The First Lady, Mama Rachel Ruto, has urged upcoming filmmakers in Kenya to tell local stories through productions that meet the standards required by international film distribution channels.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the NGO International Film Festival, she said young people who love films should take advantage of government programs such as Talanta Hela.
She said that way, young people will be able to transform our inner memories and life stories into films.
“The government is committed to working with stakeholders to expand the creative space, protect intellectual property rights and identify the necessary incentives from the government to increase production within the creative economy,” she said.
The theme for the 2023 edition focused on the role of film in promoting messages in education, equality and climate change.
“The film industry is featured in the Kenyan Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda under the main digital channels and pillars of the creative economy,” she said.
Mama Rachel Ruto asked the organizers of the festival to create a platform where professionals in the industry can give skills to budding film artists as a way of giving back.
The collaboration between the International Film Festival NGO and the Kenya Film Commission will develop the film industry in Kenya to international standards.
The First Lady emphasized the role played by filmmakers in bringing important stories of human interest, issues in society and target areas.
“By packing content in an entertaining and interesting way, the film brings us conversations and concerns that we would miss if it were done in a different way,” she added.
