Filmmakers given 3 months grace period to regularise monetisation of there work

The Kenya Film Classification Board has opened a three-month compliance window for filmmakers to regularise unlicensed productions, warning that strict enforcement will follow once the deadline lapses.

The regulator granted industry players until June 4, 2026, to secure licensing and classification approvals for films produced from 2018 onwards, seeking to bring non-compliant works into the formal legal framework.

In a public notice, the Board said filmmakers, distributors, broadcasters and exhibitors are required to submit films and related promotional materials that have not undergone statutory approval.

According to KFCB, non-adherence to these provisions has left many producers unable to commercially exploit their projects or showcase them at local and international festivals, effectively shutting them out of legitimate revenue streams.

“A significant number of filmmakers have been unable to commercially exploit their films due to non-compliance with statutory requirements,” the Board said in the notice.

“This grace period is intended to allow them to regularise their productions and lawfully monetise their work.”

The board reminded stakeholders that under the Films and Stage Plays Act, filming activities must be licensed before production begins.

Completed works, including trailers, posters and other promotional content must also be examined and assigned age classifications before distribution, broadcast or public exhibition.

The regulator clarified that the window applies specifically to productions created from 2018 to date that may have bypassed licensing or classification procedures.

It described the measure as an opportunity for affected parties to correct past omissions and align their content with existing legal standards without immediate punitive consequences.

KFCB emphasised that oversight of film and audiovisual material is intended to ensure content aligns with Kenya’s cultural values and national principles while safeguarding audiences, particularly children and other vulnerable groups, from exposure to inappropriate material.

“Regulation is geared towards safeguarding consumers while supporting a responsible and sustainable creative industry,” the Board stated, adding that adherence to the law ultimately benefits both creators and the wider public.

However, the Board cautioned that once the three-month period expires, any production that has not been duly licensed and classified will be barred from distribution, broadcast or exhibition in any format, including television, cinemas, digital platforms and public screenings.

“Upon expiry of this notice, any film that will not have been duly licensed and classified shall not be exhibited to the public,” the Board said, warning that violations will be addressed in accordance with the law.

The directive underscores renewed regulatory focus on compliance within Kenya’s expanding film and digital content sector, where increased production and online distribution have outpaced formal approval processes in recent years.

By creating a defined pathway to compliance, the Board signalled its intention to support lawful monetisation while reinforcing its statutory mandate.

Filmmakers who act within the stipulated timeframe stand to unlock stalled projects, access broader distribution channels and participate more competitively in festival circuits.

KFCB reaffirmed its commitment to efficient service delivery and urged stakeholders to take advantage of the window, noting that compliance remains both a legal obligation and a gateway to sustainable growth within the creative economy.