The 2nd Edition of the Deaf Film Kenya Festival took place at the National Theatre in Nairobi on December 5 and 6.
The two-day event was sponsored by the Kenya Film Commission as part of its initiative in promoting the inclusivity and accessibility of film products.
Day one of the event began with a panel discussion between The Deaf Artists Cultural Association of Kenya, (DACAK) the Managing Director of Signs Media Limited Luke Muleka, the deputy director of the Kenya Film School Francis Irungu, and Josephat Mulongo, a bishop from Emmanuel Church of Deaf Kenya.
On the spotlight were issues regarding the production, distribution, sponsorship and accessibility of Deaf films in Kenya.
In an aim to propagate the talent development of the Deaf community, the panelists came up with brilliant ideas on how to ensure that the Deaf community is not left behind in the film industry.
Signs Media Director called upon the Deaf community to propose their creative ideas and offered to assist them to push their content to the world.
Bishop Josephat on the other hand urged local media stations to air more of Deaf gospel content to circulate worldwide.
Kenya Film School expressed its interest and support to the Deaf community and emphasized on the need to properly budget for the distribution of deaf films because it is a vital part of the success story of any film.
The awards ceremony took place on day two chaired by Mr. Dave from DACAK.
One of the keynote speakers of the day was Signs Media Director Jared Getanda who spoke about the three products that the company offers in terms of propagating inclusion.
He mentioned Signs TV, where broadcasting is done in sign language with voice overrides to reach the Deaf as well as the hearing.
The second product is the assistALL App which allows anybody across the world to access sign language interpretation services, enhancing inclusion and breaking communication barriers.
The third product is the Uhai Festival, a programme designed to bring together Persons with disabilities through sports, performing arts, and other social activities with cash prizes, trophies, and certificates to be won.
He emphasized the importance of Signs media as a platform that can be used for communication on issues affecting PWDs adding that currently it reaches about 40 counties in Kenya.
Mr. Getanda ended his speech by welcoming everybody to the finals of the Uhai Festival at the Kenya Institute for Special Education (KISE) on the 8th and 9th of December.
At the same event, the acting CEO of the Kenya Film Classification Board, Christopher Wambua during his speech defined KFCB as a regulatory body for the film sector that ensures the growth of the film industry and the protection of consumers of film content in Kenya.
He further added that any organization that wants to produce films to be broadcasted and distributed within Kenya is required by law to acquire licenses through KFCB.
Wambua expressed his joy of seeing the Deaf community in Kenya interested in film production. He encouraged them to apply for those licenses and assured them that PWDs shall be given priority.
The winner or the film documentary feature was Samuel Murithi. The next award of the best short film went to Ivy Boke. The vest faith-based film was awarded to Reverend Josephat Mulongo while the best video comedy award was presented to Eric Khamadie.
The winner of the best video dance was Grace Kalunda and John Mwangi Macharia won the best music video.
There was an exception of winers chosen through public vote in the beauty model category and beauty fashion photographer. Jessica Marriet was crowned beauty model with a whooping 285 votes followed closely by Annick Katana with 278 votes and Rose Njoki with 264 votes.
Signs Media was well represented as Videliz Njoki, Nadine Olang and Elvis Odhiambo won best video drama, best beauty fashion photographer, and best Kenya sign language production respectively.
BY CHRISTINE OMONDI