The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has set in motion the process of redefining the role of Film Agents in the country.
According to KFCB, the move is meant to create a conducive regulatory environment for filmmakers and facilitate the continued growth of the local Film Industry.
In a media briefing on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, KFCB acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Christopher Wambua said the board had published a public notice aimed at sensitizing the industry on proposed changes as well as inviting stakeholders and members of the public to submit their inputs and comments.
“The public consultation exercise will close on 13th September 2022,” Wambua told journalists.
Among the changes that KFCB seeks to introduce to the role of Film Agents is confining them to providing international standard services to foreign film and television producers.
Filming licences
The KFCB boss notes that the move has come following numerous representations from filmmakers who have been recommending the abolition of the requirement for them to register as Film Agents or be facilitated by film agents when obtaining filming licenses to enable them to comply with filming requirements.
“…it is evident that the current practice of obtaining licenses through Film Agents, among other factors, inhibits market entry for aspiring creatives and may therefore ultimately stifle the growth of foreign filmmakers,” Wambua said.
Should the proposals be adopted by the industry and other stakeholders, film agents will start concentrating on providing logistical support to foreign film and television producers as from October 2022.
“At the same time, filmmakers will be obtaining filming licenses directly from KFCB without going through an agent, subject to meeting certain requirements, including registration or incorporation of their businesses,” said the KFCB CEO during the media briefing.
But before the proposed changes on the role of Film Agents are implemented in Kenya, the board is now inviting comments from members of the public and other stakeholders as required by the constitution.
“All written submissions should be forwarded through filmagents@kfcb.go.ke,” notes the KFCB notice.
The submissions can also be forwarded to KFCB through their address.
A consultation paper on redefining the role of film agents in Kenya is available on KFCB’s website.
KFCB also affirmed its commitment to improving the regulatory environment in the film sector so as to spur continued growth of the local creative economy.
Broadcast and online video streaming services
And in one of such commitments, the board noted that it is in the final stages of developing a co-regulation framework for broadcast and online video streaming services.
The framework that has already been subjected to public consultation aims at involving broadcasters and online streaming platforms in the examination and rating of audio-visual content meant to be broadcast, distributed and exhibited on their platforms.
