By Joena Muriithi
Kenya has produced and been a location for film since the 1950s and by 2016, the Kenya Film Classification Board estimated the local film industry to be worth over 7 billion Kenyan shillings.
The country mostly produces films relating to the conditions of the people and mainly highlights poverty and that is why our film content revolves around culture, societal values, law and the religious beliefs we subscribe to.
Therefore it is no surprise that media content that fails to align with our African culture is treated with hostility and restricted form showing within the country.
The Kenya Film Classification Board has banned quite a number of movies with the highest falling under gay-themed films. Others are banned for containing excessive violence.
These same films however are gaining global recognition and are showing on the big screens with a good number receiving international awards.
The cast mostly comprises of youths, who have also been nominated for awards and gained support from film giants such as Hollywood.
This goes to show that the Board should refrain from banning Kenyan produced films and instead give them the support they need. This can be through funding or an age appropriate audience.
Rather than restricting viewership, the Kenya Film Classification Board should censor the movies and advise on parental control.
The film industries as well as young performers have a lot to gain from producing this new genre of film because the truth is, adults have the right to choose what they want to consume.
It would encourage young talent to see our own productions receiving local support and not being shunned over some norms.
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