What to expect at the 13th Kalasha Awards

13th edition of Kalasha Awards. (Courtesy)

The Kalasha International Film & TV Market, Festival, and Awards are gearing up for their 13th edition, set to honor excellence in the industry at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

Scheduled from March 27th to March 30th, 2024, the event promises a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and engage in networking opportunities.

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.

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.

Additionally, exhibitions will feature businesses offering their products and services, with conferences hosting key speakers discussing topics such as AI's impact on the industry.

In terms of promoting Kenyan content internationally, Owase highlighted Kalasha as an international platform where buyers access Kenyan content.

Owase further mentioned that the commission enables filmmakers to showcase their profiles in a creative database accessible to anyone online.

The event also caters to students with specific categories aimed at assessing the caliber of production from schools. Through film outreach programs, Owase said film clubs have been established in schools as they aim to provide equipment to foster growth through hands-on experience.

Addressing concerns about remuneration in the industry, Owase mentioned the need for strong guilds and a film federation as an umbrella to champion issues affecting practitioners.

Concerning regulations for those who want to venture into the industry in Kenya, Owase said the commission aims to establish regulations requiring filmmakers to acquire licenses and use accredited agents when telling their stories.

To participate in the Kalasha Market, viewers and listeners can register on the website for a fee of Sh1000 for three days. However, attendance at the Kalasha Awards is by invitation only, with students exempt from payment but required to sign up for participation.