#WeWatchKenyan initiative Launched at iHub Nairobi
Nairobi, 3rd August 2022: An initiative dubbed #WeWatchKenyan, aimed at promoting local Film and Content, as well as building a Community of Kenyan Creatives who watch Kenyan Content, has been launched at iHub Nairobi, during the debut of the monthly MyMovies.AfricaTM Watch Party.
During the launch, Kenya Film Commission reiterated its commitment to growing the Screen-going culture in the Country, by deliberately putting in place programmes such as the Drive-in Cinema, Reel County Film Festival and the School Outreach Programme.
Officiating the Launch was the Film Development Officer of Kenya Film Commission – Mr. John Kyalo, who read a Speech from their Chief Executive Officer – Mr. Timothy Owase, who said “The Kenyan Film Industry has indeed come of age. This is a significant milestone for the Creative Industry in the country. As a Commission, it is our overriding goal to create an enabling environment, where Kenyan Filmmakers have a supportive infrastructure in place to support Production and Distribution, and also create Platforms where this Content can be consumed”.
Attracting a Full-house of nearly 100 Fans – many from the Creative Industry, all agreed that the debut of the MyMovies.AfricaTM
Watch Party was a success – where they enjoyed a Film, engaged the Cast & Crew and snacked on Milya’s Popcorn, all washed down with Kenyan Originals, served by BeeTeez Bar!
“This was a very entertaining, engaging and informative evening”, said veteran Actor – Chris Kamau, who stars in Country Queen. “I look forward to many, many more in the future!’
“#WeWatchKenyan is so important!”, said Parroty Vunulu – a Gengetone Artist from WANATI. “If we don’t support our Own, who will? I also like that Why U Hate features Matatu Culture and includes local Music from Mbogi Genje. I look forward to seeing more local Movies, featuring local Music.”
The launch was also attended by top Filmmakers, including famed Writer, Producer & Actor – Naomi Kamau, of Makutano Junction, Mother-in-Law, Tahidi High, Machachari, Shamba Shape-up and many more. Environmental Filmmaker – Pauline Kyalo, Doris Kathia – Producer & Owner of Shidot Productions and Ben Marie Akatsa – Actor in Kina and Maria, also graced the Event.
Supported by Kenya Film Commission, #WeWatchKenyan is an initiative by Kenya-based Startup – YAKWETUTM Online Limited, which is running their MyMovies.AfricaTM Watch Parties at iHub Nairobi, in Partnership with Africa Creative Industry Enabler – Creative Economy Practice at CcHub, monthly until December 2022.
“We’re proud to mobilize the #WeWatchKenyan movement”, said Ms. Trushna Buddhdev-Patel, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of YAKWETUTM, “As it also provides a Platform for Creatives to constructively Critique and Promote each other’s Works”.
“We are so happy that MyMovies.AfricaTM is bringing back the Screening culture”, said Kariuki Kimara, one of the Attendees. “And not only did we get to Watch a great Movie – like Why U Hate, but we also got to interacted with the Stars we saw on Screen in person! This was such a special night. I am definitely Attending the next Watch Parties.”
“I certainly enjoyed the Film, and the nostalgic feeling of watching Movies with Friends”, said Brian Bett – Activations & Events Manager at African Originals. “We’re so proud to be part of such an original Event, that promotes such excellent Content from Africa.”
Tickets are already on Sale for the 2nd MyMovies.AfricaTM Watch Party at iHub Nairobi, on Wednesday 31st August 2022, featuring the 10th Anniversary of Nairobi Half Life, here: https://www.mymovies.africa/screening
About Kenya Film Commission (KFC)
The Kenya Film Commission was established vide Legal Notice No. 10 of 2005 as a State Agency. In line with the Parastatal Reform Process, a new legal notice No. 147 capturing new and expanded functions of the Commission was signed in July 2015. The Commission is a state corporation under the Ministry of ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs.
Vision: Kenya, is a global hub for Film Production.
Mission: To develop a vibrant and sustainable local film industry and market Kenya as a preferred filming
destination for wealth and job creation.
More information on: https://kenyafilmcommission.go.ke/
About Creative Economy Practice (CEP) at CcHUB
Creative Economy Practice’s mission is to enhance job and wealth creation, as well as opportunities for creative expression, for Africans (particularly women and youth), through the African Creative Economy.
The main objective is to stimulate more adoption of innovation and technology, in the African Creative Economy, in order to catalyse further growth in the Sector and capture maximum value for African creatives and other stakeholders.
In 2020, Nigeria’s CcHUB acquired Kenya’s iHub, this uniting Africa’s flagship Tech Spaces to become Africa’s Mega-Incubator.
CEP is currently in Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western Africa.
More information here: https://www.cchubcreativeeconomy.africa
About MyMovies.AfricaTM, by YAKWETUTM Online Limited
Meaning both “Of Us” and “For Us” in Kiswahili (the most popular African language), YAKWETUTM is an Online Home Entertainment & Edutainment System – of Africa, for Africa.
Using our proprietary Kenyan-made Applications, YAKWETUTM is an online Retailer of Digital Content, from Africa to Africa and for Africa – through a Range of thoughtfully Curated branded Services, that supply Consumers with securely Encrypted original Titles, that fairly Pays the Creators, unlike Pirated alternatives.
Released on 26th September 2019, our Poof-of-Concept is MyMovies.AfricaTM, as a Mobile-first Digital Cinema Extension, offers securely Encrypted original Movies from Africa (i.e. New Releases, Classics, Features, Shorts, Animations, Documentaries, etc) on Smart Devices, including Phones, Tablets, Laptops, Smart TVs and Set Top Boxes, via the Internet, across Africa and to her Diaspora in 195 Countries & Territories.
Its core Products are a Premium Video On Demand – PVOD (#RentFor2Days) for New Releases, Transactional Video On Demand– TVOD (#RentFor7Days), Electronic Sell Through – EST (#OwnForLife) purchase and Watch Parties via Zoom, all Accessed here: https://www.mymovies.africa,
More information here: https://www.yakwetu.africa
About Dreamhouse Entertainment
An Indie, multi-media production company based in Nairobi, aiming to tell stories that are unique and speak to the state of affairs in the life of the everyday Kenyan, in a memorable and visually innovative style.
The company is founded by ‘Wanju Kase’, a film writing and directing duo.
More information here: https://dreamhouse.co.ke/
Produced by Dreamhouse Entertainment, Why U Hate is about Kwami (Bernard Irungu), who after years of patiently Working in the City and Saving money, so that he could one day go Back to his rural Home; one day Makes for Upcountry with Nothing except a Bounty on his Head, and a Trail of Murder behind him. Does it include his Love Interest – Jasmira (Ellah Maina)?
You can #RentFor7Days or #OwnForLife, in all 195 Countries worldwide, here:
https://www.mymovies.africa/view/470fbb18d66c62e5
