NAIROBI, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The Kalasha International Film and Television Market, Festival and Awards kicked off on Tuesday in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, with officials highlighting growing cooperation with China as they renewed commitment to support the creative economy and tackle youth unemployment.
A premier gathering for key players in the local, regional, and global creative industry, the 2026 edition of the Kalasha Film Festival runs from Tuesday to Thursday under the theme "Innovating Tradition: Re-inventing Storytelling One Frame at a Time."
Kenyan officials and industry leaders highlighted growing cooperation with China as a key driver for the expansion of the country's creative sector.
Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya said the three-day film festival, which will culminate in the awarding of the best productions on Saturday, will cement Kenya's position as a hub for the performing arts.
He noted that the growth of the creative economy will depend on the enactment of forward-looking policies, strategic investment in modern equipment, and reskilling of the workforce.
"Our dedication to advancing Kenya's film and television industry continues to position our country as a serious player on the global creative stage," Mvurya said, adding that Kenya's diverse landscapes continue to attract international film producers.
Timothy Owase, chief executive officer of the Kenya Film Commission, welcomed the participation of Chinese companies such as Hunan TV International at the festival, saying it could open doors for deeper Kenya-China collaboration in the creative economy.
He also hailed the upcoming China-Hunan Film Week, scheduled to take place in Kenya in June, noting that it will help foster partnerships in content production that resonate with audiences from both countries.
Karita Irungu, overseas business specialist at Hunan TV International Kenya, said the China-Hunan Film Week in June will present an opportunity for Kenyan and Chinese filmmakers to share knowledge and best practices in producing content that appeals to cross-cultural audiences.
"During the China-Hunan Film Week, filmmakers from both sides will explore how they can integrate different forms of storytelling and reach a wider audience," Irungu said.
He added that the festival could inspire Kenyan producers to collaborate with Chinese companies, market local content in China, and foster cross-cultural understanding. ■