Kenya - License to Make a Film/Take Commercial Still Photograph

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Procedure

Apply Online

1. Individuals intending to apply for a license to make a film or take a still commercial photograph, can do this online by visiting the Kenya Film Classification Board Website
2. Upon visiting the Kenya Film Classification Board Website homepage scroll to down to the mid of the page and click on the Online Licensing Tab to proceed to the KFCB online portal.
3. Upon entering the KFCB online portal’s homepage, the applicant needs to click on the “Create Account” tab to register with KFCB or Log into their KFCB online account using either their Username, ID number, Passport number or Business number
4. To register for a KFCB account, provide the required information and click on the “Register” Button to register for the KFCB account.
5. A prompt message will appear informing that the applicant accounts account is successfully registered. Click on the “Log in” button to enter the KFCB portal so as to make the application.
6. Upon entering the KFCB portal select the Filming License option and click on the “New Application” tab. This will open the next page to continue the application process.
7. Upon entering the next page , search and select a filming agent by clicking of the “List of all Filming Agents”. This will cause a list of all registered filming agents to be displayed, showing their name, contacts and registration validity.
   • Note: To apply for a filming license, one has to select a film agent from the registered list of filming agent.
   • If the applicant is registered as a filming agent, the applicant has to Select/Search their company and proceed with the application process.
8. Once the applicant has selected the filming agent/ company fill in the production company details and the Film information and click on the “Save Film Information” to proceed to the next step.
9. Upon entering the next page, click on the “Add Shooting Schedule” button. This will pop up a shooting schedule message prompt which the applicant has to fill with the required information. These include the Location(s) and dates of filming and click on the “Save shooting Schedule” Button to save the shooting schedule of the application. Once done click on the “Next” button to proceed to the next step.
10. Upon entering the next page, click on the “Add Film Crew and Artist” button. This will pop up a Film Crew and Artist message prompt which the applicant has to fill with the required information. These include Name, Role and Nationality of the crew member or artist and click on the “Save Film Crew and Artist” Button to save the Film Crew and Artist in the application. Once done click on the “Next” button to proceed to the next step.
11. Upon entering the next page, click on the “Add Equipment” button. This will pop up an Equipment prompt message which the applicant has to fill with the required information. These are the filming equipment information and click on the “Save Equipment” Button to save the Equipments in the application. Once done click on the “Next” button to proceed to the next step.
12. Upon entering the next page, upload the required documents and click on the “Upload Files” button. Once done click on the “Next” button to proceed to the next step.
    • Attach an Agent Authorisation Letter for the application, if the applicant is not registered as an agent ,they have to register as an agent to be successful.
    • Attach a Synopsis, Screenplay, Treatment, Script Outline, Running Order or Storyboard for Documentary, TVC/ Advertisement, Music Video, Corporate Video, Informercial, Travelogue, Testimonial etc. applications to be processed.
    • Attach a Synopsis and Screenplay for Short Film, TV Series, TV Series Episode and Full-Length Feature Film applications to be processed
13. Upon entering the next page, agree to the terms and conditions and click on the “Submit the Filming License Application” button to submit the application and to proceed to the next step.
14. The next step involves making the application payment. Upon entering the next page, which is the “Application Status” page, click on the “Generate Invoice” button. This will cause an invoice to be generated and downloaded.
15. Open the downloaded invoice and follow the payment instructions to pay for the application.
    • Partial/Installment Payments are not allowed.
    • The invoice valid within a period of 30 days from then download
16. Proceed to make the payment with the provided instructions.
17. After Payment, go back to the “Application Status” Page and click on the “Enter the Payment” button. Fill in the payment information and click on the “Submit” Button.
18. Once the payment has been made, select the payment mode, enter the enter the Transaction Ref Code/No and upload proof of payment receipt and click on the “Submit” button to send the KFCB for approval. The time-frame for approval is within two days of application.
19. Once approved, a .pdf copy of their license will be availed in their KFCB account for download by clicking on the “Generate License” button. A hard copy of the license can be picked from the KFCB office near the applicant’s location.
20. The applicant is to carry proof of identification when collecting the license.

Apply In-Person:

1. To apply for a license to make a film or take a still commercial photograph, the applicant has to contact the Kenya Film Classification Board offices to make the application.
2. Here the applicant will be given an application form by a film licensing officer to fill and submit
3. Fill the application and attach the required documents. A list of the can be found under the "Required Documents" section of this page.
4. Submit the filled in application form and required documents to the Film licensing officer and pay the required application fees. The application fees to be paid can be found under the "Fees" section of this page or use the following Link.
5. Submit the payment receipt to the film licensing officer, for review of the application.
6. The licensing officer may, in his discretion, issue or refuse to issue a filming license for which application has been made to him, or may issue it subject to the condition that a police officer of or above the rank of Inspector, or other person appointed for the purpose by the licensing officer, shall be present at the making of the film, and to such other conditions as he may think fit.
7. For documentaries, the licenses are issued within minutes of application and for feature films and dramas within two days of application.

