The 2018 Kalasha International Film & TV Market will be held on the 27th to the 29th of March at the KICC, Nairobi.
The Kalasha International TV & Film Market is an initiative of the Kenya Film Commission; A 3-day trade fair showcasing companies from international and East African region offering high-level interaction for trading and sharing ideas and this year, the market will give a special focus to the animation sector and new technologies.
Alongside the trade show, other side events like conferences, workshops, coaching and a pitching competition will take place.
The Purpose of The Kalasha Film Market
On what seems a daily basis, new outlets for cinema are proliferating. As much as there’s a thrill in going to watch a 3D movie/film at the theatre, avenues and channels like Netflix and Hulu are coming up everyday and there is a HUGE need for Kenya’s film industry to go with the world’s pace. This film market is intended to see how the creators, distributors and consumers will explore these emerging avenues and how best to utilize them while maintaining the unique African appeal for their products and at the same time drawing the international players closer.
According to Kenya Film Commission Chairman Chris Foot, the Kalasha TV and Film Market was created with the purpose of bringing content creators, producers and consumers under one roof.
Instead of having one go all the way to South Africa or West Africa to sell or buy content, local producers would have a central market where all this and much more could be done.
While making the announcement, Mr. Foot said: “Kenya has a lot of talent, we have impeccable film locations, there’s a lot of cultural diversity and most of all, we have creators who are full of brilliant ideas. This year, we will have a lot of dialogue with key stakeholders which I hope will also lead to fast action.
One issue that’s really killing our film industry is the licenses and taxes that producers and directors have been subjected to. Another key issue we intend to discuss is the fee that’s tagged along with having a drone in the country. The fees is ridiculous and we intend to see the government change that.”
On Kalasha, he went on to explain: “The pitching competition will see practicing and upcoming filmmakers given a chance to pitch a concept or project to potential investors in the following categories; TV shows, TV series and Animated TV series/featured film.”
The winners from the first three categories will walk away with KES. 500,000 with the winner from the animation category winning a fully funded trip to the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market (MIFA) in France courtesy of the French Embassy.
“Winners in the TV shows and series categories will walk away with half a million Kenya shillings, with the winner in the animation category winning a fully paid trip and free participation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market (MIFA) in June 2018 in France.” He added.
The Kenya Film Commission acting CEO Timothy Owase, lauded the event’s growth that has this year attracted more exhibitors and delegates.
“In only its second year the Film & TV Market has grown exponentially, this year we have attracted double the number of exhibitors and delegates as compared to last year.”
Among the speakers lined up to speak during the conferences over the three days are Pablo Cesar from Argentina Julien Ezanno of the Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée (CNC), Alain Modot who is the cofounder of Media Consulting Group and Carole Croella a Senior of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Mr. Owase closed by urging players in the film industry to join them at the KICC, “We urge all the film makers and stake holders to come join a large number of international professionals from the Audiovisual and Film industry for a unique opportunity to boost your business through trading content, partnership opportunities, networking and more.”
Registration to the event as an exhibitor or delegate is open on www.kalashainternational.com.
