In the bustling city of Nairobi, where dreams and aspirations thrive amidst the lively pace of life, two young men embarked on a journey that would lead them to create one of Kenya’s most successful film production companies – Phil-It Productions.
Philip Karanja and Abel Mutua, once extras on the popular TV show Tahidi High, demonstrated that unwavering determination and a clear vision can turn dreams into reality.
Their journey began with a shared aspiration to make it big in the film industry. Starting as actors, they earned a modest Sh500 per episode on Tahidi High, but their passion for storytelling extended far beyond their roles on screen.
“When we joined Tahidi High in 2007, we were extras. The show had begun a year earlier. Citizen TV, at the time, was relatively new and wasn’t generating much revenue, so earning Sh500 was a big deal for us. Over time, as we became part of the main cast, our pay increased to Sh3,000 per episode. By the time I left the show in 2011, we were earning Sh20,000 per episode,” recalls Philip.
Philip’s interest in directing grew as he immersed himself in learning the intricacies of film production while acting on the show. A turning point came when he watched an action film featuring a mesmerizing shot that solidified his dream of becoming a film director.
Driven by ambition, both Philip and Abel began pursuing roles behind the camera. In 2008, an opportunity arose for Philip to become a production assistant on Tahidi High. This role ignited his passion for directing, and he climbed the ranks, eventually leaving the show in 2014 as both a cast member and director.
The defining moment in their careers came when they collaborated on the pilot for the comedic series The Real Househelps of Kawangware. The show’s immense popularity catapulted actors like Timothy ‘Njugush’ Kimani and Steven ‘DJ Shiti’ Oduor into the spotlight.
Despite this success, Phil-It Productions faced significant challenges. Securing new projects was an uphill battle, and financial hardships took their toll.
“2016 was one of our toughest years. We were shooting numerous pilot episodes for pitches, but there was no guarantee they would be picked up. Each pilot cost between Sh300,000 and Sh500,000 to produce. Most of our pitches were rejected by every broadcaster in the country, resulting in losses of over Sh1 million across four different concepts,” Philip recalls.
Undeterred by setbacks, Philip and Abel remained steadfast in their dream of building a successful production company. They financed pilot projects with their personal savings and earnings from The Real Househelps of Kawangware. Their perseverance paid off when their show Sue Na Jonnie was picked up and premiered on Showmax in 2017.
However, this success came with challenges. By the end of the year, Phil-It Productions faced a debt of Sh3 million, stemming from mismanagement of funds and overpayment to cast and crew. Rather than being discouraged, they saw these difficulties as lessons to refine their approach.
To turn things around, they enlisted the help of business strategy consultant Stanley Gichobi. Gichobi and his team devised a robust business model focused on the B2C (Business-to-Consumer) approach. The company launched its own distribution platform, philittv.com, offering Kenyan content directly to consumers and breaking away from the traditional broadcaster-dependent model.
Phil-It Productions released their first film, Grand Little Lie, in October 2021. The film’s resounding success exceeded expectations, breaking even on production costs. The subsequent release of Click Click Bang further cemented their status as trailblazers in Kenya’s film industry. Within a short time, their platform generated a gross income of Sh9 million, with subscribers willingly paying more than the set price, showcasing the demand for Kenyan content.
With this momentum, Philip and Abel expanded their vision. They aimed to make philittv.com a hub for diverse Kenyan content, offering opportunities for other filmmakers and meeting the growing appetite for local stories.
Today, Philip Karanja and Abel Mutua’s journey from struggling actors to film production titans stands as a testament to resilience, determination, and a passion for storytelling. Their innovative approach has redefined the Kenyan film industry, and with exciting projects and recognition from international platforms like Netflix, the future shines brightly for Phil-It Productions.
