Kenya’s Film Board Orders YouTubers To Obtain Licenses in 14 Days
The Kenya Films and Classification Board (KFCB) has notified a number of local content providers and podcasters about licensing difficulties.
In a letter addressed to their private emails, the board ordered that they comply with the Films and Stage Plays Act, among other rules, including getting licenses within 14 days and submitting their works for classification prior to airing.
“We issue filming licences to local and foreign film-makers within Kenyan in line with the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222, Laws of Kenya,” KFCB said in part.
The categorization board required content creators to apply for licenses before planning, scripting, filming, and posting their work online.
The demand letters further noted that applicants for the permits must provide a Certificate of Registration Certificate Incorporation for Company, KRA PIN Certificate, Professional Certificate in audio-visual media production/filmmaking, and a list of equipment (for those who own equipment only).
Paskal Opiyo, the board’s interim CEO, sent letters to Timothy Kimani alias Njugush, Jacky Vike alias Awinja, Steve Thompson Maghana, also known as Oga Obinna, Makarios Ouma of the Mwafreeka podcast, Terence Creative, and Abel Mutua, among others.
In a letter to Abel Mutua obtained by AfricasNow, KFCB accused the creative of repeatedly uploading audio-visual footage to the public without obtaining the necessary filming permissions.
How to Get a KFCB Filming Licence.
It explained that both new certificate applicants and renewals will incur the same fee of Ksh 12,000.
According to the standards, filming licenses for TV series and full-length feature films will be processed within 48 hours of receiving an application.
“Likewise, we process permits for short productions within 10-25 minutes,” the board said.
A license for documentaries, TV commercials/advertisements, music videos, corporate videos, infomercials, travelogues, short films, testimonials, and webisodes costs Ksh 5,000.
The applicant will pay Ksh 15,000 for a full-length feature film and web series per season. Filming fees per day will be Ksh 1,000.
Before issuing a license, the board must assess your synopsis, screenplay, treatment, script outline, running order or storyboard, and shooting schedule.
“Please note that a filming licence is issued for the production of a specific project, for the specific period as indicated in the shooting schedule,” the board said.
The board announced that the licence would expire on the specified dates. However, if one requires more filming days for the license obtained, they must contact the government before the existing license expires.
Kenya’s Film Board Orders YouTubers To Obtain Licenses in 14 Days
