Thursday, 12 July 2018

ZIFF2018

In the murky world of Kenyan creatives and film making, it's a Herculean task for young talented  but financially challenged film makers to produce and showcase their talents through films especially if the film makers come from the informal settlements.

According to recent report by United Nations; Human Development Index (HDI) 2017, Kenya recorded 39.1 percent unemployment rate and most of the unemployed youths come from the informal settlement.

It is this harsh reality  of life that has propelled young talented film makers from K-Youth Media to cast their net deeper into the unknown world of film making.


Meet MISFIT, a K- Youth media production that highlights the plight of a young man living with albinism in the Modern African society and just like the challenges depicted in the short poetical film, anyone involved in film making in Kenya will tell you how hard it is to produce a film especially if you don't have a dime.

Shockingly, Misfit was done on a 20 dollar budget. The director, Karanja Ng'endo and the main character, the reigning Mr. Albinism Kenya Jairus Ong'etta hooked up mysteriously and went down to Malindi and alas! MISFIT was shot. Just like that!. That speaks volumes about the potential and sacrifice that young aspiring film makers have and it came as reprieve when Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) came to the rescue months later after the film was nominated for awards in the prestigious Zanzibar International Film Festivals (ZIFF) awards under the school category.

Four members of K youth Media were fully sponsored to attend the festivals in Zanzibar. Everything was carted for by the board.


"Under the leadership of Hon. DR Ezekiel Mutua, the CEO of KFCB, we the young aspiring film makers, might just have found a saviour and we are humbled that he has interest in young film makers like us. God bless KFCB." Joseph Muthee K-youth media

Mukuru news followed the unfoldings like a soap opera and true to the core, the film makers stay was pure experience to say the least.

"KFCB Corporate communications manager, Madam Nelly Muluka was vital and helpful in ensuring our stay in Zanzibar was smooth. She went out of her way to assist in every possible way, thanks a lot " Brian Obiri from K youth.


Kenya Film Classification Board sponsored 10 film makers to attend the awards and among them were students from Kenya Film school and the school's Deputy director Madam Victoria Goro literally  adopted the four film makers from k-youth media and the experience and knowledge they accumulated was exceptional.


Dr Ezekiel Mutua and his team at KFCB have given a glimpse of hope to the young film makers of this country that indeed, despite the challenges involved, there is light at the end of the tunnel and that KFCB will embrace lively positive ideas in film making. Sir, keep the door open for more film makers...



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