(3 minutes read)
· The Kenya Film Commission (KFC) says film makers,
scriptwriters and producers are in great difficulty
· They have lost up to Sh1 billion since the first case of
Covid-19 was reported in the country in March
The Kenya Film Commission (KFC) says film makers, scriptwriters and
producers are in great difficulty. They have lost up to Sh1 billion
since the first case of Covid-19 was reported in the country in March,
according to the Commission. Wage payments amounting to Sh373.6
million and project cancellations are the major reasons for the poor
financial performance of the sector, the commission said, quoting a
survey of 192 registered companies and independent film producers.
Significantly, recently President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the
government had set aside Sh100 million to help local musicians and
actors during the difficult times. As a follow up of this, KFC has
asked filmmakers and producers from all 47 counties to submit concepts
to be considered for the package.
The movie market in Kenya is considered to be a high risk area unlike
in countries like Nigeria. That has dissuaded the financial
institutions to lend to this sector because of a large number of
disbursements turning non-performing assets.
To address that issue, KFC is now planning to form a partnership with
local banks to provide loans to film makers and other artists. The
Commission is of the view that with good packaging, and addressing
the handicaps in distribution, Kenyan films can make money like their
counterparts in Nigeria or South Africa.
