Film brings to life national drama festival

Cover pages of winning films at the Kenya School, Colleges and Universities Drama Festivals

Film has come of age as evidenced by presentations at the annual Kenya Schools Colleges and Universities Drama Festival.

This year had 224 entries, up from 152 items last year and 114  in 2014.

The coordinator of the film programme at the festival Dr Simon Peter Otieno of the University of Nairobi, attributes the growth to the fact that schools edged out of the stage by traditional winners, have found a way to showcase their creativity.

The beauty is that subordinate staff and community members in the neghbourhood can also act in the films bringing a greater sense of ownership.

Moi University emerged the best with the film, Detox, to beat St Paul’s University Limuru with Daffodil and Maseno University’s Twist of fate.

Detox is a film by Joan Kiragu that addresses drug abuse and gambling among youth especially in colleges.

It starts with Jimmy (Caleb Mulama) receiving a phone call from one of his friends whom he owes money.

He is at the reception waiting to see the dean after an alleged suspension for alcoholism.

Two other students Edu and Liz recognise him and inquire whether he had been suspended which he answers in the affirmative adding that he has gone for rehabilitation.

The story recounts his experiences through flash back, humorous interruptions and voice over narration on alcohol addiction, his love for visual art and an attempt to reconcile with his campus girlfriend whom he has put in a family way.

The film was shot and edited by students in the Department of Literature, Theatre and Film Studies of Moi University with assistance from lecturers and mentorship by Light Box Africa.

“The Moi University team is expecting to show case the film in different places and enter it in film festivals,” said producer Cosmas Bii.

Scriptwriter Joan Kiragu hopes the society will interrogate how betting influences drug abuse.

University of Nairobi’s Escape From Reality directed by Dr Kimingichi Wabende and produced by Prof Peter Mbithi won the best Horror Movie.

Kangubiri Girls also emerged winners with their film Return To Planet Earth depicting a world that got destroyed 400 years ago because of hatred that fueled arms conflict.

The remnants are back to trace their origin and the root cause of the destruction. Will they succeed in their mission back to planet earth? The film was produced by Esther Mbuga and directed by Sophia Wachira.

Coming second was State House Girls with A Principal’s Daughter, depicting a daughter who was misunderstood by everyone including her mother the principal before a gang operating in the school takes advantage of the situation.

Ngala Memorial screen choral verse Tambua produced by Gladys Chivatsi directed by Ndede Heys scooped the best position as well.

Scripted by Omondi Boniface, Tambua depicts exams irregularities involving collusion among candidates, parents and teachers.

Kayole 1 Primary School impressed with their screenplay Unknown Angels, depicting a boy Francis (Lewis Kimani) who is weak in Mathematics.

But after putting in hours of revision and reading ahead he tops the class to the chagrin of his hitherto tormentors.