Film agency to partner with French Embassy

The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) will work with the French Embassy in an effort to improve its film classification processes.

Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) CEO Ezekiel Mutua

This was announced by KFCB Chief Executive Officer Ezekiel Mutua when he hosted the Cultural and Cooperation Counselor of the French Embassy in Kenya, Mr Pierre-Jean Tutin.

Mutua said the board would seek the support of the embassy to upgrade the film board’s online classification processes to make them faster, efficient and effective.

“We will also seek to explore best practices, including borrowing aspects of the French film regulatory model to meet the increasing content regulation demands owing to the recently released Programming Code that requires the Board to rate all TV programmes, except events and news,” said Mutua.

The KFCB boss said the board was also in the process of amending the Film and Stage Plays Act as well as  formulating a film policy. 

He said the repeal of the Stage Plays Act Cap 222  in 1997 created a gap in the regulation of stage plays. “There are several regulatory aspects of the Act that needed to be strengthened to capture the dynamics of the sector,” he said.

Tutin promised to support KFCB in its work, including creating linkages between the Kenyan film regulator and France in exchange  programmes and sharing of ideas.

KFCB recently took over the regulatory role of films  from the Department of Film Services following recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on Parastatal Reforms. It is also seeking support to modernise its licensing services to make its operations more efficient and cost effective.

“We want to play a facilitative role, not punitive in providing services to our customers and our partnership with the French Embassy is part of our wider efforts to contribute to the growth of the industry,” Mutua said.

 The French Embassy pledged to collaborate with KFCB and the Kenya Film Commission in organising  the 2016 edition of the Kalasha television  awards.

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