Is your shoot one closed gate away from disaster?
What happens when your crew lands in Nairobi and the film fixer in Kenya you hired stops answering? The location falls through.
The licence is not ready. The day rate keeps running. Your director starts looking at you.
Every producer has a version of that nightmare. Kenya has wonderful places to film. Busy city streets, wide open plains, coastal towns and the warm chaos of a Nairobi market.
But beautiful places need local work. Permissions, permits, people and patience.
That is what a film fixer in Kenya is for. OnGround Africa does the ground work before you arrive and stays with you on every shooting day.
We are not a big agency with a glossy reel. OnGround Africa is led by one person who answers the phone and turns up on set. For many productions, that is exactly what a film fixer in Kenya should be.
We have produced film scenes in Kibera for an international artist. We know what it takes to film in busy neighbourhoods with respect and without drama.
What does a film fixer in Kenya actually do?
A film fixer in Kenya is your local producer, guide and problem solver in one. The job is to make sure that when the camera is ready, everything else is too.
- Location scouting. Finding places that match your brief and sending photos and video.
- Permissions. Talking to owners, managers and community leaders.
- Licences. Making sure the right filming licence is in place before the shoot.
- Local crew. Finding drivers, assistants and other local hands you need.
- Transport and logistics. Vehicles, routes and timing between locations.
- Community liaison. Explaining the shoot to residents and keeping goodwill.
- Problem solving on the day. Handling the surprises that every shoot brings.
Productions we support
- Music videos for artists visiting or based abroad
- Documentaries and news features
- Corporate and brand films for companies and charities
- Adverts and promotional videos
- Short films and scenes for larger projects
- Photo shoots that need the same local support
Local crew and hands on the day
Many visiting teams travel light. They bring the director, camera and sound and need the rest locally.
We help you find drivers, runners, translators and other local support. We brief them on the plan and the standards you expect. Your film fixer in Kenya stays the single point of contact for all of them.
Small crews get the same care as large ones. A two person documentary team still needs a film fixer in Kenya who knows the streets, the people and the rules.
A good film fixer in Kenya also tells you what will not work. That honesty saves days and budget.
We would rather tell you a location is a bad idea during planning than watch your crew wait in traffic on the day.
Does a film fixer in Kenya handle the filming licence?
Yes. Filming in Kenya needs a licence from the Kenya Film Classification Board, known as KFCB. The KFCB service charter sets out the requirements, fees and timelines.
Filming licence fees and timelines from the KFCB charter
| Type of production | Licence fee | Filming fee | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feature film | KES 15,000 per film | KES 1,000 per filming day | Within two working days |
| Series for TV, web or docuseries | KES 15,000 per season | KES 1,000 per filming day | Within two working days |
| Documentary, short film, corporate, music or promotional video | KES 5,000 per film | KES 1,000 per filming day | Within one working day |
| Advertisement | KES 5,000 per film | KES 1,000 per filming day | Within one working day |
The charter lists what to submit. For a feature film or series, that includes a synopsis, a screenplay, a shooting schedule and a list of equipment. Shorter work needs a detailed synopsis, script, treatment or storyboard with the schedule and equipment list.
How we prepare your licence application
We gather your synopsis, script or treatment, schedule and equipment list early. We check that names, dates and locations match across every document.
Small mismatches cause delays. A schedule that lists a location not in the script is a common one. Your film fixer in Kenya should catch that before KFCB does.
These fees are set by KFCB and can change. Always check the latest charter. As your film fixer in Kenya, we pass government fees on at cost and share the receipts.
Do foreign productions need a local film agent?
Yes. The KFCB requirements for filming in Kenya state that all expatriate filmmakers must work with a local film agent. The same document notes that international filmmakers need special passes from the Department of Immigration Services.
The KFCB charter also covers the registration of film agents. It lists a fee of KES 12,000 annually and a timeline of one working day.
If your production needs a registered local film agent, we make sure one is in place before the shoot. You approve that cost before anything is booked.
Immigration for crew
The Kenya Film Commission filming requirements page says non Kenyans need an entry or work permit, or an exemption, before working in Kenya. This applies whether the work is paid or not.
Plan this early. Immigration paperwork is one of the steps a film fixer in Kenya cannot rush on your behalf.
Bringing camera gear into Kenya: what should you know?
