top
Godfred Wafula, a film producer and CEO of Strong Pillars Entertain Kenya, tells Scholar Media Africa of his story, one of a rising star and of not giving up.
“I did not attend any film school. I just finished my high school education and came to Nairobi to start a life; those were not the best years of my life but I’m glad after years of persistence and hardwork, I did it,” says Wafula.
Wafula’s journey in the film industry started in 2013 as a stage artist and set-book actor with Prudent Productions as he trained more in directing and producing award-winning films.
“After two years of travelling the country and acting in schools, I decided to push myself on my own and start my own production because I wanted to be seen on the screen,” Wafula explains.
He started with Mavoko Theatrics in Mlolongo, but the bright star was dimmed fast as they lacked an end goal.
With resilience, he rebranded to Faders Entertainment and incorporated other activities such as modeling and spoken word art.
However, it was too overwhelming, hence its downfall.
“There is power in a name; Faders Entertainment faded as soon as it started. It was overwhelming for me to manage all those things at once. I would set stage plays and stall the other forms of arts,” he told Scholar Media.
The spirit of resilience had grown in him.
Wafula and his committee came up with a name that would lift his art, Strong Pillars Entertain, which has since taken his art to a new level.
“One week after rebranding, in 2020, Strong Pillars Entertain got a contracted deal with Standard Media’s KTN; it was only the beginning after 5 years of disappointment in the industry,” said the filmmaker.
He has since played roles that have been aired on Kenya’s KBC and Maisha Magic East.
Currently, the production has just finalized working on a film, She is Our Husband, premiering on 26th March at 67 Airport Hotel Syokimau.
They have offices in Mlolongo and have been producing films for K24 and other media.
“To budding actors and filmmakers, keep the focus, believe in the impossible, and bloom where you are planted. This industry needs great, disciplined and talented people like you. In everything, put God first,” Wafula advises.
State of Kenya’s film industry
The Kenyan film industry is fast-growing, with penetration in the international ground as Video on Demand services such as Netflix are buying locally made films.
The industry made a big milestone on July 15, 2022, when the first homegrown series, Country Queen, hit the screens on Netflix, which marked a big investment for the Kenyan film industry by the international video service provider.
Netflix has since signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build up the country’s talent and its production capacity, witnessed by more investment in locally produced films such as Nairobi Half-Life (2012) and Uradi (2020), among others.
Even with the giant milestone in the international ground, creatives in the country are underfunded and underrated, which has been credited to the Kenyan way of upbringing, as Dr. Susan Gitimu, a film lecturer at Kenyatta University and Beyond the Film Women in Film Awards (WIFA) director, explains.
“We were brought up to believe that arts cannot pay and people want to just be doctors and engineers when they grow up. There’s a need to change the narrative and have room for conversation as children pick their future careers,” explains Dr. Gitimu.
She explained that several institutions of higher learning have embraced film by introducing certifications on film as a whole, as compared to earlier, where film would be combined with communication as a course.
On the film culture in the country, the lecturer terms it as emergent, with the rise of social media making it easier for Kenyans who cannot go to the cinemas to stream it online.
“It is heartwarming to see that Kenyans still appreciate going to cinemas for movie premieres to the point that tickets are sold out. Films like A Grand Little Lie (GLL) linked viewers through a website which have all kept the film culture alive in the country,” she explained.
Speaking on the state of filmmaking in Kenya, Ryann Okello, a creative writer and cinematographer, applauded the Kenyan government for the efforts put into the art through collaborating with international governments to ensure filmmaking is a successful venture.
“I acknowledge the effort by our government to seek help from the German and the French governments, both who are currently offering mentorship programs. It is clear that the government is using most of its available resources to help and mentor filmmakers to achieve their creative potential,” said the young creative.
Through the hardwork and resilience of creatives, terrestrial programming has a wide range of content to choose from when looking for content to add to their programming, and we can now enjoy more Kenyan content.
Challenges
However, the progressive industry sprouts within challenges that have stunted its development.
“High-end filmmaking is an expensive business which requires immense funding. This is a big challenge to young filmmakers and producers as without a solid portfolio, it is hard to land sponsorships and grants from the government or well-wishers,” Okello explained.
Originality in flow and sets is wanting in the Kenyan film industry, as opposed to the current trend where local producers and scriptwriters lack authenticity and try to copy international movies.
Okello notes that the booming industry would grow exponentially if the media would support local films by providing coverage, as seen in other countries where local channels play only local films and music.
“Legalities in procuring airtime on national television limits a lot of creators from having their content aired. The media should push for visibility for locally made films,” he urges.
Appreciating creatives in the country
Over the years, stakeholders in the film industry, such as producers, directors, actors and actresses, have been awarded in different categories to recognize their effort and set benchmarks for future film practitioners.
Kalasha International TV and Film awards
Achievers in films and TV series that have been aired on Kenyan Television are awarded this annual accolade by the Kenya Film Commission.
The award seeks to reward exceptional talent in Kenya’s film industry and recognize excellence that spurs more growth in the industry.
This accolade dates back to 2009 and has since been happening annually in the last quarter of the year.
Women in Film Awards (WIFA)
Women filmmakers are lauded for their effort in boosting Kenya’s film industry in March every year, which is considered Women’s History Month, appreciating them for their contributions to history and societal developments.
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With its fourth edition set for next month, WIFA has awarded over 40 women with prestigious awards in different categories, such as best actress in TV drama, best editor, and best animator, among others.
Besides these awards, there are numerous film festivals held in the country, all in an effort to publicize film while mentoring young and upcoming filmmakers.
