Kenya moves to lure big-budget Hollywood producers

Kenya's ambassador to the US, Robinson Githae, speaking at the Four Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills. 

In Summary

• Government provides incentives to encourage filmmakers.
• President Kenyatta instructs officials to deliver "decisive" message.

By CHRIS WAMALWA
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PHILADELPHIA

The Kenya government has announced a raft of incentives and guarantees to lure big budget Hollywood moviemakers to shoot on location in Kenya.

The incentives, announced on last Tuesday at the Four Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills during a luncheon attended by top government officials, Hollywood producers and other film industry executives range from security guarantees, waiver of government-related fees and temporary importation permits and insurances.

The function, “Filming Kenya” was organised by the Kenya Film Commission, the Kenya Embassy in Washington, DC and Hollywood Boutique Public Relations Firm Ballantines PR (BPR). It was held to discuss Kenya’s viability as a filming location in Africa.

It is believed that due to concerns about incentive structures and insecurity, Hollywood has increasingly opted for South Africa as their destination of choice.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta had intended to use his planned visit to Los Angeles to attend the Milken Institute’s 2015 Global Conference to address some of these concerns and give assurances to the US film industry that Kenya is indeed the place to go to for filming,” said Robinson Githae, Kenya's ambassador to the US.

The Nation has established that Angelina Jolie is scheduled to direct a movie on Richard Leakey and conservation in Kenya. However because of security concerns and high fees related to foreign productions, her team is proposing to shoot in South Africa.

“Should this happen, it would be a major lost opportunity to tell a Kenyan story and use it to market the country to the world,” said Mr Githae.

“Recently, Dr Richard Leakey, Mr Chris Foot and Mr Hassan Wario, Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and the Arts, met with President Kenyatta to discuss this issue. Following the meeting, the President gave an executive order on several of the outstanding issues that stood in the way of creating an attractive incentive package for the film industry,” the ambassador added.

GOVERNMENT PLEDGES

Mr Githae said he, ICT CS Fred Matiang’i and Mr Foot had been instructed by President Kenyatta to deliver a “decisive” message that the government was keen to offer all its support to lure back major motion picture production to Kenya, commencing with Africa, the Richard Leakey film.

Accordingly, the government pledged to guarantee the security of the actors, crew and equipment, provide a suitable tax incentive package including relevant rebates, waiver of government-related fees including all fees relating to filming, national parks and heritage sites.

Other incentives will include a special film visa to be issued gratis for entry into the country, facilitation of temporary importation permits, a waiver of relevant taxes and fees associated with temporary importation of filming equipment and underwriting of relevant insurances.

The ambassador said the government would also facilitate the acquisition of film extras if and when required.

Briefing the Nation after the meeting, Mr Githae said filmmakers such as Ms Christine Peters and Ms Kathy Eldon showed great desire to begin filming in Kenya and urged the government to fast track the gazettement and implementation of the incentives.

“Ms Eldon is ready to commence filming in Africa. She is currently leaning toward South Africa, but she said she would be happy to discuss a set of possible options with Kenya if the incentives could be guaranteed,” said Mr Githae.

He said that as a result of the moves, discussions between the government and the production team for the Africa movie have been established and are currently ongoing.

He said the filmmakers have been requested to provide the government with their list of expectations with regard to an incentive package, which will be considered and an expedited and conclusive response provided.

“Both parties agree in principle on the need to ensure the movie is done at its natural location which is Kenya,” he said.

PR FIRM

Mr Githae said in order for Kenya to make inroads in Hollywood, the meeting suggested that the government engage the services of a qualified and well-connected Public Relations/Advocacy Representative.

“Kenya Film Commission informed the meeting that the ongoing discussions on the incentive package are likely to provide for recruitment of a representative in the US,” he added.

Hollywood representatives in the meeting included Sandra Stern, Chief Operating Officer — Lionsgate TV, Gary Goodman, Executive Vice President of TV production — Lionsgate, Vincent Maraval, film producer — Wilbunch, Roberta Hanley, actress and director, Chris Day, Head of Communications — UTA, Franco Alvarez, Manager-Production — CBS Television, Paul Steinke, Senior Vice President, Production-Finance — Disney and Richard Verrier, entertainment industry reporter, Los Angeles Times.

Others were Heidi Jo Markel of NU Image, Shamin Ehsani of Tribe Hotel and Marie Lola-Mungai, co-founder and CEO of Buni media.

The Kenyan side was represented by Mr Matiang’i, Dr Wario, Mr Githae and Members of Parliament Ndung’u Gethenji and Ken Obura.

Others were the Kenya Film Commission's chairman Chris Foot and CEO Liz Chongote as well as Ronnie Gitonga, second secretary at the Kenyan embassy.

The private sector was represented by Carol Kariuki, CEO of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, Ambassador Dennis Awori, chairman of Toyota East Africa, John Ngumi, chairman of Konza, Dr Gachao Kyuna, CEO of Transcentury Group and Sam Gichuru, CEO and founder of Nailab.