The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has rolled out a sensitization programme to streamline content production in the creative industry.
The initiative dubbed Creatives in Arts and Film Literacy (CAFIL), seeks to empower creatives in Arts and Film to create content that upholds Kenya’s cultural values while safeguarding children from exposure to inappropriate media content.
KFCB’s acting manager in charge of licensing Marcus Alexander said the programme has been informed by lack of information among the creatives on the existing policy framework that guide the sector.
Alexander said apart from licensing most creatives are not conversant with other requisite factors of consideration before venturing out to film production.
“Besides the film license issued by KFCB, it is imperative that creatives be aware of other factors, among them seeking consent where necessary and securing the relevant permits from other government agencies,” he said.
Consequently, he disclosed that the initiative aims to create awareness of the legal framework and licensing procedures to ensure production of clean content and sustainable growth of the sector.
Alexander revealed that KFCB was developing a number of policies that target to create suitable regulatory environment for film makers and creatives.
Among the regulations, he said include user-generated content policy and self-classification policy which if adopted will make the licensing and regulation processes more convenient for the sector players.
“We are trying to provide a conducive regulatory environment for the industry-by developing policies that can accommodate and keep to speed with the new trends that are presented by technology,” he said during a stakeholder engagement forum in Kisumu town.
According to Alexander, the local film industry has registered tremendous growth, with the number of local productions licensed outnumbering foreign productions. “These forums we are undertaking across the country are meant to gather feedback from the industry and will inform the policy that we are going to put in place going forward.”
KFCB acting chief Manager in charge of corporate services Nelly Muluka said the state agency seeks to capacity build the filmmakers and all the actors within the audio-visual space to sharpen their understanding of the regulatory environment.
Muluka said the move followed revelations that despite the potential in the creative space many people before venturing in film production do not probably understand what they need to do, the legal framework , the processes and agencies that are involved in the creative industry.
“In this program, we are targeting the creatives in all genres in line with the government’s plan to harness the potential of all the creatives within the country to contribute positively towards the economy,” said Muluka.
She noted that KFCB working with other related agencies has developed regulatory framework policies for film practitioners in the country to create a facilitative regulatory environment that will ease the way of doing business.
“The objective is to ensure we impart all of them with particular knowledge within our regulatory framework so that they become well equipped to know what is necessary as they do their work,” she said, adding that the Board’s CAFIL Programme will also be extended in Nakuru, Embu, Mombasa and other parts of the country to ensure the creatives are empowered through getting the necessary information.
