Nairobi: Kenya’s young filmmakers, digital creators, and storytellers have marked a major milestone, graduating from the Kenya Film School (KFS) and stepping into the nation’s fast-growing creative economy. The 2022 and 2023 cohorts received certificates recognizing mastery in cinematography, editing, sound directing, documentary production, scriptwriting, and the full film development cycle.
According to Kenya News Agency, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the Kenya Film School (KFS) Grounds, Kasarani Sports Center, Nairobi, commended the graduates for their perseverance and talent, emphasizing the government’s commitment to youth as central actors in national development. Mvurya described KFS as a key pillar in Kenya’s creative ecosystem. He noted that the school, the first government-owned film talent institution in East and Central Africa and a registered TVET under the TVET Act of 2013, has produced award-winning graduates recognized at various prestigious film festivals and award ceremonies.
Mvurya also highlighted plans to upgrade KFS into a world-class campus with studios, a theater hall, digital editing suites, sound stages, lecture rooms, student accommodation, and innovation labs. He emphasized partnerships with global and local industry leaders like Canon, KBC, Netflix, Zamaradi Productions, and the Kenya Film Commission to expose students to international standards.
He urged graduates to showcase Kenya’s diversity and stressed that responsible storytelling can significantly impact national perception and economic development. Mvurya also reinforced government support through various empowerment centers and innovation hubs, aimed at enhancing technology access and mentorship for young creatives.
Principal Secretary (PS) for Youth Affairs, Fikirini Jacobs, encouraged graduates to embrace confidence and responsibility in their careers. He called on organizations to recognize the energy and potential that young people bring to the table and emphasized the importance of mentorship and collaboration with industry professionals.
Jacobs noted that the stories graduates choose to tell and the values they embed in their work will shape both their careers and Kenya’s global identity. He highlighted programs like NYOTA for accessing creative economy opportunities and urged graduates to maintain integrity and let their creativity shine.
KFS has become a hub for nurturing talent, bridging formal education and industry demands with its curriculum emphasizing practical training. Since 2016, the school has produced seven intakes consistently recognized nationally and internationally, catering to the rapidly expanding creative economy in Kenya. The graduation ceremony celebrated the achievements of the new graduates and reinforced the government’s vision of a thriving, youth-driven creative economy, contributing to national development and cultural expression.
