Film hub offers free training for content creators and musicians

 A student at Nyeri Film Hub. [PHOTO: CHEPTOEK BOYO]

Filmmakers, content creators and musicians are enjoying free training at Kenya Film Commission's film hubs at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) in Nyeri and Emkwen Vocational Training Center in Bomet County. Launched two years ago, the film hubs, allows both students and creatives in the counties to have access to the centres for free. Speaking during a media familiarisation tour, DeKUT University Vice Chancellor Prof Ndirangu Kioni says an average 100 people access the Film Hub per week, "These include students, interns, and members of staff among others. The Hub is also open to the general public under regulated/controlled terms such as acting, and capacity building workshops. The hub has produced six 2D animations, four 3D animations, three video games, 13 documentaries and short films, scripts, Illustrations and sound tracks."

Digital media city

The VC further said that the success of the hub has inspired people to join the film industry.

"With the support of various stakeholders, the film industry is expected to grow. The film hub is also training more people in film production and contributing to the social development of the county. More people have been inspired to join the film industry, exposing the talent within the county and its environs."

Kioni added that the move will support the establishment of a digital media city within the county.

"The film hub will continue to be a key player in film productions in Nyeri county and act as an incubation space for film projects. It has also put Nyeri County into a shooting destination for local and international film-makers. The hub will continue to contribute to the economy of Nyeri County by providing employment opportunities and attracting film productions to the County. The film hub has also had a positive impact on the social development of the County by providing a space for film lovers to come together and share their love for film."

Professor Kioni also said that the film hub has created employment for many people.

"So far, the hub directly employs about 20 people and it indirectly provides about 100 freelance jobs. The Film Hub has created publicity for DeKUT both locally and internationally and facilitated three major capacity-building trainings. These include: One week Capacity building training for animation and film production by the County Government of Nyeri with 50 participants. One month Animation bootcamp by the Kenya Film Commission with 20 participants. 2 weeks training on dubbing, transcription and subtitling by the Kenya Film Commission with 25 participants."

Work-study programme

The hub is currently undertaking the work-study programme which is a three-month program that provides students with an opportunity to gain practical experience in their areas of interest as they pursue their studies. The Film hub also provides a one-year internship program that provides interns with an opportunity to gain practical experience in film production, animation and game development.

The second film hub In Bomet County has also had a positive impact in the community. Bomet Governor Prof Hillary Barchok said the county is on a mission to preserve culture.

"We have trained quite a number of people who have graduated and some of them have been retained as technicians in the facility. The enrollment in the college has gone up because the image of the institution has changed. We are also in the process of documenting our culture and history."

40 applications a week

Ezra Kirui the film liaison officer in Bomet County says Emkwen Vocational Training Center receives 40 applications a week since the inception of the film hub.

"This film hub has really impacted the community around here. We have many interested applicants who want to enrol and participate in the training in this school year. Since its inception we have seen more applications. I'd say there's a huge impact."

Bomet Film Hub is equipped with video editing hardware and software, sound studio hardware and software, filming equipment and e-research material.