Garissa: Young people in the country have been urged to embrace the creative arts and film industry not only as a form of entertainment but also as a way to make a living. To help the youth achieve this, the department of film services under the Ministry of Youth and Creative Economy has been training the young people on technical skills needed for film production and has so far trained 200 youths.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Department of Film services aims to empower youth groups by enhancing their knowledge, experiences, and skills while investing in their ideas, innovations, and initiatives to harness its demographic dividends by 2030. The acting Director for Film Services, Regis Ondieki, stated that the students have not only received skills in storytelling but also participated in hands-on training on handling various technical equipment used in filming.
Other technical skills taught include camera operations, sound and lighting in film, video and audio editing, costume designs, and acting. On
dieki noted gaps in the film industry, mainly due to a lack of sufficient technical personnel with skills to undertake different roles, often forcing one person to be the producer, film director, sound engineer, and actor, thus affecting the quality of the output.
Ondieki emphasized the role of film in storytelling and the importance of creative personnel in transforming written words into visuals and sound. He pointed out that by training individuals in specific technical roles, they can independently create content or contribute value as employees in the industry. Skilled technicians can also establish their own studios and employ others.
Speaking after a 4-day training session in Garissa, Ondieki highlighted the potential financial benefits of the skills acquired, especially in light of President William Ruto’s negotiations with social media companies to monetize online content for Kenyans. He expressed confidence that technical skills in performing arts, film development, and content creation would lead
to financial gains for the youth.