A letter to all filmmakers; Wake up!
Gloria Nkatha
Social media strategist ||Film critic at Talk Film To Me || Impact Producer|| Films Marketing Strategist
The TALK FILM TO ME PODCAST team and I went out last week to the streets of Nairobi to ask a few simple questions to anyone who was willing to stop by in front of our camera and answer. Do you watch Kenyan Films? What is your favorite Kenyan film and where do you watch these films? The answers we got really left us with more questions.
Why Aren't Kenyans Flocking to Kenyan Films?
Kenya's film industry has existed for decades and everyday we have a film being shot or released somewhere. Yet, the question lingers: why aren't more Kenyans watching Kenyan films? Here's a dive into some of the answers we got from our interviews.
The Distribution Dilemma: This was the most common problem we deduced. Everyone asked us, but where do we watch your films? Some said " You guys premiere a film once for 2000ksh yet a big Hollywood like barbie is in cinemas for weeks at different prices from 800ksh depending on the time we are going to watch the film. Obviously we are going to watch barbie and not the Kenyan film. Even if a fantastic Kenyan film exists, where do you watch it?" Limited access to distribution channels hinders discoverability. Fewer cinema screens showcasing local productions and a lack of local streaming platforms dedicated to Kenyan content create a hurdle for audiences seeking them out.
The Quality Conundrum: Some viewers express dissatisfaction with production value. Perceptions of lower picture quality and sound compared to Hollywood films can be a barrier. After watching two bad films, nobody wants to watch a third one so they move to other countries' films.
Content Concerns: This honestly came up a lot! Storylines perceived as predictable or lacking originality can turn audiences away. Are familiar tropes like the "poor girl meets rich boy" narrative dominating Kenyan cinema? And the "it's always the same faces". Kenyan filmmakers may need to explore a wider range of themes and genres to truly captivate viewers. Turns out we have been feeding people the same thing in different plates.
The Global Goliath: International films, particularly those from Hollywood, often have a head start. Bigger budgets, established names, and extensive marketing campaigns make them a familiar and seemingly "safer" choice for moviegoers. One of the interviewee said the more she sees something the more she is gong to long to watch it. We need to do better in marketing our films. And this doesn't mean posting 3-5 times a day on our socials. Actual marketing!
A Call for Change: This doesn't have to be the end of the story. There's a growing movement to support Kenyan cinema. Increased investment in production, exploring innovative distribution methods, and promoting Kenyan films can bridge the gap. Do you remember those sinema mashinani projects? It is time to bring them back!
The Audience Factor: Kenyans themselves have a role to play. Actively seeking out Kenyan films, attending local screenings, and offering constructive criticism can foster a more vibrant film culture.
领英推荐
Kenyan cinema has the potential to be a powerful force, reflecting Kenyan experiences and captivating the world.
However, as filmmakers, we have a duty. To talk and yap and scream about our work to our audience. Nobody is coming to ask us for our films that are well hidden in our drives with passwords. We have to bring them out!
In that case do subscribe to my You tube channel!
Watch the short interview on You tube https://youtu.be/f_R9SygiS5s?si=bFfIEU8lxA4UifQp
Signing out,
Gloria Nkatha,
Social media strategist and film critic.
Ghostwriter | Literary Marketing Agency | R&D lab
3 个月The bottom line is that Kenyan productions don't tell stories that Kenyans really want to hear/see. If we can crack that, then everything will line up and we can usher a new age of filmmaking excellence
Digital marketing manager||Videographer||Video editor||Photographer||Content writer. I help creatives and business owners make engaging content.
5 个月Good research by the way. Well, I agree to the fact that the content is somehow predictable in most of the films I`ve watched. Secondly, we don`t have an originality of our films. Think of the Indian films. They use some cultural practices or let`s say, their ethnic activities that are featured in their films. What about us? What language do we use in our films?
Director at Kikwetu Productions
5 个月Hello Gloria Nkatha. This is Kikwetu productions. We are a Kenyan film producing company based in Nairobi. We would like to feature on your podcast. This is in regards to the letter that you sent to the filmmakers. We are actually doing the premiere of the first Mau Mau movie. Looking forward to hearing from you
Creative Writer, Producer and Director @ Dagoretti film center | Film and TV production
5 个月As a filmmaker i fight so hard to make sure i produce more captivating and engaging content making sure it resonates back to our Kenyan stories, thus it so interesting how you have decided to ask Kenyans which movies have they watched, this will spark a lot of conversation.
Tech-Business
5 个月I'm guessing we can do better is the word????. But we have come a long , good way. There are very very good films of late and very very new faces. I haven't had an opportunity also to watch all or most of them but the headlines are everywhere. [Trailers of most Kenyan movies tell you,me mostly, that even though you have to subscribe or pay , film is not as it was yesterday. It's better.] Maybe people [I] want most of those shows ,movies on our Local TV where everyone can access <for free ,just tuning in>. But if I was behind the producing and playing, I would prefer you or I pay so that we have better budgets and funding to make better ones. Apparently we all have a part to play.