The Kenya National Drama and Film Festival 2025 has officially commenced in Nakuru County, running from April 7 to 18.
This year’s theme, “Liberating technology to nurture talent while inculcating value for social prosperity,” aims to explore the intersection of technology and the arts, encouraging participants to harness digital innovations in their creative expressions.
In February, the festival received a significant financial boost from Equity Bank to the tune of KSh25 million.
This contribution is designed to reward outstanding schools and trainers across various competition levels with certificates, trophies, and cash prizes.
Speaking at the signing of this partnership earlier this year, Equity Bank Kenya’s Managing Director, Moses Nyabanda, emphasised the bank’s dedication to education and talent development.
“At Equity Bank, we believe that education is the cornerstone of societal transformation. Over the years, our commitment to education has been unwavering,” he said. “We have empowered thousands of students through scholarships, mentorship, and financial inclusion.”
He further stated that this sponsorship would help nurture young talent.
“We extend our partnership further by supporting the Kenya National Drama and Film Festivals, a premier platform that nurtures creativity, talent, and self-expression,” Mr Nyabanda said.
In Kenya, and particularly for schools, the festival serves as a crucial platform for students and educators to showcase their artistic talents, fostering creativity, confidence, and leadership skills among participants.
This year’s theme underscores a powerful cultural shift, embracing digital innovation in storytelling.
With mobile filmmaking, audio-visual effects, and digital editing now part of the creative toolkit, young performers will showcase how technology can expand the boundaries of traditional performance art.
Government banks on film school to drive creative arts monetisation
Today’s opening ceremony was graced by Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof Julius Bitok, who officially opened the event and said the government would fast-track the setting up of Kenya Film School.
The Government is counting on the Kenya Film School and funding incentives to anchor the creative arts economy in the country.
Basic Education PS Julius Bitok said the establishment of the school, a Creative Fund and a marketing drive to position Kenya as a choice destination for film production will create much-needed jobs.
“The creative economy is a multibillion industry. We want to see our youth not just performing, but earning from their skills. Through the Creative Economy Support Bill and the proposed Creative Fund, we are laying the groundwork for a structured and lucrative creative sector,”
Speaking during the official opening of the annual Kenya National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru, PS Bitok said the creative economy was a viable job market that could support up to three million Kenyans.
The Creative Fund will offer financial assistance to artists and assign an economic value to their intellectual property.
The PS linked the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to the government effort to identify and nurture talent for monetization and growth of artistic talent.
The 10-day exhibition of performances will feature around 9,000 junior, secondary and college students which features an international conference alongside an art exhibition.
It will also attract guest appearances from scholars in theatre and film from several African countries.
The PS said that the Competency-Based Curriculum is progressing as planned, noting that issues regarding infrastructure and teacher capacity in Grade 9 have been effectively resolved.
He further challenged teachers to guide learners into professional creative spaces that will aid their critical competencies
