Details Of Deal CS Namwamba Signed With Hollywood Studios

Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba on Saturday, September 23 signed a deal with Hollywood's Invention Studios that opens the door for the rapid growth of Kenya's film industry.

The signing of the deal comes a day after the CS signed a historic deal with the National Basketball Association (NBA) in New York which will see it open an office in Nairobi to grow the local basketball sector.

Hollywood Invention Studios CEO Nicky Weinstock witnessed the signing of the bumper deal at the Kenyan Consulate in Los Angeles.

Photo of CS Ababu Namwamba and Hollywood CEO Nicky Weinstock in Los Angeles on September 23, 2023. /MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS, THE ARTS AND SPORTS

"The deal, signed at the Kenyan Consulate in Los Angeles by CS Ababu for Government of Kenya and Invention Studios CEO Nicky Weinstock, is the rapid realisation of a commitment made by H.E President William Ruto when he visited LA earlier this week, and disclosed that the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Arts and Sports was Instituting a comprehensive Incentives Framework to strategically position Kenya as a film making destination of choice," the Ministry of Sports stated in part.

The deal will see the government of Kenya extend a raft of Incentives to Invention Studios for ease of filming in Kenya.

This includes visa waivers, relaxed entry of filming equipment and ease of access to filming locations.

In return, Invention Studios will promote Kenya as a filming destination, shoot multiple movies in Kenya, and support the Talanta Hela Initiative by growing talents and promoting the protection of Kenyan creatives' intellectual property and access to royalties.

"The deal will see e-Talanta become a global platform for Kenyan and African creative content.

"In talks attended by Kenya's Consul General in Los Angeles Ted Kwakwa and top Hollywood agent Ozi Menakaya, it was further agreed that Invention Studios would offer technical and advisory support to Kenya for the forthcoming YouthConnekt Africa Summit, scheduled for Nairobi on December 8th - 12th, 2023," added the statement.

This deal is a dress rehearsal for policy and legislative measures the Ministry is developing to consolidate and unleash the full potential of the creative industry.

It also comes just a week before the Ministry hosts a historic Film Summit in Nairobi on Friday, September 29, as a follow-up to the first Creatives Summit of November 2022.

The Summit will, among other agendas, discuss the draft Film Incentives Framework as well as policy and legislative proposals for the industry.

The Sports Ministry hailed the Invention Studios deal as one that bears immense impact, offering unprecedented outlet in global marketing of Kenya and its products, master class clinics for creatives/youth, employment opportunities during movie productions, capacity building for Kenyans in the creative sector and upgrading of the capabilities of the Kenya film school.

The ultimate goal is to elevate Kenya to the continental hub for filming commerce in Africa. With the agreement in place, Invention Studios agreed to commence preparations to start filming in Kenya.

The deal as well as the summit aims to place Kenya as a top film destination in Africa. It is third behind Nigeria (Second) and South Africa (first).

Photo of CS Ababu Namwamba and Hollywood CEO Nicky Weinstock in Los Angeles on September 23, 2023. /MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS, THE ARTS AND SPORTS