In a move set to revolutionize Kenya’s film industry, CS Ababu-Terrah Egh, representing the Government of Kenya, signed a groundbreaking agreement with Hollywood’s Invention Studios CEO Nicky Weinstockat the Kenyan Consulate in Los Angeles.
The historic deal, coming on the heels of a similar agreement with the NBA in New York, marks a significant step towards realizing President William Ruto’s vision of positioning Kenya as a premier filmmaking destination. Under this partnership, the Kenyan government will extend a range of incentives to Invention Studios, including visa waivers, streamlined equipment importation, and facilitated access to filming locations.
In return, Invention Studios commits to promoting Kenya as a prominent filming destination, producing multiple movies in Kenya, and actively supporting the Talanta Hela Initiative, aimed at nurturing talent and safeguarding the intellectual property of Kenyan creatives.
One of the key components of the deal is the transformation of e-Talanta into a global platform for showcasing Kenyan and African creative content. This move promises to provide a significant boost to the visibility and recognition of African talents on the international stage.
During the negotiations, attended by Kenya’s Consul General in Los Angeles Ted Kwakwa and top Hollywood agent Ozi Menakaya, it was also agreed that Invention Studios would provide technical and advisory support to Kenya for the forthcoming Youth Connekt Africa Summit, scheduled for December 8th to 12th, 2023, in Nairobi.
This agreement is seen as a precursor to comprehensive policy and legislative measures being developed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Arts, and Sports to unlock the full potential of the Creative Industry. It coincides with the Ministry’s upcoming historic Film Summit in Nairobi on September 29th, where stakeholders will discuss the draft Film Incentives Framework and industry-related policy and legislative proposals.
The impact of the Invention Studios deal is immense, encompassing global marketing opportunities for Kenya, educational initiatives for youth and creatives, increased employment prospects during movie productions, capacity building for Kenyan creatives, and the enhancement of Kenya’s film school.
With the agreement now in place, Invention Studios is gearing up to commence filming in Kenya, marking a pivotal moment in the transformation of Kenya into a continental hub for filmmaking commerce in Africa.
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