By Magdalene Wanja - Reporter
Kenya, 8 December 2025 - The film industry stands as one of the most profitable creative sectors globally, and in Kenya, it holds vast untapped potential, particularly for women.
In response to this opportunity, the Kenya Film Commission (KFC), in partnership with the German development agency GIZ, has launched the Women-in-Film Incubation Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at advancing gender equity in the country’s creative economy.
This Kenya-German collaboration is designed to elevate women’s participation and leadership across creative, technical, and entrepreneurial roles in a sector that employs approximately 130,000 people.
Despite this scale, women make up only 30 to 40% of the workforce, with even fewer represented in decision-making positions.
The programme’s inaugural cohort features ten women selected through a competitive, nationwide application process.
Representing diverse counties and creative disciplines, these participants embody the breadth and richness of Kenya’s film landscape.
Over a two-week residency, they engaged in intensive training to strengthen their enterprises and position their work within the broader Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) framework, recognising film not only as a medium of artistic expression but also as a commercially viable sector with real market opportunities.
A highlight of the programme was the awarding of €5,000 grants to five outstanding women-led film enterprises in the past week.
These awards, which are part of KFC’s broader Film Empowerment Programme and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, were granted following a rigorous pitching session before a panel of industry judges.
The selected enterprises demonstrated exceptional potential for growth, innovation, and impact.
The 2025 Women in Film Award recipients are:
- Grace Murema – Grycelle Studio: A seasoned SFX makeup artist with deep roots in theatre and film, Grace is renowned for her transformative character work in screen storytelling.
- Faith Njeri Heho – The Makeup Tower: A beautypreneur committed to uplifting women through professional makeup training and income-generating opportunities.
- Louiza Wanjiku Ndung’u – NBOFF: Founder and curator of the Nairobi Film Festival, Louiza delivers high-quality cultural cinema experiences to diverse audiences.
- Wanjira Maina – IConnect Kenya Initiative: Leader of a women-led organisation empowering refugees, youth, and women in Turkana through storytelling, digital innovation, and entrepreneurial training.
- Tracy Annette Sandere – Rebella Afrique Media: A creative force bringing African Blues narratives to life through film and digital media.
Each awardee will also receive tailored training in grant administration and financial management to ensure the effective and sustainable use of their funding.
Speaking at the graduation and award ceremony, KFC CEO Timothy Owase emphasised the Commission’s commitment to inclusive sector development.
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“This programme addresses the persistent gender gaps in our industry,” he noted.
“By combining practical training, mentorship, and enterprise support, we are creating opportunities for women to build competitive and sustainable film businesses.”
Kenya’s film industry contributes an estimated KSh 20 billion (USD 130 million) annually to the national GDP and supports over 130,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Yet, according to the latest Film Industry Statistical Abstract (FISA) report, the combined film and broadcasting sector accounted for just 0.4% of GDP between 2016 and 2022—underscoring the room for growth and greater competitiveness.
Throughout the residency, participants explored core enterprise competencies such as strategic planning, financial management, legal compliance, human resources, and digital marketing.
Recognising the emotional demands of creative entrepreneurship, the programme also integrated mental wellness support, an essential pillar of the Women in Entrepreneurship Hub, equipping participants with tools for resilience and clarity.
The journey does not end with the residency. Over the next three months, participants will engage in a mentorship and shadowing phase, working closely with experts in law, finance, HR, and digital strategy.
They will also advance through modules on business modelling, access to finance, pitch development, and investor readiness.
Bi-weekly coaching sessions will offer personalised guidance to help each entrepreneur refine her business model, deepen market understanding, and strengthen operational systems in preparation for scale.
The Women-in-Film Entrepreneurs Incubation Programme reflects KFC’s broader vision of a vibrant, inclusive, and economically competitive film ecosystem.
By investing in women creators and entrepreneurs, the Commission is nurturing a new generation of Kenyan storytellers whose work will shape the nation’s cultural and economic future.
As Mr Owase concluded, “Kenya’s film sector holds immense untapped potential—not only as a driver of jobs and investment, but as a powerful engine for national identity and global influence. By investing in women entrepreneurs, we are widening the creative and economic space for Kenyan stories to thrive. This programme is a step toward a more inclusive industry, and a stronger future for our creative economy.”
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