Reel Money: History and Strides made by Kalasha

For four days, starting on the 27^th of March, local and international professionals from the Audio-Visual and Film industry are getting a unique opportunity to boost their business through trading content, partnership opportunities, networking, and culminating in the Kalasha International Film and TV awards on Saturday.

The 13th installation of the Kalasha International Film and TV Market, Festival, and Awards is currently underway at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

Often called the "Kenyan Oscars", Kalasha is an annual celebration of excellence in Kenyan filmmaking and television production. Organised by the Kenya Film Commission (KFC), Kalasha is the Swahili word for the sprouting tusks of an elephant calf. This represents the growing TV and Film industry which the Commission endeavours to nurture.

This year’s theme is “Reel Money: The Business of Film” which will be undertaken under the tagline “Where Arts meet Commerce”.

This will look at topics on insurance, film financing, co-production, investment in the film economy, film royalties, indie filmmaking, and self-sustainable business, and film as a driver for cultural export and economic growth among others.

The International Film and TV Market, Festival & awards is an initiative whose aim is to promote culture, stories, creativity and skills.

The event’s primary objective is to showcase Kenya as a major regional hub for film and TV production, post-production and distribution across all platforms and genres while reinforcing the uniqueness of Kenya as a shooting location.

Timothy Owase, CEO of the Kenya Film Commission, shed light on the event during an interview on Spice FM.

"We’ll be creating different activities for filmmakers to network, connect, trade, and engage in core production. It’s an avenue for filmmakers to do the real business of film," Owase said.

Reflecting on the progress made since the previous year, Owase noted a significant increase in young people joining the industry, with 1500 entries received for this year's awards. He highlighted the stiff competition due to high-quality productions, signaling positive growth.

The awards feature 39 categories, including 37 competitive ones covering various aspects of filmmaking, from scriptwriting to directing and sound.

The Awards represent the five original branches of Filmmaking: Directors, Actors, Writers, Producers and Technicians. However, the Academy advises on whether or not to include more categories as long as they sufficiently represent the entire film industry.

The Kenyan film industry, once a fledgling underdog, has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Kalasha was Launched in 2010 and has become a powerful catalyst for growth and recognition.

The inaugural event turned out to be one of the biggest glitzy showpieces as the industry players came dressed to kill. It was good to see, "cobblers of creative art" as John Sibi Okumu calls them get recognised after many years of hard work. Held at the Crowne Plaza in Nairobi, was a relatively simple affair.

Before Kalasha, Kenyan filmmakers lacked a dedicated platform to showcase their talent. The awards filled this void by celebrating not just finished films, but the entire filmmaking process. From directors and actors to writers, producers, and technical experts, Kalasha acknowledges the intricate web of individuals who bring Kenyan stories to life.

The ceremony itself transformed from a modest affair to a glittering red-carpet spectacle, placing Kenyan filmmakers and television stars in the national spotlight.

But the impact goes far beyond the red carpet. Kalasha serves as a potent motivator.

As the years unfolded, the Kalasha Awards mirrored the growth of the industry it represented.

This year’s ceremony boasts of a record-breaking 1500 entries drawn from 37 categories, a notable increase compared to previous years and a sign of exponential growth, with the biggest notable surge in submissions being in the animations.

Special categories like Kituo Halisi and the Lifetime Achievement Award will not undergo public voting but will be awarded based on specific criteria.

Kituo Halisi, a station supporting the creation of local content, is one of the key focuses of the event.

Another commendable growth sign is the increase in International category submissions, which speaks to Kenya’s growing presence on the global film stage.

The jury, which was made up of seasoned pros from various backgrounds in film and television, was in charge of carefully assessing and choosing the nominees. The Kenya Scriptwriters Guild (KSG), Charity Torut of the Kenya Film Commission (KFC), Elias Nabutete of the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), Naftally Muriuki of the Association of Animation Artists of Kenya (A3K), and Ledama Sempele of the Kenya Film and Television Professionals Association (KFTPA) made up the jury.

Last year, for the 12th edition, was a glitzy affair. From the black-tie dress code to the red carpet, tight security, and attendance by the who's who not only in film but governance, the big night was held at the Safari Park Hotel and graced by Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts Ababu Namwamba as well as Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

The Phil It Production team, founded by Abel Mutua and Philip Karanja (film directors) shone brightly as they took home six awards for their 2022 film Click Click Bang.

Since its inception, hundreds of big and upcoming names have been feted time and again and this time around it is even bigger and better.