The Kenyan government has partnered with Hollywood- Invention Studios based in the United States of America, to support and promote the production of Kenyan stories, through film and television.
Speaking during a press briefing, on Tuesday, at Talanta Hela Plaza, Nairobi, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Ababu Namwamba, together with Mr. Nicholas Weinstock, the Founder and President of Invention Studios, Los Angeles, said through the partnership the creative industry in Kenya, has made a good leap with the U.S based studio.
The partnership follows President William Ruto’s pronouncement during last year’s Jamuhuri Days celebration, that the innovation studios would embark on productions in Kenya in 2024.
The CS said, that after a meeting held in September last year with key partners and the Kenyan government, three important agreements were signed on behalf of the government and the partners.
The agreements included the National Basketball Association (NBA) from the USA bringing the NBA to Kenya, the Grammys bringing the benefits of the Grammys to African music, and the Invention Studio, partnering with the film industry.
“Today we are delighted that the government in association with the Kenya Film Association, has officially partnered with the Invention Studio of USA, to take the Kenya Film Industry to the next level,” said the CS.
The CS added that Kenya is ready to take its space in the film industry, as a destination of choice.
He termed the deal as historic and revolutionary, noting that Kenya will have exchange programs with elite filmmakers to enable the country to have serious movies, films, and TV shows curated and shot in Kenya.
Namwamba added that the Ministry has planned to hold a meeting with over 500 stakeholders, including directors, actors, media, scriptwriters and other responsible members who make the industry tick.
“This deal is not a measure taken haphazardly, but it’s all part of the plan to improve the creative industry and the lucrative measures, to position Kenya as a destination of choice for filmmaking,” he stated.
“We firmly have the presence of the NBA, which has established two elite basketball courts at Kasarani and is rolling out the program that will cascade over the entire schooling ecosystem program,” said Namwamba.
“The government didn’t just travel for the sake of travelling nor sign the agreements for the sake of signing, but did it through deliberate extension structure, implementation agreement that seeks to advance an agenda program through the partnership,” he added.
Invention Studio President Mr. Weinstock said “For the first time under our mission, Invention Studios would be working hand in hand with Kenyan creators and through the support of the Kenyan government, Ministry of Youth Affairs Creative Economy and Sports, and the Kenya Film Industry,”