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KFC–GIZ incubation programme backs women’s leadership in film
The Kenya Film Commission (KFC), in partnership with GIZ, has introduced the Women-in-Film Incubation Programme, a Kenyan-German initiative designed to expand opportunities for women across creative, technical and entrepreneurial roles in the country’s film industry. Although the sector employs an estimated one hundred thirty thousand people, only thirty to forty percent are women, with limited representation in leadership.
The inaugural cohort of ten participants was selected through a nationwide application process, reflecting the geographic and creative diversity of Kenya’s film community. The two-week residency focuses on developing sustainable creative enterprises, using Creative and Cultural Industries frameworks to demonstrate how film can operate as both artistic practice and commercial enterprise.
Funding awarded to five participants
Five participants whose ventures showed the strongest commercial potential received EUR 5,000 each after a pitching session before industry judges. The funding supports production capacity, content development, business systems and market readiness. The programme forms part of the KFC Film Empowerment Programme and is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The 2025 Women in Film Award recipients are:
Grace Murema – Grycelle Studio: SFX makeup artist contributing to character creation across film and theatre.
Faith Njeri Heho – The Makeup Tower: Entrepreneur offering professional makeup training that supports women’s income generation.
Louiza Wanjiku Ndung’u – NBOFF: Curator and founder of the Nairobi Film Festival, bringing cultural cinema to varied audiences.
Wanjira Maina – IConnectKenya Initiative: Leader of a women-run organisation supporting refugees, youth and women in Turkana through storytelling, training and digital innovation.
Tracy Annette Sandere – Rebella Afrique Media: Storyteller highlighting African Blues narratives through film and digital media.
The five awardees will also take part in training on grant administration and management for long-term enterprise sustainability.
Programme addresses gender gaps in the sector
Timothy Owase, CEO, Kenya Film Commission: "This programme addresses the persistent gender gaps in our industry. By combining practical training, mentorship, and enterprise support, we are creating opportunities for women to build competitive and sustainable film businesses."
Kenya’s economic data illustrates the broader opportunity. The film industry contributes an estimated KSh 20 billion annually, supporting more than ten thousand jobs. The latest FISA report notes that film and broadcasting represented zero point four percent of GDP between 2016 and 2022, indicating room for growth and increased competitiveness.
Building enterprise skills and long-term resilience
During the residency, participants gained skills in strategy, finance, legal compliance, HR, people management and digital marketing. Mental wellness, a core pillar of the Women in Entrepreneurship Hub, was integrated to support resilience in navigating the pressures of creative business ownership.
The cohort now enters a three-month mentorship and shadowing phase with experts in law, finance, HR, digital skills and strategy. Modules include business modelling, access to finance, pitch development and investor readiness. Bi-weekly coaching will help each entrepreneur refine her business model, analyse market opportunities and strengthen enterprise systems ahead of scale.
The Women-in-Film Entrepreneurs Incubation Programme strengthens the Kenya Film Commission’s drive to build a competitive and inclusive film ecosystem by increasing opportunities for women creators and founders.
Owase reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment: "Kenya’s film sector holds immense untapped potential — not only as a driver of jobs and investment, but as a powerful engine for national identity and global influence. By investing in women entrepreneurs, we are widening the creative and economic space for Kenyan stories to thrive. This programme is a step toward a more inclusive industry, and a stronger future for our creative economy."
