STORY: China-Kenya film festival launched amid call to strengthen cultural ties
DATELINE: Aug. 16, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:59
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: CULTURE
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of the film festival
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): TIMOTHY OWASE, Chief executive officer of the Kenya Film Commission
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ABABU NAMWAMBA, Kenya's cabinet secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English) PAULA KAHUMBU, Kenyan documentary producer
5. various of the film festival
 
STORYLINE:
 
The China-Kenya film festival was launched Monday night in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, with senior officials renewing calls for enhanced Sino-Kenyan cultural ties.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): TIMOTHY OWASE, Chief executive officer of the Kenya Film Commission
"This morning we had very fruitful discussions between the Kenyan film practitioners and the Chinese film practitioners where we agreed on a raft of activities that we will do together, including exchange programs, key marketing opportunities, and also an opportunity for us to access the large Chinese market. We would like to have Kenyan films watched by the Chinese as Kenyan audiences watch Chinese films."
 
Ababu Namwamba, Kenya's cabinet secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, said during the event, China and Kenya signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the film industry, marking a significant milestone in cultural diplomacy between the two nations.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ABABU NAMWAMBA, Kenya's cabinet secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts
"Some of the areas that we look forward to under this MoU are exchange programs between the Kenyan film industry and the Chinese film industry. We also want to see co-production arrangements between artists from the two countries. Generally, we hope that this can create a better understanding between Kenya, Africa and China."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English) PAULA KAHUMBU, Kenyan documentary producer
"We've just launched a new collaboration between China and Kenya which is a great opportunity for the two countries to collaborate on the production of films, on the distribution of films, and also on capacity building. I think we each have a lot to share with each other."

Several Chinese movies are slated for screening during the festival, with the blockbuster "One and Only" screened Monday evening.
   
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)