Cinematic Closet Celebrates Its First Cohort as Industry Leaders Champion Collaboration and Professional Growth
Nairobi, Kenya — Cinematic Closet celebrated a milestone in its journey with the graduation of its first cohort of costume designers, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals and emerging creatives for an event focused on skills development, collaboration and the future of Kenya’s film industry.
The event was attended by notable personalities, including actress Sarah Hassan, Reuben Odanga, Dr. Susan Gatimu, Charity Torut of the Kenya Film Commission (KFC), and award-winning costume designer Viva Njeri Kimotho.
The gathering highlighted the importance of costume design in filmmaking, the need for creatives to develop their expertise, and opportunities for filmmakers to turn their craft into sustainable careers.
Bridging Costume Design and Film Production
Dr. Susan Gatimu emphasized the complementary relationship between costume design and acting, noting that the two disciplines work together to bring characters and stories to life on screen.
Her remarks highlighted the importance of collaboration across different departments of film production, where costume designers contribute to character development, visual storytelling and the overall cinematic experience.
She also encouraged filmmakers to explore innovative ways of monetizing their work, including making films accessible through streaming platforms and developing opportunities for audiences to engage with stories in different formats, including text.
Dr. Gatimu further encouraged emerging creatives to remain open to learning from experienced professionals, emphasizing the value of networking, collaboration and engaging with people who have knowledge and expertise in the industry.
Kenya Film Commission Encourages Creatives to Specialize
Charity Torut, a Senior Film Industry Development Officer at the Kenya Film Commission, encouraged filmmakers to identify their niche, invest time in it and continuously refine their skills.
She urged creatives to take ownership of their craft, specialize in their chosen areas and work towards perfecting their expertise.
Her remarks underscored the importance of building a distinct professional identity in an increasingly competitive film industry, where technical proficiency and a clear creative direction can help practitioners stand out.
Torut also highlighted funding opportunities available through the Kenya Film Commission for both emerging and established filmmakers. According to the information shared at the event, support opportunities cater to filmmakers applying as individuals or through organizations.
She further pointed to the importance of regional film hubs in supporting the growth of the industry beyond major urban centres, helping filmmakers access resources and opportunities closer to their communities.
Celebrating the First Cinematic Closet Cohort
A key highlight of the event was the graduation of Cinematic Closet’s first cohort, comprising four participants who completed the programme.
The cohort was launched with the four graduating participants: Kanyi Mouthing, Joy Adah, Phyllis Munene and Pearl Achando. Awards were presented in recognition of the cohort’s achievement.
The first cohort’s graduation marked an important step for Cinematic Closet in its efforts to support skills development and nurture talent within Kenya’s costume design and film industries.
The event also acknowledged the contribution of the Africa Film and Fashion Collective (AFFC), which was involved in planning the first cohort.
Award-winning costume designer Viva Njeri Kimotho was also present, adding to the gathering of industry professionals championing the growth and recognition of costume design as an essential part of filmmaking.
What Next for Cinematic Closet?
With its first cohort graduating, Cinematic Closet is looking ahead to the next phase of its training programme.
The initiative is set to continue with a one-month course, with registration currently ongoing. The next programme is scheduled to run from 9 November to 2 December 2026.
The upcoming cohort presents an opportunity for aspiring costume designers and creatives interested in developing their skills to participate in the programme.
As Kenya’s film industry continues to explore new avenues for growth, initiatives such as Cinematic Closet demonstrate the value of specialized training, collaboration and professional development.
The graduation served as a reminder that building a stronger film industry requires more than telling compelling stories. It also requires investing in the people and creative disciplines that bring those stories to life.
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