By David Mukara

The government is working on a film policy that will come up with guidelines meant to spur growth of the sector, ICT Cabinet Secretary has said.The CS spoke when he officially opened a three day International Kalasha International TV and Film Market at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.

One of the highlights of the policy is the establishment of a national film fund that will cater for financial and tax credits, rebates and other incentives for the film industry. The Policy also seeks to enhance and encourage public private partnerships in the area of film.

Further, it seeks to strengthen collaborations with county governments and other countries in terms of film making through co-production treaties that will allow for the promotion and facilitation of cultural exchange.
Already, the government has opened up the industry’s market to international film markets, notably the Chinese market.

During the event, 20 writers who were shortlisted during the ongoing national scriptwriting competition were announced.

The 20 writers shortlisted from a will now compete in various categories for Kshs. 2 million cash prize and will be required to submit full scripts for further evaluation as the competition enters the final phase.“Earlier this year, my inistry through the Kenyan Film School and the Kenya Film Commission launched a scriptwriting competition aimed at encouraging film makers to tell our own authentic Kenyan stories in our own perspective, he said.

The winning scripts will be considered for co-production with Chinese production houses for films to be distributed to the Chinese market and the African continent under the auspices of Smart Africa initiative.

Also present during the event were ICT Principal Secretary Jerome Ochieng, Kenya Film Commission outgoing Chairman Christopher Foot, CEO Timothy Owase, Standard Group Managing Director in charge of Broadcasting Joe Munene, among others.

Kalasha International TV and Film Market is an initiative of Kenya Film Commission where local and international professionals from the audio visual and film industry get an opportunity to boost their businesses through trading content, partnership opportunities and networking.