Cs Ababu signs deal in Los Angeles to bring Hollywood's invention studios to Kenya

Cabinet Secretary Hon Ababu Namwamba, EGH was in Los Angeles (LA), California to ink another groundbreaking deal with Hollywood's Invention Studios that opens the door for the rapid growth of Kenya's film industry.

The deal, signed at the Kenyan Consulate in Los Angeles by CS Ababu for the Government of Kenya and Invention Studios CEO Nicky Weinstock, is the rapid realization of a commitment made by H.E President William Ruto when he visited LA earlier this week and disclosed that the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Arts and Sports was Instituting a comprehensive Incentives Framework to strategically position Kenya as a film making destination of choice.

This deal will see the government of Kenya extend a raft of Incentives to Invention Studios for ease of filming in Kenya, including visa waivers, relaxed entry of filming equipment, and ease of access to filming locations. In return, Invention Studios will promote Kenya as a filming destination, shoot multiple movies in Kenya, and support the Talanta Hela Initiative by growing talents and promoting the protection of Kenyan creatives' intellectual property and access to royalties. The deal will see e-Talanta become a global platform for Kenyan and African creative content.

In talks attended by Kenya's Consul General in Los Angeles Ted Kwakwa and top Hollywood agent Ozi Menakaya, it was further agreed that Invention Studios would offer technical and advisory support to Kenya for the forthcoming YouthConnekt Africa Summit, scheduled for Nairobi on December 8th - 12th, 2023.

This deal is a dress rehearsal for policy and legislative measures the Ministry is developing to consolidate and unleash the full potential of the creative industry. The deal also comes just a week before the Ministry hosts a historic Film Summit in Nairobi on September 29th, as a follow-up to the first Creatives Summit of November 2022. The Summit will, among other agendas, discuss the draft Film Incentives Framework and policy and legislative proposals for the industry.

The Invention Studios deal bears immense impact, offering unprecedented outlets in global marketing of Kenya and its products, master class clinics for creatives/youth, employment opportunities during movie productions, capacity building for Kenyans in the creative sector, and upgrading of the capabilities of the Kenya film school. The ultimate goal is to elevate Kenya to the continental hub for filming commerce in Africa.

With the agreement in place, Invention Studios has agreed to commence preparations to start filming in Kenya.