TAX REPRIEVE GIVES MWANGURA MOVIE ON PIRACY A LIFELINE

Budget incentives to boost the movie industry have improved chances that the story of Mr Andrew Mwangura, a Kenyan seafarer who has stunned the world by his simplicity and deep understanding of piracy will be shot on location.

Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta zero-rated VAT for taxable goods and services to film producers, measures he hopes would bring the industry in line with countries such as South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria.

"This aimed at promoting the film industry in Kenya and attract foreign film makers, so as to profile Kenya as a film making destination of choice," he said and proposed a 100 per cent investment deduction on capital expenditure incurred by a film producer on purchase of any equipment.

"The government fully recognises the pool of talents we have in this country and the need to provide appropriate incentives to this upcoming industry to create employment opportunities for the youth," he said.

Samuel Jackson's Uppity Films and H20 Motion pictures have already secured the life rights of Mr Mwangura who they described as a "fascinating character".
Mr Mwangura had feared that the movie would be shot elsewhere due to tax constraints on Kenya as a movie location.

Fears that the movie would head South like its counterpart The First Grader, which focuses on the life of the world's oldest pupil Kimani Maruge have since been somewhat allayed by the finance ministry's efforts to attract foreign film makers.

Mr Andras Hamori of H2O Motion Pictures, according to a statement released by Uppity Films, had flown to the country to negotiate the deal with Mwangura.

Return later
He was to return later to assess whether the movie can be shot in Kenya, a hitherto slim chance owing to the tax structure the country had in place.

Mr Mwangura, who runs the Seafarers Assistance Programme that has been offering humanitarian aid to seafarers shot to national and international limelight after negotiating a $3.4 million deal for the crew and cargo of a Ukrainian vessel that had been captured in 2008.

Insiders claim that 17 big budget Hollywood projects that were destined for the country headed South since Pretoria was offering better incentives.

Kenya has always been a popular film location with the shooting of Born Free based on the book by Joy Adamson's book which was entirely shot in the country.

Other big movies shot in the country include Out of Africa, which won the Academy award for Best Picture, "Mountains of the moon", and the sequel to Tomb Raider, The cradle of life, Nowhere in Africa, The Constant Gardener' among others.

Mr Mwangura, who lives an ordinary life, confirmed to Shipping News that he had agreed on certain aspects with the movie makers.

"The gentleman came to see me and we agreed in principle that I am ready for the movie as long it helps in further understanding sea life, piracy," he said in an interview.

He confirmed that Mr Hamori was due to return to assess whether the movie, that promises a sequel, should the sea piracy continue to be such a big story , can be shot in Kenya.

"They will spend some time with me and try to understand me because it is a movie about me and what I do," he said.

Big story
Mr Mwangura said apart from the location, the movie makers will also try to understand Kenyan law in relation to movie making and see whether they can get concessions compared to other countries in Africa.

Fears, however, are rife that Kenya is not ready to host Hollywood due to archaic laws on movie making compared to other African countries such as South Africa that has been receptive to such projects

Source: http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/-/539444/624152/-/rwcbhj/-/