By Abdi Ali
Published March 1, 2023
Australia-based Focus on Ability International Film Festival has come to Kenya.
“We are delighted to inform you that Focus on Ability International Film Festival is expanding to Kenya!” the organisers of the initiative that is fronted by NOVA Employment Limited says. “Our mission is to create awareness and inspire people with disabilities through film. We have already had great success in launching the festival in Malawi and Ethiopia and have received hundreds of submissions from these countries. In addition to the submissions, we also have a number of prizes for the winners of your nation’s film makers and the community of disability. Our headquarter of African Network is located in Ethiopia and our executive director there is Mikias Mulugeta.”
RELATED: Sexual Liberalism Gives East Africa Headache
Focus on Ability say they are ‘looking for Kenyan filmmakers to participate in this year’s festival’ and that the deadline for film entries is July 21, 2023.
RELATED: How to Turn Your Partner into a Lover and Best Friend
“This festival asks filmmakers to ‘Focus on the Ability’ of people with a disability and tell a story on film for the world to view,” the organisers say. “The 2023 Focus on Ability Short Film Festival is set to be the biggest yet, and our generous sponsors have donated over $100,000 worth of cash and prizes to encourage film makers and people with disability to tell their stories. To be a part of the festival, entrants must simply make a short film or documentary that is less than 5 minutes long, has a disability theme or has people with disability as the main actors.”
Martin Wren, the founder of the festival who also doubles up as Chief Executive Officer of NOVA Employment Limited, says he began the initiative in 2009 “with a belief in the ability of people with disability, and the goal of bringing that belief to the world through the medium of film.”
RELATED: The Real Housewives of Nairobi Breaks Streaming Record
The Focus on Ability Film Festival, the organisers say, is for people of all talent levels with many first time filmmakers taking out major prizes.
