Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Arts Hassan Wario. [Photo/The Star]
Kenya will host this year's International Film Conference this week to seek ways of promoting and accelerating development of film industry.
At least 100 delegates will attend the conference.
Sports, Culture and Arts Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario said the conference will help create a platform for actors in the region to exchange ideas and network with others from different parts of the globe.
“The conference will help harness the potential of the creative arts in East Africa region,” Wario said in a statement.
The Nov. 15-17 meeting is a collaborative effort between the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), the European Union (EU), the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the French Embassy in Kenya.
Wario noted that the convention will lead to better understanding of the opportunities available in the industry by promoting co-productions to further shared values.
“The wide range of participants will provide a rare opportunity for Kenyan filmmakers to exchange ideas with some of the best actors from the global arena,” Wario added.
The theme of the convention is “Taking the audiovisual and film industry in Eastern Africa to the next level.”
Franch Ambassador to Kenya Antoine Sivan revealed that there is growing international interest in the potential of the cultural and creative industries to drive sustainable development.
“The industry contributes to economic growth with estimated revenue of 250 billion U.S. dollars a year besides creating 29.5 million jobs globally,” he added.
Sivan observed that the industry is a potential and important contributor to social cohesion and nation building through the promotion of intercultural dialogue, understanding, and collaboration.
Delegates are expected to come from France, United States of America, India, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi. Established filmmakers from Hollywood, Bollywood, and Nollywood are also expected to attend.
Delegates from France will present the various government measures, laws and regulations that govern and oversee the audio-visual and film sector in France.