Kenya's Filmmakers Must Embrace Entrepreneurship: Thinking Like Founders

Nairobi — Africa's film industry has never pulsed with more life than it does today. Cinema screens are multiplying, streaming platforms are expanding their libraries, and global audiences are hungry for diverse stories that reflect the richness of our continent. The world is watching Africa, waiting for its stories to shine. But beneath this creative energy lies a powerful truth: talent alone is no longer enough. To thrive in this new era, filmmakers must step into a bigger identity. They must think not only as artists, but as founders who understand that storytelling is both craft and enterprise. The creative sector already contributes over $4.2 billion to Africa's GDP. Yet experts believe this figure could triple if filmmakers embraced stronger business models, financing strategies, and distribution networks. Sub-Saharan Africa's entertainment and media market is projected to grow at nearly 9% annually, one of the fastest rates in the world. This is not just growth; it is a call to action. It is a reminder that opportunity belongs to those who are ready to treat filmmaking as both art and business. Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn At the heart of this shift is a simple realisation: every film begins as an idea, but it must eventually become a product. And like any product, it needs a clear path to revenue. Filmmakers who understand monetisation from the start can shape their projects with intention, deciding whether a story belongs on streaming platforms, the festival circuit, short-form digital, television, or cinema. These choices ripple outward, influencing budgets, casting, marketing, and ultimately, impact. The monetisation landscape is expanding faster than ever. African filmmakers can now earn from digital streaming, licensing, brand partnerships, international co-productions, film grants, YouTube revenue, and mobile-first platforms. But to unlock these opportunities, they must think like founders, tracking budgets, planning revenue, and positioning their work strategically. According to UNESCO, less than 10% of African films secure international distribution, not because of quality, but because of weak business structures. The solution is not more talent; it is more strategy. Another cornerstone of creative entrepreneurship is intellectual property. In a continent where piracy and informal distribution have long plagued the industry, "owning your story" is more than a slogan; it is survival. IP is the filmmaker's most valuable asset. It determines long-term revenue through syndication, international sales, and adaptation rights. Yet too many filmmakers sign away their rights too early, trading long-term growth for short-term payoffs. Founders think differently. They negotiate from a place of value, protect their rights fiercely, and build futures rather than one-off projects. Pitching, too, becomes a superpower when filmmakers embrace entrepreneurship. A strong pitch is not just about telling a story; it is about proving feasibility. Investors want clarity on audience, budget, distribution, and market potential. A filmmaker who can articulate these elements with confidence signals professionalism, readiness, and respect. They show that they are not just dreamers, but builders. Funding models are evolving as well. Beyond traditional grants and broadcaster commissions, filmmakers now have access to co-production treaties, crowdfunding, impact investment, accelerators, and even private equity funds exploring creative ventures. But these opportunities reward discipline. Like founders, filmmakers must maintain transparent accounting, financial roadmaps, and clear strategies that show how funds will translate into production output and returns. Training institutions are rising to meet this moment. They are no longer teaching only technical skills; they are embedding entrepreneurship into their curricula. Students learn how to build production companies, negotiate contracts, design sustainable business models, and pitch to investors. They are exposed early to the realities of budgeting, market needs, and audience behaviour. They are being trained not just as directors or cinematographers, but as creative CEOs. This new generation understands that a film crew operates like a startup team with a defined role, deadlines to meet, and a final product that must resonate with a target market. They are learning that storytelling is not only art, but also commerce, culture, and community. The future of Africa's film industry will be shaped by those who can blend the two. As global demand for African stories continues to rise, the continent needs filmmaker-founders: visionary creators who design business plans, pitch confidently, protect their rights, and build sustainable enterprises around their creativity. And when that happens, Africa's film industry will not just be vibrant, it will be unstoppable.