A murky, sleeting, sidewalk-slipping late winter afternoon in Chicago and over the transom, a kind invitation from The Kenya Film Commission to shoot a movie in Africa! “Kenya is a great destination for television wildlife productions. Many award winning wildlife series have been shot on location in Kenya… Hitting top US ratings,’Survivor Africa’ showcased the Kenya backdrop and is said to have been one of the most successful in the series. The Producers felt that Kenya offers perfect combination of beautiful locale, natural light, an array of wildlife and a beautiful people all set in adventurous territory. Kenya boasts a unique variation in altitude and terrain, with an exceptionally wide variety of locations. These include white sandy beaches, mountains, dense forests, arid deserts, savannah grasslands, lakes and rivers. An aerial view of the Great Rift Valley is simply breathtaking! In a nutshell, this is Africa at its splendid best… The Kenya people are always welcoming foreign film-makers. We are a friendly people; therefore filming among different cultures will run smoothly… For a feature film or drama, submit one copy of the script and the synopsis to the film licensing officer. The license is issued within 48 hours of the application. In case of a documentary; just fill out an application form that the licensing officer will give you. The license is issued on the spot. It’s that simple! … For documentaries, dramas, short features, advertisements and still photography, it will cost only Kshs. 5,000 or US $70. For full length feature films and reality TV shows, it will cost Kshs 15000 or US $210. Filming will only cost Kshs 1,000 or US $14.” Low fees, little red tape, now about that budget…

The Kenya Film Commission
The Kenyan landscape has graced the silver screen for over fifty years, from 1950’s King Solomon’s Mines to the 2005 box-office hit The Constant Gardener. The lush Ngong Highlands, seen in the Oscar-winning Out of Africa (1985) to the arid Shaba reserves outwitted and outlasted in Survivor 3: Africa showcase Kenya’s versatile landscapes that offer a great scope of filming locations.
Kenya offers spectacular scenery; directors Sydney Pollack (Out of Africa), Richard Curtis (Love Actually) and Fernando Meirelles (The Constant Gardener) are just some of the award-winning filmmakers who have been more than satisfied with their Kenyan experience.
Also shot in Kenya, Stephanie Zweig’s Nirgendwo in Afrika (Nowhere in Africa) was the winner of ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ in the 2003 Academy Awards. The stunning cinematography seen in movies shot in Kenya speaks volumes on the breathtaking scenery that is unparalleled anywhere in the world.
Kenya is a great destination for television wildlife productions. Many award winning wildlife series have been shot on location in Kenya, including the popular BBC series ‘Big Cat Diary’. Hitting top US ratings,’Survivor Africa’ showcased the Kenya backdrop and is said to have been one of the most successful in the series. The Producers felt that Kenya offers perfect combination of beautiful locale, natural light, an array of wildlife and a beautiful people all set in adventurous territory.
Kenya boasts a unique variation in altitude and terrain, with an exceptionally wide variety of locations. These include white sandy beaches, mountains, dense forests, arid deserts, savannah grasslands, lakes and rivers. An aerial view of the Great Rift Valley is simply breathtaking! In a nutshell, this is Africa at its splendid best.
The Kenya Film Commission aims to make your experience a pleasant one. We offer detailed information on the stunning Kenyan location—from savannah grasslands to heritage landscapes. We are here to provide answers to your recce needs. We offer liaison services on behalf of the Government of Kenya and work as a go-between for all filmmakers. We will help smooth over all bureaucratic speed bumps.
Amongst our resources is an extensive database that will be highly useful to those looking to source from the vast array of Kenyan talent, service providers and production houses.
Kenya is rich with a vibrant ensemble of locally and internationally trained producers, directors, writers, crew and actors who have created a stir with award-winning productions at International Film Festivals.
4,500 years of migration in Kenya have evolved a unique blend of cultural diversity, ranging from the Coastal Swahili and Arabic people, to a multi-racial community of Asian and European descendants together with Highland Bantus, Lake Basin Nilotics and Desert Cushites.
The Kenya people are always welcoming foreign film-makers. We are a friendly people; therefore filming among different cultures will run smoothly.
Non-speaking roles or extras are available with over half a million foreign inhabitants residing in Kenya. A total population of only 36 million is spread over 582,646 square kilometres, thus crowd control is in check.
Private and government security agents are available to those who wish for additional security in an already secure environment.
Private airplanes and helicopters are available for charter to ease transport logistics
Licensing in Kenya is done by the DEPARTMENT OF FILM SERVICES
What do I do to get a license?
For a feature film or drama, submit one copy of the script and the synopsis to the film licensing officer. The license is issued within forty-eight hours of the application. In case of a documentary; just fill out an application form that the licensing officer will give you. The license is issued on the spot. It’s that simple!
How much will the license cost me?
For documentaries, dramas, short features, advertisements and still photography, it will cost only Kshs. 5,000 or US $ 70.
For full length feature films and reality TV shows, it will cost Kshs 15000 or US $210. Filming will only cost Kshs 1,000 or US $ 14.
Immigration
Kenya welcomes as many expatriate crew members and artists as a production house feels necessary for its successful production. They will all be issued with visitors pass are their work permits are being processed. The work permit or ‘special pass’ is available at only Kshs 2,000 or US $ 28 per person.
Importing Equipment
Though the state-of-the-art equipment is available in Kenya, the Government welcomes importation of equipment at a nominal and non-refundable import duty of only 1% or Kshs 30,000 (US $ 410) WHICHEVER IS LESS on the total quantity of the imported items per container. A list of accredited agents who will facilitate all your filming needs is available from the Kenya Film Commission at www.filmingkenya.com .
For more information, contact:
E-mail: fdp@skyweb.co.ke
Department of Film Services
Ministry of Information and Communications,
Mwembere Road, South B,
P. O. Box 74934 00200,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel: 254 20 650120/ 1/ 2, 650501,
Fax: 254 20 553003
www.filmservices.go.ke

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