Kenyan filmmakers who have been unable to legally screen or earn from their productions now have a fresh opportunity after the Kenya Film Classification Board announced a three-month grace period to allow them to comply with licensing and classification rules.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, the Board said the window will run from March 4 to June 4, 2026, and will apply to all films produced from 2018 onwards that have not met legal requirements.
The move is meant to help creators regularize their work so they can legally distribute, broadcast, exhibit and monetize their films.
The Board reminded filmmakers, distributors, broadcasters and exhibitors that Section 4 of the Films and Stage Plays Act requires every filmmaker to obtain a filming licence before undertaking any filming activities within the country.
It further cited Sections 13 and 14 of the Act, which require that all films, including promotional materials such as trailers and posters, be submitted to KFCB for examination and classification before they are publicly distributed or exhibited.
“The Board has noted with concern that a significant number of filmmakers have been unable to commercially exploit their work or showcase them in film festivals due to non-compliance with filming, distribution and exhibition requirements under the Act, thus denying themselves the opportunity to earn income from their films,” the notice stated.
According to the Board, failure to meet these requirements has locked out many creators from both local and international platforms, limiting their ability to generate income and grow their careers.
The three-month window is therefore intended to facilitate compliance and give filmmakers the opportunity to obtain the necessary approvals to legally distribute and monetize their works. All filmmakers with productions done from 2018 to date have been urged to submit them within this period to ensure they meet statutory requirements.
The regulator warned that once the grace period ends, tough action will follow against non-compliant content.
“any film that will not have been duly licensed and classified for age appropriateness shall not be distributed, broadcast or exhibited to the public. Contravention of the same shall be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
KFCB said it remains committed to offering efficient services to stakeholders in line with the law and its Citizens' Service Delivery Charter. Filmmakers seeking clarification or guidance have been advised to contact the Board through its official telephone numbers or email.
The initiative is seen as an effort to support the growth of the local film industry while at the same time safeguarding audiences. KFCB maintains that its role is not only to regulate the creation, broadcasting, distribution and exhibition of content, but also to ensure that films align with Kenya’s culture, moral values and national aspirations, and that children and other vulnerable groups are protected from inappropriate material.
The Kenya Film Classification Board is a state corporation under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports. It was established under the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222 of 1998 to oversee and regulate film and broadcast content in the country.
