Kalasha 2026 Nominees

Kenya’s premier screen industry celebration, the 14th Kalasha International Film and TV Awards, is officially back. It has officially kicked off its voting season following a high-energy nomination ceremony. This edition is the biggest yet, spanning 40 categories, drawing from over 100 submissions in the film and TV entries.

Of the 40 categories, 18 non-technical categories are open to public vote, with the platform having opened today. The People’s Choice Awards will be determined by 100% public voting. For those who want to see the nominated films before casting their ballot, Anga Cinemas in Nairobi and Kisumu are screening them for free, with the schedule said to be released later on.

The 14th edition also introduces two new categories that will cater to the digital creators, which KFC say are still being curated, a sign that the awards are actively responding to the evolving content creator landscape.

Ledama Sempele, Jury Chairperson for this edition, set the tone for the ceremony with a candid and encouraging read of the submissions. His key takeaway was that Kenyan storytelling is growing in confidence and craft. The themes dominating this year’s entries include gender-based violence and female genital mutilation, as well as the realities of urban life, love and relationships. The jury noted a clear rise in creativity and authenticity, with filmmakers reaching for experimental narrative styles and, notably, the integration of AI in production workflows. Regulatory bodies echoed this sentiment, observing more diverse and mature stories coming through the pipeline.

The jury was equally direct about where the industry still has work to do. On the creative side, filmmakers were urged to invest more time in script development and strengthen overall narrative structure, with the jury acknowledging that the potential is clearly there. Performance was another area flagged, with the jury citing that stronger actor direction and deeper character work would elevate productions to the next level. Television received its own pointed critique, with the jury calling for greater originality and innovation, underlining that TV carries a unique responsibility to shape audience expectations for the wider film industry. Beyond craft, the jury pointed to children’s content as a largely untapped opportunity, and stressed that the industry needs to more boldly embrace emerging technologies

On compliance, a number of entries were disqualified for failing to meet submission requirements, specifically, not providing valid screening links and classification certificates, and filmmakers were encouraged to ensure full compliance in future editions.

THE NOMINEES

BEST FEATURE FILM

Title Producer

1. Nawi Brizan Were
2. The Dog Appie Matere
3. Sketchy Africans Vincent Mbaya & Sally Nyoike
4. Safari Reuben Odanga
5. S.He Gets Me Millicent Ogutu

BEST SHORT FILM

Title Producer

1. Sukari June Wairegi
2. Owadwa Celine Onditi
3. Kanairo Clementina Kabutha
4. Transaction Wanjeri Gakuru
5. Ajeni Louise Kamwangi

BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A FILM

Actor Character Film

1. Juma Mdoe Abbas Sukari
2. Brian Furaha John Owadwa
3. Joe Kinyua Him S.He Gets Me
4. Jeff Omondi Johnte Kanairo
5. Alexander Karim Mz The Dog
6. Bruce Makau Jafari 2 Asunder
7. Elsaphan Njora Mburu Transaction

BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A FILM

Actress Character Film

1. Mumtaz Dhulfiqar Qadra Sukari
2. Michelle Lemuya Nawi Nawi
3. Gachiki Gachiki Waks Transaction
4. Nyokabi Macharia Miriam Sketchy Africans
5. Shandra Apondi Mumbi Memory of Princess Mumbi
6. Angela Mwandanda Her S.He Gets Me
7. Beatrice Kamuyu Mama Mark Owadwa

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A FILM

Actor Character Film

1. Jave Samson Musa Sukari
2. Derrick Agwingi Mark Owadwa
3. Morris Mwangi Ras Sketchy Africans
4. Kevin “K1” Maina Kilimo Junior 2 Asunder
5. Blessing Lung’aho Otula Ajeni
6. Fish Chege Jonte Transaction

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A FILM

Actress Character Film

1. Ivy Collette Mary Owadwa
2. Sanaipei Tande Ntewa 2 Asunder
3. Brenda Michelle—Makosa Ni Yangu
4. Kui Kabana Mama Bella Bella is Dying Maybe Next Week
5. Caroline Midimo Saddam The Dog
6. Michelle Tiren Rosemary Nawi

BEST KENYA INDIGENOUS FILM

Title Producer

1. Sarah Sarah Tenoi, Nick Reding, Amos Leuka
2. Wamaitha Kang’ethe Mungai
3. Ngone Mwaitu Jackline Emali & Alfred Munyua
4. Matatu Master Anton Konkin

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Title Producer

1. The People Shall Mark Maina
2. Letters to Dad Fred Makori
3. Unyangoni Saitabao Kaiyare
4. Beyond Boundaries Kafiyo Osman

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Film Scriptwriter(s)

