Promoting Safety and Respect

MultiChoice Talent Factory in Nairobi played host to a groundbreaking Masterclass on Intimacy Coordination and Safety on Film Sets, organized by MultiChoice in partnership with the Kenya Film Commission (KFC). The three-day event brought together key industry stakeholders, including film directors, producers, actors, the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), and MultiChoice, to address the critical issue of safe production environments in the film and television industry.

The Masterclass provided participants with foundational knowledge on intimacy coordination and its role in ensuring safety and respect when filming intimate scenes. The sessions aimed to contextualize intimacy coordination within the Kenyan film industry, focusing on developing protocols and strategies for handling sensitive content while promoting a culture of consent and accountability on set.

In addition to practical exercises and workshops, the Masterclass highlighted the pressing issue of sexual harassment on film sets. Stakeholders engaged in in-depth discussions on the challenges of sexual misconduct in the creative sector, which led to a collective commitment to combat these issues.

The need to create comprehensive policies, codes of conduct, and reporting mechanisms to protect all members of the film production environment, from cast to crew, was emphasized throughout the event.

One of the emerging issues was the limited awareness of safe working conditions on film sets and the need to align industry practices with Kenya’s legal frameworks, such as the Sexual Offences Act of 2006. Participants recognized that production companies need to update their codes of conduct for performing artists and ensure accountability measures are in place for cases of harassment.

NGEC, as a key player in promoting gender equality and addressing discrimination, emerged as a critical partner in developing an industry-wide strategy to ensure safe, respectful, and inclusive working environments. Among the Commission's action points are collaborating with KFC and production houses to create formal guidelines for engaging with intimate content, offering technical guidance on reporting protocols for sexual harassment, and facilitating regular sensitization sessions on legal standards. NGEC will also work with partners to develop structured training programs for intimacy coordinators, mental wellness interventions, and set etiquette training for production crews.

A breakfast meeting with key stakeholders during the event fostered further dialogue on collaboration across the industry to ensure safer working conditions. The discussions highlighted the importance of a joint public service announcement (PSA) campaign, raising awareness about safe production environments and the legal rights of all involved.

As the film and television industry in Kenya continues to grow, events like this Masterclass mark an important step toward fostering a culture of safety, respect, and inclusivity. With NGEC, MultiChoice, KFC, and other key players at the forefront, the future of film production in Kenya looks set to uphold the highest standards of safety and professionalism, ensuring that all creative professionals can work in environments free from harassment and discrimination.

NGEC Head of Public Communications Daniel Waitere makes a presentation to participants at the Multichoice Talent Factory