Kenya’s film industry recently got a boost when it was invited for the first time to grace the 66th edition of the annual Cannes Film Festival in the Cannes City along the Mediterranean coast of France.
Cannes Film Festival, arguably the worlds’ most esteemed and largest film festival, is an annual festival, which offers a noble platform for filmmakers, producers, and professionals in the industry to showcase their work.
While speaking to Pulse on Wednesday, Kenya Film Commission CEO, Peter Mutie, said, “The Kenya film industry needs to get exposed globally to compete effectively and earn reasonable returns. We are operating in a globalised environment and our industry will benefit from global market if we are not left behind in promoting the industry both locally and internationally.”
Kenya filmmakers are set to benefit big time from the global exposure at the prestigious event, which started yesterday and is slated to end on May 26.
On Sunday, the festival is slated to host an exclusive interactive section for Kenya, which many believe, will help showcase Kenya’s budding film industry to the world.
Another major highlight for Kenya Film industry at the Cannes Festival will be the signing of a cooperation agreement between Kenya Film Commission and National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa. The agreement is aimed at opening closer links between the film industry in Kenya and South Africa.
Notable Kenyans in the film industry are set to grace the festival including Chris Foot and Mary Kimonye, the CEO Brand Kenya and notable local producers including Jim Shamoon, Jenny Pont, Mercy Murugi, Njeri Karago, Bob Nyanja and Njoki Muhoho.-standardmedia.co.ke
