Kenyan actress and filmmaker Nice Githinji has made history after becoming East Africa’s first certified intimacy coordinator, marking a significant milestone for the region’s film and television industry.
The Kenya Film Commission announced the achievement on Thursday, October 8, describing it as an important step towards creating safer and more professional working environments for actors and production crews.
Intimacy coordination involves working with actors and production teams to ensure sensitive scenes are handled professionally, with clear communication and respect for performers’ comfort and boundaries.
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Githinji's certification comes as Kenya's entertainment industry continues to embrace professional standards designed to protect performers while allowing filmmakers to tell authentic stories.
What Does an Intimacy Coordinator Do?
An intimacy coordinator works with actors, directors and production teams to establish clear boundaries before filming sensitive scenes.
Their responsibilities include agreeing on the physical contact involved, communicating performers' comfort levels and ensuring that intimate scenes are carefully choreographed rather than improvised without consent.
The role also helps actors communicate their concerns without fearing that speaking up could jeopardize their opportunities in the industry.
In an interview with Sinema Focus published in April 2025, Githinji explained that her interest in intimacy coordination developed partly from her own experiences as an actress.
She recalled situations in which she believed she had control over a scene but later recognized that actors did not always understand their rights or feel empowered to refuse situations that made them uncomfortable.
"I hope 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," she told Sinema Focus.
How Nice Githinji Started Her Journey
Githinji's path into intimacy coordination began with independent research into the subject through resources provided by Intimacy Directors and Coordinators, an organization that trains professionals working in film, television and theatre.
She subsequently trained under South African director and intimacy coordinator Sara Blecher through a programme involving GIZ and MultiChoice Talent Factory in 2024.
Her experience in the field includes working on the short film Transaction, which was selected for the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2025, as well as the young adult drama Tuki? (Tukisonga).
She has also worked as an intimacy coordinator on MTV Shuga Mashariki, expanding her involvement beyond acting and directing.
According to the Kenya Film Commission, her certification establishes a new benchmark for professional standards in the region's screen industry.
Beyond Acting and Directing
Githinji has built a career spanning acting, producing, directing and mentoring upcoming performers.
Her acting credits include the films Rafiki and Subira, alongside stage productions such as Grease the Musical.
She has also been involved in initiatives aimed at developing emerging talent, including JiNice Visafe, which operates under her company, Creatives Kinetic Hub.
Through intimacy coordination, Githinji hopes to encourage more productions to adopt structured safeguards, allowing actors to participate in demanding scenes without compromising their dignity.