Equipment is often the biggest worry for a visiting crew. The Kenya Film Commission explains the rules on its filming requirements page.
- For equipment that travels with the crew, the Commission lists a security bond of KES 30,000, paid upfront and refunded when the team and equipment leave.
- For equipment sent ahead by sea or air, a temporary import form is needed and the bond depends on the value of the equipment.
- Licensed clearing agents handle the bond for unaccompanied equipment.
- Clearing needs supporting documents, an invoice and an equipment list.
The same page notes that import duty and VAT on certain cameras and video recorders were removed in 2009. Rules can change, so we check the current position with you before you ship.
Send us your full equipment list with serial numbers as early as you can. It is needed for the licence, for clearing and for the bond. One clean list saves the same work being done three times.
A film fixer in Kenya cannot clear customs alone. We help you prepare the lists and work with a licensed clearing agent where you need one.
Can you film with drones or in national parks?
Both are possible. Both need extra approvals and both take planning.
Drones
The Kenya Film Commission says drone operators need approval from the Ministry of Defence first. Then they need approval from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
That is two steps before any drone goes up. Give yourself time and share your drone plans with your film fixer in Kenya on day one.
National parks and reserves
Filming in national parks and reserves needs a permit and fees from the Kenya Wildlife Service. The Commission points to KWS for the current tariffs.
Parks are stunning on screen. They also have rules about where vehicles can go and when. We plan the shoot around those rules so the footage and the permits both hold up.
How does working with a film fixer in Kenya work?
Here is how we usually run a project from first message to wrap.
- Send your brief. What you are filming, where, when and with how many people.
- We reply with questions. Locations, licences, crew and any special needs like drones.
- You get a written quote. Our fee and expected government charges shown separately.
- We scout. Photos and video of possible locations, with notes on light, noise and access.
- We handle permissions. Owners, managers and community leaders, plus the licence process.
- We book the local pieces. Transport, local crew and anything else agreed.
- We run the days. On set with you, solving problems before they reach the camera.
Before you arrive
- Licence application submitted and tracked
- Immigration paperwork started for every foreign crew member
- Equipment list shared and clearing planned
- Locations confirmed with written permission where needed
- Transport booked for the first days
- A shared call sheet with local contacts and timings
We share this checklist with you and tick it off as we go. When your plane lands, your film fixer in Kenya should already have the first day ready.
Plans change and that is normal. When they do, we update the checklist and tell you what the change affects.
Every step comes with updates on WhatsApp. You know what is confirmed and what is still moving.
On shooting days we start before the crew and finish after them. We check each location in the morning, confirm transport and deal with any changes before your call time.
A film fixer in Kenya who goes quiet is a risk. We do the opposite. We tell you more than you need, so you never wonder.
Filming in Kibera with a film fixer in Kenya
We have produced film scenes in Kibera for an international artist. Places like Kibera are full of life and stories. They also need care.
Residents are not extras. They live there. A good shoot respects that.
How we approach community filming
- We speak to local leaders before the shoot, not during it
- We explain what is being filmed and why
- We agree where the crew will be and for how long
- We make sure people who appear on camera know and agree
- We keep the crew small and the footprint light
Music video shoots in busy areas draw crowds fast. Fans, children and curious neighbours all want a look. We plan for that with clear space, friendly helpers and a short explanation for anyone who asks.
This approach protects the shoot and the community. It also gives you better footage. People are more relaxed when they know what is happening.
Safety on set
Busy places bring busy moments. Crowds gather, traffic builds and equipment draws attention.
We plan routes in and out, keep gear in sight and agree a meeting point if the crew needs to move fast. We also keep the call sheet short and clear so everyone knows the plan.
Safety is part of the job of a film fixer in Kenya. A calm set is a productive set.
If your project needs a film fixer in Kenya for a busy area, tell us early. Goodwill takes a little time to build.
What does it cost?
Our day rate as a film fixer in Kenya is $250 per day. A location scouting day is $300.
| Service | Our fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Film fixer day rate | $250 per day |
| Location scouting day | $300 |
| Airport pickup or drop at JKIA | $60 |
Add ons
- Outside Nairobi: travel is quoted upfront
- Urgent same week service: adds 25 percent
Your total with a film fixer in Kenya depends on the number of days, locations and the services you need. A one day music video in Nairobi is a different job from a week of travel across counties.
