Machawood is a pioneering initiative by the County Government of Machakos, operating as a section under the Department of Tourism and Culture. Established to drive the growth of the creative economy, Machawood serves as a catalyst for innovation and job creation in film, music, and the arts. Through a commitment to talent development and infrastructure investment, Machawood has positioned itself as a premier destination for artists and creatives across Kenya and beyond.

With a mandate to harness talent among the youth and provide a thriving environment for artists, Machawood has invested in world-class infrastructure, including a newly constructed sound studio and a state-of-the-art amphitheatre at Machakos People’s Park.

VISION STATEMENT

A center of excellence where quality entertainment is created and harnessed.

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide a conducive environment for the arts, develop partnerships, identify and nurture skills and talents to spur economic growth.

OUR OBJECTIVES

1. Develop world-class infrastructure for the production of quality film, media, music, and the arts.
2. Engage, train, and retain quality human resources for the attainment of Machawood’s vision.
3. Adopt best practices for film, media, music, and arts production in the entertainment industry.
4. Develop strategic alliances and public-private partnerships with stakeholders in the entertainment industry.
5. Scout and facilitate the development of talent and skills locally and beyond.
6. Create opportunities for talented performers by organizing entertainment activities.

 OUR FACILITIES

MachaWood offers modern facilities to support all aspects of production. These facilities are open to artists, filmmakers, producers, and event organizers seeking professional spaces to create, showcase, and celebrate the arts.

A fully equipped sound studio for music and film recording.

• Built on 50 acres in the proposed new Machakos City, the Machawood Studios are designed to transform the region into a vibrant hub for film and music production. The complex includes a fully equipped, acoustically treated sound studio for music and film recording, audio post-production, and voice-over work offices, editing suites, rehearsal spaces and rooms to accommodate diverse creative needs.
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• A State-of-the-Art Amphitheatre:

• A versatile performance venue at Machakos People’s Park, ideal for hosting concerts, film screenings, theatre productions, live events and festivals.

Our Programmes

Machawood runs diverse programmes designed to identify, train, and promote talent across the county and the country. These programmes have been successfully implemented with the support of dedicated sponsors and partners:

• Machakosfest (Short Film Festival): An annual short film festival that is open to local and international filmmakers. Each year, the festival has a specific theme that filmmakers have to creatively interpret in seven minutes of film.
• ArtFest:This is an annual two-day workshop with the goal of training artists on how to brand themselves, copyright their work and turn their talents into money-making ventures.
• Machakos Film Training Workshop:These are film training workshops, where we cover scripting, camera work, lighting, sound and editing. The aim is to improve the standards of filming for the talented youth in Machakos County.
• UHAI Festival – Machakos:This is a two day festival which promotes programs tailored for People With Disabilities (PWDs). The two-day festival focuses on sports, the arts and entertainment.
• Machakos New Year Eve Concert:This event brings renowned international music artistes, to entertain as well as motivate upcoming music talents within Machakos County.  It happens on the new year eve, at the Machakos People’s Park.
• Machakos Spoken Word Festival:This annual program was aimed at tapping the talent of school going pupils and students in spoken word genres including poems, narratives, rap, choral verses and news anchoring.

Join Us

Machawood is committed to shaping the future of Kenya’s creative economy. We invite artists, producers, investors, and partners to collaborate with us in nurturing talent and building a thriving creative industry.