Kenya is seeking to deepen cooperation with China in its creative sector, officials said Tuesday as the Kalasha International Film and Television Market, Festival and Awards opened in Nairobi with a focus on expanding opportunities for young filmmakers and boosting the country’s cultural economy.
The three-day event, which runs under the theme “Innovating Tradition: Re-inventing Storytelling One Frame at a Time,” brings together filmmakers, producers, broadcasters and investors from across Africa and beyond to showcase productions and explore partnerships in film and television.
The festival is widely regarded as one of East Africa’s leading industry platforms for the screen sector, combining film screenings, business networking and awards recognising excellence in local and regional productions.
Kenyan officials used the opening ceremony to highlight growing engagement with Chinese media and entertainment companies as part of efforts to expand the country’s creative economy and create jobs for young people.
Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya said the government is committed to strengthening Kenya’s position as a regional hub for film and television production.
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He said sustained growth in the sector would depend on stronger policy support, investment in modern production equipment and targeted training to upgrade skills among industry professionals.
“Our dedication to advancing Kenya’s film and television industry continues to position our country as a serious player on the global creative stage,” Mvurya said, adding that Kenya’s diverse landscapes and talent pool were increasingly attracting international production companies.
The government has identified the creative economy as a key pillar in addressing youth unemployment, with film, music and digital content creation seen as high-potential sectors for job creation.
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Officials said partnerships with international players could help improve technical capacity, expand distribution channels and open up new markets for Kenyan content.
Timothy Owase, chief executive officer of the Kenya Film Commission, welcomed participation by Chinese media organisations, including Hunan TV International, describing it as a gateway for deeper collaboration.
He said upcoming initiatives such as the China-Hunan Film Week, scheduled for June in Kenya, would provide a platform for co-productions and knowledge exchange between filmmakers from both countries.
The collaboration reflects broader cultural and economic engagement between Kenya and China, which has expanded in recent years into infrastructure, technology and creative industries.
“We see this as an opportunity to build stronger partnerships in content production that resonates with audiences in both countries,” Owase said.
Karita Irungu, overseas business specialist at Hunan TV International Kenya, said the planned film week would allow filmmakers to explore new storytelling approaches and better understand cross-cultural audiences.
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He said cooperation could also help Kenyan producers access the Chinese market, one of the world’s largest consumer bases for media and entertainment content.
“During the China-Hunan Film Week, filmmakers from both sides will explore how they can integrate different forms of storytelling and reach a wider audience,” Irungu said.
Industry observers say Kenya’s creative sector has significant growth potential, particularly if supported by investment, skills development and stronger international distribution networks.
However, challenges remain, including limited funding for local productions, piracy concerns and gaps in technical infrastructure.
Despite these constraints, the government and industry stakeholders say international partnerships could help accelerate growth and position Kenya as a competitive player in the global creative economy.
The Kalasha festival is expected to conclude with awards recognising outstanding achievements in film, television and digital content production, highlighting the sector’s growing role in Kenya’s cultural and economic landscape.
