Local filming agents and Private production companies or individuals are
requested to submit their applications through a local agent registered with the
ministry. This requirement is mandatory for all applications to make feature
films or documentaries. The Ministry regularly updates the list of registered
film agents. The following is a guide to License application to Make a Film /Take Commercial Still Photograph in Kenya
Procedure
To apply for a license, the applicant has to contact the Kenya Film Classification Board offices.
Applications should be addressed to Film Licensing Officer, Kenya Film Classification Board
The applicant has to make sure he or she has all the required documents that are required for this process to be successful and it can be found under the “Required Documents” section of this page.
Fill out an application form and pay the application fee.
Payment of appropriate fees should be made and that can be found under the “Fees” section of this page or in the Films And Stage Plays Act Subsidiary Legislation.
The licensing officer may, in his discretion, issue or refuse to issue a filming license for which application has been made to him, or may issue it subject to the condition that a police officer of or above the rank of Inspector, or other person appointed for the purpose by the licensing officer, shall be present at the making of the film, and to such other conditions as he may think fit.
For documentaries, the licenses are issued within minutes of application and for feature films and dramas within two days of application.
Required Documents
- Formal letter of application
- Application form duly completed copy to be attached
- List of foreign crew members, giving names, nationalities, and passport numbers & date of expiry of passports
- Script and synopsis or storyboard
- List of equipment to be imported for shooting purposes, the value of each piece of equipment, etc
Office Locations & Contacts
Film Licensing OfficerKenya Film Classification Board,
Uchumi House 15 Floor
P.O. Box 44226-00100, Nairobi,
Tel: 020 2250600/2241804
Mobile: 0711222204
Fax: +254 20 – 2251258
Email: info@kfcb.co.ke, licensing@kfcb.co.ke
Website: www.kfcb.co.ke
Eligibility
Any person who wants to make a film/take commercial still photograph in Kenya.
Fees
Documentaries, Dramas, Short Features Ads and Stills licenses cost: Kshs. 5,000.
Full Length Feature Films and Reality TV shows: Kshs. 15, 000.
There is also an extra Ksh. 1,000 per day for filming.
Documents to Use
Application for a License to Make a Film or Take Commercial Still Photographs
Processing Time
For documentaries, the licenses are issued within minutes of application and for feature films and dramas within two days of application.
Instructions
Every application for a filming licence should be made to the licensing officer in writing and accompanied by a full description of the scenes in, and the full text of the spoken parts (if any) of, the entire film which is to be made, notwithstanding that part of the film is made or to be made outside Kenya.
Provided that the licensing officer may in his discretion in any particular case accept an application notwithstanding that it is not accompanied by such description and text if he has been given such other information as he requires for the determination of the application.
If any title, sub-title, text, description, synopsis or other part of the film is in a language other than English, the licensing officer may require a translation thereof into English, certified to his satisfaction, or may submit then same for the examination and report of such persons as he may appoint for the purpose.
Required Information
- Name, address and fax of Production Company
- Name, address and telephone number of local agent in Kenya
- Title of film and subject material:
- Intended audience (State/country/Countries
- Shooting schedule
- Estimated total budget on film
- Estimated budget to be spent in Kenya
- Number of expatriate artists (actors, actresses, stuntmen, make up. etc.)
- Number of expatriate film crew (directors, producers, cameramen, etc.)
- Number of local artistes
- Number of local film crew
- Type of construction/improvisations on locations
- Equipment
- Raw film /video stock
- Type of accommodation
- Approximate time for depositing the final copy of the film (Preferably in a V.H.S. video cassette form)
- Special request if any
- Undertaking/Declaration
Need for the Document
No film or commercial still photograph shall be made within Kenya for public exhibition or sale either within or outside Kenya except under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a filming licence issued by the licensing officer.
Information which might help
Before granting a filming licence, the licensing officer may require the applicant to enter into a bond, with or without sureties in such sum (not exceeding such amount as is prescribed) as the licensing officer may require, to secure that the film, so far as it is made, is made in accordance with
(a) the conditions (if any) contained in the licence; and
(b) the description, text and other information supplied to the licensing officer, with any alterations and additions
External Links
Requirements and Application for Film Licence
Films And Stage Plays Act Cap 222
Others – License application to Make a Film /Take Commercial
The Kenya Film Classification Board, a state corporation under the Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts is mandated by Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222 of Laws of Kenya to regulate the creation, broadcasting, possession, distribution and exhibition of films in the country with a view to promote national values and morality.
The Films and Stage Plays Act has empowered the Board to:
- Regulating the creation, broadcasting, distribution, exhibition and possession of film and broadcast content by:
- Classifying TV and radio programmes as stipulated in the Programming Code for free-to-air Radio and TV Services in Kenya
- Classifying all non-programme matter, namely commercials, infomercials, documentaries, programme promotions, programme listings, community service announcements and station identifications.
- Ensuring that content which depicts, contain scenes or are of the language intended for adult audience are not aired during the watershed period
- Giving consumer advise by empowering film and broadcast content consumer with knowledge to make informed choices
- Registering and licensing film agents, local and international filmmakers, distributors and exhibitors.
- Prescribing and developing guidelines on film and broadcast content regulation in the country. License application to Make a Film /Take Commercial
