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Kenya’s state corporation signs deal with Chinese Star Times to boost local film sector
A Kenyan state corporation on Wednesday signed an agreement with Chinese pay-TV company StarTimes to boost the local film sector.
Timothy Owase, CEO of state-owned Kenya Film Commission (KFC) told journalists in Nairobi that under the agreement StarTimes ON, an online mobile application will be the strategic platform where the shortlisted films for the ninth edition of Kalasha International Film and TV Awards will be uploaded for viewing and public voting from Oct. 30 to Nov. 30.
“This partnership opens a broader market for our local filmmakers to showcase their talent with the platform also ensuring that our content can traverse our borders thus exerting a great sphere of influence in the region,” Owase said.
Owase said that StarTimes ON through its Pan Africa Online Film Festival (PAOFF) presents a unique platform for purposes of growing the awareness and public views of shortlisted Kalasha awards entries.
According to the film agency, the StarTimes mobile application will be the only online voting application for the awards where entries prepared by KFC will be uploaded.
“The public will then have an opportunity to watch and vote for their favorite films on the application during the specified voting period ahead of the awards ceremony set for 30 Nov,” he added.
Hanson Wang, CEO StarTimes of Kenya said that the partnership will see the Kalasha awards, for the very first time since inception, leverage on technology during the public screening and voting for the shortlisted films.
“StarTimes Media will customize the requisite interface on StarTimes ON for the shortlisted films for Kalasha International Film and TV Awards thereby opening up the awards beyond the Kenyan boarders while making the voting process very transparent,” Wang added.
