KFCB to support growth of Kenya's film industry as Curtains fall on the National Drama, Music and Film Festival 2021
The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) once more partnered with Kenya Universities Performing Arts and Film Association (KUPAA) in the 3rd National Drama, Music and Film Festival that concluded on Saturday, 23rd October, 2021 at the Meru University of Science and Technology, in Meru County.
KFCB has for the past three years supported the Festival that brings together students from public and private universities across the country to showcase their talents in performing arts, theater, music and film under the KUPAA umbrella.
Speaking at the closing ceremony and Awards Gala, KFCB's Ag. Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Christopher Wambua, reiterated the Board's commitment to support the growth of Kenya's Creative Arts industry.
"KFCB recognizes the Creative Arts as a vehicle for social change and its key role in promoting and safeguarding Kenya’s culture, moral values, national aspirations and socio-economic transformation," he said.
Mr. Wambua said the Board through the Sinema Mashinani initiative is keen on collaborating with other like-minded public and private sector agencies including institutions of learning, local creatives and students to promote Kenya's Creative Arts industry.
While echoing the significance of the Creative Arts in the growth of Kenya's economy, he took note of the key role Arts play in promoting Kenya's culture, diversity and cohesion.
"Works of art such as music, story-telling, film and poetry, theater and performing arts are powerful tools for promoting Kenya's cultural diversity and cohesion as well as an avenue for job and wealth creation," Mr. Wambua added.
The Ag. CEO urged creatives to harness the existing opportunities in the Creative sector for socio-economic empowerment.
He lauded KUPAA for spearheading the National Drama, Music and Film Festival which he said provides learners with opportunities to not only showcase their talents, but also inspires them to exploit their talents for job opportunities and wealth creation, in line with the Presidential Big 4 Agenda as well as the Vision 2030.
The KFCB also used the opportunity to sensitize students on the need to create clean content that embraces our culture, morality and national aspirations as well as to endeavor to produce pieces that are of General exhibition, for all family viewing so as not to prematurely expose children to adult content.
The Board is collaborating with institutions of learning from the ECD to the university level under the Ministry of Education’s (MoE), Kenya National Drama, Music and Film Festival (KNDFF), to identify and nurture student’s talents as well as inculcate moral values among learners.
KFCB remains committed to working with local content creators, film students and other like-minded public and private sector agencies on the possibility of commercializing student’s talents for job opportunities and wealth creation in line with the Manufacturing Pillar of the Presidential Big Four Agenda and Vision 2030.
This year's festival attracted participation from 25 Kenya's public and private universities under the theme: 'Advocating for Social Responsibility through Performing Arts in the Post COVID-19 Era'.