Sh 2million film writing competition finalists announced

ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru (PHOTO: FILE)

NAIROBI, KENYA: The Kenya Film Commission has already shortlisted 20 film manuscripts for the Sh2 million writing competition.
Among the shortlisted storylines include Train Stops by Anthony Mochama,  Male 3000 by Tonny Njuguna, Lost in The Village by Jirongo Luyali, Enraged by George Wekesa, Life is a Marathon by Beatrice Wang’ondu, Two Morons and A Moran by Dancurf Oyaro, Soul Pilgrim by Shamas Bhanji and Baby by Keith Ndega among others.
This was disclosed by the ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru during the start of the International kalasha Film Marketplace at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre.
The competition attracted 549 entries within the 3-week period that entries were received.
“I am pleased to inform you that the able jury of 9 film industry practitioners and experts, has completed the first round of reviewing all entries and have shortlisted 20 scripts,’ announced Mr. Mucheru.
He said that other than the cash prize, the winning and finalist scripts will be considered for co-production with Chinese production houses for films to be distributed to the Chinese market of over 1 billion filmgoers and the African continent with a potential of 600 million viewers, under the auspices of Smart Africa initiative.
Other shortlisted scripts include Crossing The Tsavo  by ken Nderitu, Dust in My eyes by Benjamin odiwuor, Jamboree at Kayabombo by Stephen Muthini, Myazi by David Ngure, Secret of Iten by Peter Mbugua, Wango’s Bangle by John Muiruri, An African Tale by Shirleen Wangari, Goats, Guns and Grace by Shalom Ndiku, Poacher by Stephen Gachomba, Ndondi by Cyrus Kilavi and Overkill by Johnson Mwangi.
He noted that Kenya has the best location spaces for filming and that the government was committed to promoting the country as the biggest filming destination.
“The country has played host to over 80 international films including Out of Africa, King Solomon’s Mine, Born Free, Rise and Fall of Idi Amin, The Wilby Conspiracy, Master of the Game, The Colour Purple, Kitchen Toto, The Lion King animation, where they recreated scenes from Pride Rock, in Nanyuki, among others.
During the Kalasha International Film Markets, the government offered Sh2 million grants for those who would pitch best ideas for film making.