1. You have built a career that blends filmmaking, editing, and colour. How did that combination come together and what is your background?
In 2018, after finishing high school, my mom bought me a phone and I started watching YouTube videos about photography because I liked how cool photographers looked. Even though my parents wanted me to be a doctor or an engineer, I wanted to be creative. I joined Multimedia University to study multimedia, but after my first semester, COVID hit. I started getting photography gigs, which made it hard to balance school and work. I eventually deferred school because I was earning and learning faster through real projects. I felt like the lecturers were not real filmmakers and could not teach what I wanted to learn. I focused on cinematography, editing and later colour grading. That was the start of my journey.
Festus Kiprotich, is a 23-year-old cinematographer and creative director with an eye for detail.
Photo credit: Pool
8. Collaboration is key in filmmaking. What do you look for in people you choose to work with?
Festus Kiprotich, is a 23-year-old cinematographer and creative director with an eye for detail.
Photo credit: Pool
17. Is filmmaking in Kenya currently a sustainable career path?
Not yet. It is still hard to make a living from it unless you are well-known. People are not willing to pay much for film work, so we must find creative ways to survive and tell better stories that connect with people.
18. Beyond film, what other ventures or skills help you sustain your creative lifestyle?
I am involved in real estate and digital marketing through my company. We are growing slowly, but it helps sustain my lifestyle and gives me more freedom as a creative.
19. What are some of the biggest projects you have worked on, whether in advertising or film, and what impact did they have on your career?
One of my biggest projects was for MRM, Mabati Rolling Mill. I made around sh700,000 from that project. Another big project was for Tekno, where they gave us a few months of contracts, also closing on Sh700,000 per month. I also have a client who paid a significant amount, but they have not launched the product yet, so I cannot mention the brand.
