Late last year, the Kenya Film Commission announced a film grant inviting filmmakers with international producer backing to apply. As a filmmaker myself, I couldn’t help but reflect on the challenges I have faced and continue to encounter with many similar opportunities. This isn’t meant to criticize the grant or others like it; rather, it’s an observation that creative flexibility is often not prioritized in many grants in Kenya.
Naturally, there is a significant curiosity about the stories and spectacles that will be showcased in these international producer-backed projects. However, we must also consider the many indie filmmakers who lack such support yet possess their scripts, mood boards, shot lists, pitch decks, and other pre-production materials like armor, ready for similar opportunities. These filmmakers seldom sit idly by; they actively seek out local collaborators and search for various grants, whether local or international. Nevertheless, the presence of a commission undeniably sets the pace for others in the industry.
Theme-driven grants have been increasing in popularity over the years, successfully raising awareness about many important topics. However, there is also a growing concern about the lack of grants that offer creative flexibility. While the technical aspects of the films funded by these grants can be unique, I believe that the quality of storytelling has suffered. I can’t shake the feeling that if more non-theme-driven grants were available, it would create a more balanced landscape in filmmaking.
This observation is certainly subject to scrutiny. I welcome your thoughts on all our social media platforms.
