Actress Nice Githinji becomes East Africa’s first certified Intimacy Coordinator

The landmark announcement was made by the Kenya Film Commission, which hailed the development as a crucial step toward establishing safer, more professional, and respectful working environments on set across film and television productions. 

According to the commission, Githinji’s certification sets a new benchmark for industry standards as Kenya continues to build a professional, inclusive, and globally competitive screen sector.

An Intimacy Coordinator serves as a liaison between actors, directors, and production crews when planning and filming sensitive content, including kissing, simulated sex, and nudity. 

The specialised role focuses on establishing clear physical boundaries, facilitating informed consent, choreographing intimate scenes safely, and protecting performers' dignity throughout the production process.

By integrating intimacy coordination into local sets, the industry aims to ensure that delicate scenes are clearly agreed upon and safely executed without compromising the creative vision of directors.

Githinji's journey into this still very niche and emerging craft began with self-taught resources from the Intimacy Directors & Coordinators (IDC) website, a female-led platform that trains intimacy professionals for TV, film, and theatre.

She also trained under South African director and intimacy coordinator Sara Blecher through GIZ and MultiChoice Talent Factory’s intimacy coordination program in 2024.

Speaking to Sinema Focus back in April 2026, the actress said: "Intimacy coordination is very new in the world, but it’s even newer for Kenya. My hope is that sooner or later, it becomes the new normal because everyone’s mind, body and soul has to be protected on set, whether cast or crew."

"As Africans, we tend to hide intimacy, as if it isn’t a natural part of life,” says Githinji. “But if we’re telling authentic stories, we must show humans in full. African love is rich, complex, beautiful, and it deserves to be seen with the same care as any other part of our identity.”