Nairobi's bold bid to become Africa's virtual film hub. [Courtesy]
A storm over the quality of Kenyan films erupted on social media recently, with Kenyans tearing apart productions they felt fell short of audience expectations.
Critics questioned recycled story lines and casts, a lack of versatility and what they described as weak production quality.
Some argued that Kenya has the talent but lacks the money, equipment and infrastructure needed to turn good ideas into productive productions that can compete beyond the local market.
It is a debate the industry has had before, but one that has again raised questions about what can be done to make Kenyan productions better.
Two filmmakers with experience working on productions involving some of the world’s biggest brands, broadcasters, musicians and sports personalities believe technology could be part of the answer.
Making a high-quality film is expensive. A production that requires scenes in Nairobi, Mombasa and New York can quickly see its budget swallowed by flights, accommodation, transport, equipment and large crews.
For a small production company, an independent filmmaker or even a business shooting an advert, ambition often has to be adjusted to fit the budget.