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Required Documents

• Formal letter of application
• Application form duly completed copy to be attached
• List of foreign crew members, giving names, nationalities, and passport numbers & date of expiry of passports.
• Details of filming agent
• Script and synopsis or storyboard
• List of equipment to be imported for shooting purposes, the value of each piece of equipment, etc

Office Locations & Contacts

Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) - Head Office,
Uchumi House 15 Floor
P.O. Box 44226-00100, Nairobi,
Tel: 0711 222204/ 0777753355 /020 22 50600
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Website: contact link

KFCB Portal ; Link

Eligibility

• Any person who wants to make a film/take commercial still photograph in Kenya.

Fees

• Documentary, Short Film, TVC/ Advertisement, Music Video, Corporate Video, Infomercial, Travelogue, Testimonial, TV Series Episode etc : KES 5,000.00
• Full-Length Feature Film; TV Series per season : KES 15,000.00
• Filming fees per day : KES 1,000.00

Validity

• The license is valid up to the date of the end of the shooting schedule.

Documents to Use

• Application for a License to Make a Film or Take Commercial Still Photographs

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• For documentaries, the licenses are issued within a few minutes of application and for feature films and dramas within two days of application.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type="website">video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the "&" inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M".

Instructions

• Application for a filming licence should be made to the licensing officer in writing and accompanied by a full description of the scenes in, and the full text of the spoken parts (if any) of, the entire film which is to be made, notwithstanding that part of the film is made or to be made outside Kenya.
• Provided that the licensing officer may in his discretion in any particular case accept an application notwithstanding that it is not accompanied by such description and text if he has been given such other information as he requires for the determination of the application.
• If any title, sub-title, text, description, synopsis or other part of the film is in a language other than English, the licensing officer may require a translation thereof into English, certified to his satisfaction, or may submit then same for the examination and report of such persons as he may appoint for the purpose.

Required Information

• Name, address and fax of Production Company
• Name, address and telephone number of local agent in Kenya
• Title of film and subject material:
• Intended audience (State/country/Countries
• Shooting schedule
• Estimated total budget on film
• Estimated budget to be spent in Kenya
• Number of expatriate artists (actors, actresses, stuntmen, make up. etc.)
• Number of expatriate film crew (directors, producers, cameramen, etc.)
• Number of local artistes
• Number of local film crew
• Type of construction/improvisations on locations
• Equipment
• Raw film /video stock
• Type of accommodation
• Approximate time for depositing the final copy of the film (Preferably in a V.H.S. video cassette form)
• Special request if any
• Undertaking/Declaration

Need for the Document

• No film or commercial still photograph shall be made within Kenya for public exhibition or sale either within or outside Kenya except under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a filming licence issued by the licensing officer.

Information which might help

For a Filming License

• Attach a Synopsis and Screenplay to applications for Short Film, TV Series, TV Series Episode and Full-Length Feature Film;;
• Attach a Synopsis, Screenplay, Treatment, Script Outline, Running Order or Storyboard to applications for Documentary, TVC/ Advertisement, Music Video, Corporate Video, Infomercial, Travelogue, Docu-drama, Testimonial, Feature etc.

Import Duty

• A nominal and non-refundable import charge is levied on the total quantity of imported film equipment per consignment, payable to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA]).

Immigration

• International filmmakers intending to undertake filming activities in Kenya are required to obtain a special pass from the Department of Immigration Services.

Local Film Agents

• All expatriate filmmakers MUST be facilitated by a Local Film Agent. In this regard, a Directory of Accredited Local Film Agents, who will facilitate location scouting, transport, hotel reservation, film licenses, shipping etc. can be obtained from the Film Licensing Officer on request or download it from the following link

Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS)

• Filming in National Parks and National Reserves attracts charges from the Kenya Wildlife Services.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

• Films And Stage Plays Act Cap 222
• Fil Classification Guidelines
• Accredited Local Film Agents in Kenya

Others

• The Kenya Film Classification Board, a state corporation under the Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts is mandated by Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222 of Laws of Kenya to regulate the creation, broadcasting, possession, distribution and exhibition of films in the country with a view to promote national values and morality.

The Films and Stage Plays Act has empowered the Board to:

• Regulating the creation, broadcasting, distribution, exhibition and possession of film and broadcast content by:
  • Classifying TV and radio programmes as stipulated in the Programming Code for free-to-air Radio and TV Services in Kenya
  • Classifying all non-programme matter, namely commercials, infomercials, documentaries, programme promotions, programme listings, community service announcements and station identifications.
• Ensuring that content which depicts, contain scenes or are of the language intended for adult audience are not aired during the watershed period
  • Giving consumer advise by empowering film and broadcast content consumer with knowledge to make informed choices
• Registering and licensing film agents, local and international filmmakers, distributors and exhibitors.
• Prescribing and developing guidelines on film and broadcast content regulation in the country.