“My Kenya My Story” Mobile Phone Film Competition 2023 (6th Edition).
By Rosemary Were
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on Friday 9th June 2023 joined the Kenya Film Commission at a gala event of the 6th Edition of "My Kenya My Story" Mobile Phone Film Competition to honor high-achieving local film makers (youth). This year’s theme was Peace, Tolerance and Conflict Resolution, resonating with the Commission’s mandate.
The main goal of the annual competition is to power the growth of local film industry countrywide with the affordability of a smart phone over “high-end equipment” and widen the scope of film making. The competition focuses on short Kenyan films shot exclusively using mobile phones, focusing on application of affordable technology in telling stories.
The awards gala which was held in Nairobi at the Anga Cinema, 20th Century Plaza, brought together various stakeholders in the film industry including the Secretary State Department of Youth Affairs Mr. Raymond Ochieng', CEO Kenya Film Commission Mr. Timothy Owase, Mombasa County CEC Public Service Administration and a veteran pioneer of the film industry in Kenya, Mr. Kenneth Ambani, Award Winning TV Producer Ledama Sempele who Chaired the jury amongst other guests.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Raymond Ochieng termed the competition as a noble, commendable and timely initiative that has helped widen the scope of film making, guaranteeing the safety of the talents of our young people.
Representing NCIC, Principal Corporate Communications Officer, Ms. Rosemary Were who spoke on behalf of Ag. CEO Harrison Kariuki, acknowledged the invaluable role of the film industry in enhancing the peace and cohesion agenda in Kenya, through public awareness as well as enhancing tolerance and understanding between persons of different ethnic, racial and religious groups.
The winning film, "The Epiphany” took home Ksh. 200,000. The first and second runners up bagged Ksh. 150,000 and Ksh. 100,000 respectively, while the jury mention film took home Ksh. 50,000.
My Kenya My Story Awards Gala Ceremony on 9th June 2023 in Nairobi.
The NCIC Team at the Awards Gala.
A total of 117 films entered the competition and were scrutinized by a jury that constituted of the Kenya Film Commission, National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), Kenya Film and Television Producers Association (KFTPA), Kenya Film School and Multimedia University. 13 films were nominated by the jury and were subjected to a public online voting process.
Chief Guest awarding the winning film- “The Epiphany.”