How Much You Need To Make A Movie Or TV Show In Kenya

Ever wonder how much film companies have to pay the government to successfully shoot and produce a movie or a TV series in the country, other than the internal costs that can run beyond millions of shillings?

The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) on Monday, January 15 broke down the requirements and charges imposed on filmmakers intending to make films and stage plays under the Citizens' Service Delivery Charter.

Citizen Service Delivery Charters are public agreements between citizens and the organisation that give a systematic approach to meeting the expectations and standards in the realm of service delivery.

In KFCB's case, it guides its services in line with its regulatory mandate as stipulated in the Films and Stage Plays Act, Cap 222 of the Laws of Kenya.

The board offers services whose fees may vary and they include issuance of filming licenses, registration of film agents, issuance of film stickers and classification and rating of films.

Other services include the issuance of classification catalogues, issuance of exhibitor's licenses, issuance of distributor's licenses, inspection of exhibitors' and distributors' premises and monitoring of free-to-air TV and radio.

Other than the charges, each application has different requirements interested parties must make. Viral Tea breaks down how much film-makers need to pay KFCB while making a film or TV series:

Filming Licenses

This entails making full-length feature films, TV Series, Web and Docuseries per season as well as documentaries, short film features, advertisements, corporate videos, or music videos.

For making feature films, applicants are required to have a duly filled application form as well as a detailed synopsis, a screenplay, a shooting schedule, and a list of equipment.

For a license fee, one is charged Ksh15,000 per film and a filming fee of Ksh1,000 per filming day, within a timeline of 48 hours, a timeline also applicable for TV series.

For a TV series, web series, or docuseries per season, one will need a detailed synopsis, screenplay, shooting schedule, and a list of equipment. License fee charges are similar to those of making films.

Kenyans seeking to make documentaries, short film features, advertisements, corporate videos, or music videos will require a duly filled application form as well as either a detailed synopsis, script, treatment or a storyboard, a shooting schedule, and a list of equipment.

They will pay a license fee of Ksh5,000 per film and a filming fee of Ksh1,000 each day for a timeline of between 10 and 25 minutes.

Film Agents

Those seeking to register as film agents will be required to duly fill out an application form as well as a company certificate of registration, VAT certificate, professional certificate, and a list of equipment.

Charges are Ksh12,000 per annum (per year) for a timeline of 15 minutes.

Classification of Rating of Films

KFCB has its format of classifying the rating of films, starting from the lowest which is GE (General Exhibition) for all audiences to the highest which is 18, restricted for persons 18 years old and above. 

Other ratings include PG for Parental Guidance which is recommended and 16, which is for films not suitable for persons under the age of 16.

For this category, applicants will be required to possess a film in the prescribed format and a duly filled application form.

The classification varies for posters and trailers, as well as commercials where each applicant shall be charged Ksh1,000 while for each feature or documentary, each applicant shall pay Ksh100 per minute, all with a timeline of one working day.

Exhibitors License

All applicants will be required to have a duly filled application form. However, the charges vary for categories such as video shows, Play Station and theatre.

For video shows and Play Station, the charges are Ksh2,000 while for theatre, the charges are Ksh10,000 per screening. All have a timeline of 15 minutes.

Other charges

Issuance of a distributor's license will require you to have a duly filled application form and you will be charged Ksh3,000 with a timeline of 15 minutes.

The inspection of exhibitors' or distributor's premises and monitoring of free-to-air TV and radio is free of charge. No requirements have been given for the issuance of classification catalogues.

You will also be charged Ksh10 per sticker for the issuance of a film sticker.

Inside a gaming lounge in Nairobi, Kenya. /FILE