Kenya to host first ever indian film festival in nairobi
A Curtain Raiser Press Conference was held at the INDIA HOUSE, Nairobi on 7th June 2019 to officially announce the first ever Indian Film Festival in Kenya to be held in Nairobi in August 2019.
The High Commissioner of India Sh. Rahul Chhabra along with the Curator of Indian Film Festivals Worldwide (IFFW) Captain Rahul Bali, CEO Kenya Film Commission Mr. Timothy Owase & Chairman Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) Mr.Anthony Murimi gave an insight into this festival. The Press Conference also saw the presence of renowned Kenyan Actors Charles Bukeko A.K.A Papa Shirandula and Ainnea Ojiambo.
The INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL KENYA is dedicated to Indian Cinema and shall be showcasing path breaking films from the Indian Film Industry, curated by Captain Rahul Bali and proudly organised by Indian Film Festival Worldwide (IFFW) under the patronage of The High Commission of India in Kenya in association with Kenya Film Commission, KAMP & Westgate Cinemas, Nairobi.
The INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL KENYA is an endeavor to boost trade, commerce and tourism between India and Kenya as well as to promote the art and culture between the two countries via cinema featuring some of the finest Indian movies.
Speaking at the occasion, H. E. The High Commissioner of India Shri Rahul Chhabra said, "Its the first time ever that an Indian Film Festival is being organised in Kenya and I am sure that it will act as a bridge between the Indian & Kenyan film industries. The festival is devoted to a greater appreciation of cinema in particular, art and culture in general, by showcasing Indian films for Kenyan audiences and opening new avenues of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. I am very hopeful that initiatives like this will go a long way in strengthening the relationship between both the countries"
Indian Film Festival Kenya shall showcase 6 spectacular films in 3 different languages subtitled in English including a Swahili film made by an award winning Indian Film maker Sippy Chadha. The festival shall also feature a rich mix of programs designed to build and support the growing interest of the Indian film industry in Kenya.
The Indian Film Festival Kenya shall witness the attendance of Ace Indian Actor & Producer Arjun Rampal, Award Winning Filmmakers Rahul Mittra, Imtiaz Ali, Umesh Shukla, Mikhil Musale and talented Gujrati Singer Aishwarya Majmudar among others representing the Indian Film Industry. The festival shall also see the participation of popular actors and famous film personalities of the Kenyan Film Industry.
The Curator of the festival, Captain Rahul Bali said, " Indian cinema is known for its vibrancy and colour that depicts great virtues like love, bonding and various human emotions on a larger than life canvas through songs, dance and music. The iconic brand of Indian cinema that aims at spreading sheer happiness will be on display during this festival and the audience in Kenya will have an opportunity to see some great works of creative brilliance by master Indian film makers. We shall also establish a India Bazaar at the state of the art Westgate Shopping Mall for the whole week celebrating the Indian Independence Day in addition to a number of interactive & entertaining events that have been planned during this festival. "
The grand Red Carpet opening of the INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL KENYA will take place in Nairobi on the 10th August at WESTGATE CINEMAS amidst a lot of celebratory fervour and huge number of VIP’s attending the extravaganza.
The CEO Kenya Film Commission Mr. Timothy Owase said, " It’s very heartening to know that the first ever Indian Film Festival is being organised in Kenya and we are extremely happy to extend our full support to this brilliant initiative as it is sure to promote Kenya amongst the Indian Film Makers. Infact we had been looking for an opportunity to reach out to the Indian Film Makers from a long time and this festival comes as a very welcome thing at the right time. We are very happy to partner with this festival and we will do everything possible to make it a great success "
The festival shall be organised at the Westgate Shopping Mall & Cinemas in Nairobi from 10th - 15th August 2019.