Creative director and content creator Abel Mutua has disclosed that he and his team at Philit Production have made more than Sh. 9 million from his hit film project ‘Click Click Bang’.
He said that while budgeting for the film, he estimated a total of Sh. 7 million that would go into production and market expenses. In return, Abel has made a profit of Sh. 2 million from his project.
“The returns are almost hitting Sh9 million, so it was successful. We really appreciate it because most film projects don’t give back the profit,” he said.
Adding that while most unsuccessful film producers would look for marketing abroad, he urged that it is needless if they could only budget for marketing.
“There is nothing you’ll be doing (without budgeting for marketing locally). Nairobi only is where people go to theatres to watch moves, and that is not right. We need to rectify that,” he quipped.
Mutua has urged the national government in conjunction with the county governments to set up at least one theatre in each county, as this would promote the industry a thousand fold.
“If there is a film center in all the 47 counties, they will have pushed us a thousand steps ahead. They need to make sure the infrastructure is around the country.”
Abel Mutua recalled having to set up his film in Eldoret under a tent.
“If the government could just work on that, we’d be set. And now if they ensured every county had its film center, we’d be revolutionary,” he maintained.
Abel Mutua was the biggest winner in the 12th edition of the Kalasha Awards, held at Safari Park Hotel on December 3rd.
He and his production team dominated the night, taking home a total of 11 awards. Abel Mutua took home a total of six awards while Philit Production took home five awards.
“As a company, we’ve taken home five awards, as an individual, I walk away with six,” he said.
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A discontented Mutua was unhappy after missing out on the screenwriter award.
“I was eyeing the best screenwriter award but I didn’t get it. I felt like crying but that’s okay. Next time,” he said.
After releasing his film ‘Click Click Bang’ which has become a success in Kenya, Mutua confirmed that he and his team would be producing one film project each year.
He also had a piece of advice for his fellow producers.
“Producers have this thing where they create films then call their fellow producers to come watch. It shouldn’t be like that. Sinema ni ya wananchi, tukifanya cinema tuite wananchi.”