1. Sukari June Wairegi & Omar Hamza
2. Transaction Wanjeri Gakuru
3. Owadwa Shandra Apondi
4. Kanairo Clementina Kabutha & Cecimercy Wanza
5. S.He Gets Me Brian Munene
6. Ngone Mwaitu Jackline Emali
7. Memory of Princess Mumbi Damien Hauser
8. Sketchy Africans Veronika Kotengo
9. Nawi Milcah Cherotich

BEST DIRECTOR

Film Director(s)

1. Sukari Omar Hamza
2. The People Shall Mark Maina
3. Owadwa Shandra Apondi
4. Nawi Toby Schmutzler, Kevin Schmutzler, Vallentine Chelluget, Apuu Mourine
5. Transaction Wanjeri Gakuru
6. Kanairo Cecimercy Wanza
7. The Dog Baker Karim
8. Memory of Princess Mumbi Damien Hauser

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER

Film Cinematographer

1. Nawi – Dear Future Me Klaus Kneist
2. Owadwa Damien Hauser
3. The Dog Andrew Mungai; Baker Karim
4. The People Shall Bryan Adagala
5. Sukari Mohamed Zanudin
6. Sarah Joan Poggio
7. Makosa Ni Yangu Mohammed “Moha” Zain
8. Transaction Geoffrey Mwangi
9. Kanairo Jackson Kang’ethe
10. Cards on the Table Jim Bishop

BEST SOUND DESIGNER

Film Nominee

1. Sukari Omar Hamza
2. The People Shall Seam P.
3. Kanairo Daniel ‘Clue’ Aten’g
4. Sarah Teddy Priest Ochieng‘
5. Nawi Roman Pogorzelski
6. Owadwa Michael ‘Cap’ Chepkwony

BEST FILM SCORE

Film Nominee

1. Sukari Frank Matovu
2. Memory of Princess Mumbi Damien Hauser
3. Nawi – Dear Future Me Amadeus Indetzki & Apuu Mourine
4. Owadwa Billy Black
5. Kanairo Mbinu Mbili
6. Wamaitha Muringi Matheri

BEST EDITOR

Film Nominee

1. Sukari Omar Hamza
2. The People Shall Mark Maina
3. Nawi – Dear Future Me Toby Schmutzler
4. Owadwa Jibril Drake
5. Memories of Princess Mumbi Damien Hauser

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Film Nominee

1. Memories of Princess Mumbi Damien Hauser
2. The Last Message David Wachira
3. 2 Asunder Grace Murema
4. Nawi – Dear Future Me
5. Bus 338 Chol Jurkuch

BEST GAFFER

Film Nominee

1. The Dog Walter Odhiambo
2. Nawi – Dear Future Me Ludwig Schulz & Tobias Njoga
3. The People Shall Gregory Kiwo Maole
4. Owadwa Joe Kiarie
5. Ajeni Shavin

BEST COSTUME DESIGNER

Film Nominee

1. Nawi – Dear Future Me Viva Njeri
2. Owadwa Shandra Apondi
3. Sukari Eunice Rimba
4. Cards on the Table Vivian Nnjeri Kimotho
5. The Dog Sophie Oprisanu

BEST MAKEUP ARTIST

Film Nominee

1. Sukari Mwanarusi Mwasina
2. Owadwa Viona Ndiritu
3. The Dog James Gikonyo
4. Makosa Ni Yangu Stacey Gichinju
5. 2 Asunder John ‘Suki’ Michuki Kibunguri
6. Nawi – Dear Future Me Mercy Ng’endo

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Film Nominee

1. Nawi – Dear Future Me Erikson Kangethe
2. Sukari Mwafrika Hamisi
3. The Dog George Mungai
4. The People Shall Bakhitta Gikonyo
5. Makosa Ni Yangu Not Stated
6. Memory of Princess Mumbi Damien Hauser
7. Safari Harrison “Tish” Mutinda

BEST ANIMATION

Title Producer

1. Lore Mary Wanjiku
2. The Big Sad Nairobi Gift Kyansimire
3. Kito and Chacha: The Leader Ebby Productions

TELEVISION NOMINEES

BEST TV DRAMA

Title Producer

1. Kash Money Grace Kahaki
2. MTV Shuga Mashariki Kevin Njue
3. Big Girl Small World Nicholas Munene Mutuma
4. Single Kiasi Grace Kahaki
5. Prefects June Ndinya Aaqib

BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A TV DRAMA

Actor Character Show

1. John Sibi Okumu Joe Kash Money
2. Emmanuel Mugo Kassim Big Girl Small World
3. Basil Mungai Salaton MTV Shuga Mashariki
4. Jimmy Gathu—The Chocolate Empire
5. Melvin Alusa Red Subterranea
6. Kelvin Maina Richie Single Kiasi
7. Joe Kinyua Njoro Njoro wa Uba

BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A TV DRAMA

Actress Character Show

1. June Njenga Ciku Big Girl Small World
2. Mwende Kingori Abura Paa
3. Sanaipei Tande Nina Njenge Kash Money
4. Hellen Keli Bridgit Mbotela Lazizi
5. Foi Wambui Pink Subterranea
6. Serah Wanjiru Nyokabi MTV Shuga Mashariki
7. Minnie Kariuki Maria Single Kiasi

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TV DRAMA

Actor Character Show

1. Lenana Kariba Njagi Kash Money
2. Dennis Mugo—Big Girl Small World
3. Mathew Ngugi Erick MTV Shuga Mashariki
4. Jack Mutinda Solomon Katitu Mizani
5. Biko Nyongesa Brown Subterranea

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TV DRAMA

Actress Character Show

1. Amara Tari Cate Njenga Kash Money
2. Julie Brenda Asha MTV Shuga Mashariki
3. Nice Githinji Grey Subterranea
4. Jane Wambui Jezebel Njoro wa Uba
5. Diana Njuguna—Big Girl Small World
6. Ciku Kaboi Marie Mauzo The Chocolate Empire

BEST TV SCRIPTWRITER

Show Scriptwriter(s)

1. Big Girl Small World Angela Ruhinda
2. Kash Money Grace Kahaki & Philippe Bresson
3. Paa Bruno Tanya
4. Subterranea Likarion Wainana, Brian Munene, Arnold Mwanjila & Martin Kigondu
5. Single Kiasi – Season 4 Carol Kemunto, Jazzmine Maina, Grace Adhiambo & Jim Malakwen
6. MTV Shuga Mashariki Annette Shadeya

BEST TV DIRECTOR

Show Director(s)

1. Kash Money Grace Kahaki & Phille Bresson
2. Big Girl Small World Nick Mutuma
3. Subterranea Likarion Wainaina
4. MTV Shuga Mashariki Likarion Wainaina, Mkaiwawi Mwakaba & June Ndinya Aaqib
5. Paa Carol Odongo
6. Single Kiasi – Season 4 Grace Kahaki & Phille Bresson
7. The Chocolate Empire Grace Kahaki & Phille Bresson
8. Lazizi June Ndinya Aaqib, Vincent Mbaya & Davis Nato
9. Mo-Faya Reuben Odanga

BEST STUDENT FILM

Title Student Institution

1. Dinner for Three Brian Kabogozza Multichoice Talent Factory
2. Dumpside Guardian Kadii Lucy Kenya Institute of Mass Communication
3. Ifikie Governor Seda Nigel Film Fupi Academy
4. Spin to Loose Ian Kipngetich Mount Kenya University
5. Own Goal Yassir Ngome Kenya School of Mass Communication

BEST DOCUMENTARY BY A STUDENT

Title Student Institution

1. Deafenately Heard Samuel Ochieng Kenya Institute of Mass Communication
2. The Inkidongi Muthoni R. Gathigia Kenya Film School

PEOPLE’S CHOICE & INTERNATIONAL

The People’s Choice Awards are decided entirely by public vote — no jury input.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD – FEATURE FILM

Title Producer(s)

1. Nawi Brizan Were
2. The Dog Appie Matere
3. Sketchy Africans Vincent Mbaya & Sally Nyoike
4. Safari Reuben Odanga
5. S.He Gets Me Millicent Ogutu
6. Makosa Ni Yangu Denise Kibisu-Ngibuini
7. 2 Asunder Fakii Liwali, Betty M. Mutua
8. Cards on the Table Shirleen Wangari
9. Boda Love Janet Wells, Nina Ruiz
10. Family Vacation Sarah Hassan

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD – TV DRAMA

Title Producer

1. Kash Money Grace Kahaki
2. MTV Shuga Mashariki Kevin Njue
3. Big Girl Small World Nicholas Munene Mutuma
4. Single Kiasi Grace Kahaki
5. Prefects June Ndinya Aaqib
6. Subterranea Brian Munene
7. Chocolate Empire Grace Kahaki
8. Paa Audrey Tanta
9. Adam to Eve Alexandors Konstantaras
10. Mo-Faya Reuben Odanga

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

Title Producer

1. Jimbi Talemwa Pius
2. Half Chocolate Half Vanilla Emilio Kinyita Mirii, Moses Yens, Jesse Kamau
3. Take My Hand Nansubuga Rhoda Ssegane
4. Uhuru Tash Misbah

Voting is open now.