You get a written quote first. You pay only after you approve the quote.
We quote in USD. You can pay by card, PayPal, bank or M Pesa. We confirm payment options with your quote.
- A written quote before we start
- Government fees such as the KFCB licence passed on at cost
- Receipts for every payment made for you
- No surprise charges on the day
What shapes your quote
- Number of shooting days and scouting days
- Number and spread of locations
- Crew size and transport needs
- Special approvals such as drones or parks
- Any local crew or hire you want us to arrange
The more we know at the start, the more accurate the quote from your film fixer in Kenya will be.
The government side is published. The KFCB charter lists the licence fees in the table above. Our side is a fair fee for planning and running your shoot.
Read how we price all services on our OnGround Africa pricing page.
Why choose OnGround Africa as your film fixer in Kenya?
OnGround Africa is run by Patrick Maina in Nairobi. Patrick also runs Growth Catalyst, with more than 870 projects delivered over 8 years and 452 five star reviews from clients in more than 56 countries.
A client from Ethiopia summed up the work. “Patrick does amazing groundwork for those who are remote from Kenya.”
Groundwork is the whole job of a film fixer in Kenya. Being reliable on the ground for people arriving from elsewhere.
- Experience producing scenes in Kibera for an international artist
- One person who owns your project from first message to wrap
- Honest advice about what will and will not work
- Updates on WhatsApp in your time zone
We also look after people who are not on camera. Producers back home, label managers and clients get updates they can understand without being on set. A film fixer in Kenya should make everyone feel informed.
What we do not do
- We do not pay bribes or ask you to pay one
- We do not skip permits to save time
- We do not film people who have not agreed
- We do not give legal advice on contracts or rights. We bring in a licensed Kenyan advocate where that is needed.
These lines protect your film as much as they protect us. Footage shot without the right permits or consent can cause trouble long after the shoot. A film fixer in Kenya should keep your work clean.
Read more about OnGround Africa.
What else can we handle around your shoot?
Shoots come with side jobs. We can take care of those too.
- Pickups, deliveries and shopping through errands in Kenya
- Checking a studio, house or warehouse location through property inspection in Kenya
- Checking a local prop, costume or equipment hire firm through supplier verification in Kenya
Where can you film around Nairobi?
Nairobi gives you a lot in a small area. Busy streets and markets, modern office blocks, quiet suburbs and green spaces.
Within reach of the city there are farms, hills and open country. Further afield you have the coast, the lakes and the parks.
Light and weather matter too. We send photos taken at the time of day you plan to shoot, so there are no surprises about shadows, glare or crowds.
Tell us the look you want. Your film fixer in Kenya will send options with photos, notes on access and what permission each one needs.
One contact for everything on the ground saves your team hours of calls.
Book your film fixer in Kenya
Send us your brief, dates and crew size. We reply with questions or a written quote.
- WhatsApp: +254 724 991 531
- Email: patrick@growthcatalyst.co.ke
Tell us early if your dates are fixed. Licences, immigration and location permissions all take some lead time. The sooner your film fixer in Kenya starts, the more options you keep.
Not sure yet if you will shoot here? Ask anyway. We are happy to answer early questions and help you decide.
Kenya is ready for your camera. Let a film fixer in Kenya make sure everything else is ready too.
Questions people ask
How long does a KFCB filming licence take?
The KFCB charter lists two working days for feature films and series. Documentaries, short films, corporate, music and promotional videos and adverts are listed at one working day. The application must be complete, so plan the paperwork early.
Do I need a local film agent?
KFCB states that all expatriate filmmakers must work with a local film agent. If your production needs one, we make sure a registered agent is in place before the shoot and you approve the cost first.
Can you get drone permission for us?
Drone filming needs approval from the Ministry of Defence and then the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. As your film fixer in Kenya, we help you plan and prepare for both steps. Share your drone plans early because this takes time.
Do you work outside Nairobi?
Yes. We can scout and support shoots in other counties. Travel and time are shown in your written quote from your film fixer in Kenya.
What does a film fixer in Kenya charge?
Our day rate is $250 per day and a location scouting day is $300. Government fees such as the KFCB licence are passed on at cost with receipts. You approve a written quote before we start.
