It is a correction long overdue for an industry that generates billions yet leaves nearly half its talent on the cutting room floor. In a decisive move to professionalize the creative economy, the Kenya Film Commission (KFC) has launched a targeted incubation programme designed to turn women-led film ventures into bankable enterprises.

Implemented in partnership with the German development agency GIZ, the Women-in-Film Incubation Programme is betting that bridging the gender gap is the key to expanding a sector already contributing an estimated KES 20 billion annually to the national economy.

While the creative economy puts food on the table for roughly 130,000 Kenyans, the distribution of that wealth remains skewed. Industry data indicates that women comprise only 30 to 40 percent of the workforce. Crucially, they are rarely the ones signing the cheques; female representation plummets in roles that influence production budgets, investment flows, and high-level business decisions.

Seed Capital for Scale

To shift this narrative, the commission has moved beyond rhetoric to direct financing. Following a rigorous competitive pitching process, five entrepreneurs have secured €5,000 (approx. KES 760,000) each. This funding is not merely for production costs but is earmarked to strengthen business systems and improve market readiness.

The inaugural cohort of winners includes:

• Grace Murema
• Faith Njeri Heho
• Louiza Wanjiku Ndung’u
• Wanjira Maina
• Tracy Annette Sandere

According to the Commission, this injection of capital aims to improve enterprise survival rates. By widening the talent pool, the KFC hopes to feed a more diverse range of content into Kenya’s growing film and digital ecosystem.

Beyond the Camera

The initiative acknowledges that technical skill does not always translate to business acumen. Consequently, the winners will undergo specialized training on grant administration and enterprise efficiency. The goal is to build structures that allow these businesses to scale sustainably rather than living project-to-project.

Timothy Owase, the KFC CEO, framed the initiative not as charity, but as hard-nosed strategy. He emphasized that the underrepresentation of women limits the sector's total economic output.

“Closing gender gaps is not just a social priority but an economic necessity,” Owase noted during the graduation ceremony. “By combining practical training, mentorship, and enterprise support, we are creating opportunities for women to build competitive and sustainable film businesses.”