The Kalasha Awards form part of the broader Kalasha International Film and TV Market, Festival and Awards programme, an initiative dedicated to promoting African storytelling cross-cultural exchange, and industry growth.
By Adedamola Jones Adedayo
The 14th edition of the Kalasha International Film and TV Awards, organised by the Kenya Film Commission, took place on Saturday, 2nd May 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, bringing together key stakeholders across the global film and television landscape to celebrate excellence in Kenya’s screen industries.
The ceremony attracted over 3,000 delegates, 100 exhibitors, and participants from more than 30 countries. It was notably attended for the first time by William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, in the company of Hon. Salim Mvurya, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy & Sports, and Mr. Fikirini Jacob Kahindi, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy.
Awards were presented across Film and Television categories, with standout productions earning multiple honours. In particular, Nawi: Dear Future Me, Sukari and Kash Money led the evening as the biggest winners, each with five awards; followed by productions such as Sarah, The People Shall, The Dog, Memory of Princess Mumbi, and Big Girl Small World went away with two each.
The ceremony also included special and lifetime achievement awards, recognising audience favourites, emerging talents, digital content creators, and veterans who have long contributed to the development of the industry.
The Kalasha Awards form part of the broader Kalasha International Film and TV Market, Festival and Awards programme, an initiative dedicated to promoting African storytelling, cross-cultural exchange, and industry growth. Held across four days this year, the event convenes filmmakers and other industry stakeholders from across the world of film and television, creating room for business and trade relations, networking and partnership deals, culminating in the Kalasha Awards on the fourth day.
Below is the full list of winners and nominees.
FILM
Best Feature Film
- Nawi — Winner
- The Dog
- Sketchy Africans
- Safari
- She Gets Me
Best Director (Film)
- Omar Hamza, Sukari — Winner
- Mark Maina, The People Shall
- Shandra Apondi, Owadwa
- Toby Schmutzler, Kevin Schmutzler, Vallentne Chelluget & Apuu Mourine, Nawi
- Wanjeri Gakuru, Transaction
- Cecimercy Wanza, Kanairo
- Baker Karim, The Dog
- Damien Hauser, Memory of Princess Mumbi
Best Lead Actor (Film)
- Juma Mdoe, Sukari — Winner
- Brian Furaha, Owadwa
- Joe Kinyua, She Gets Me
- Jeff Omondi, Kanairo
- Alexander Karim, The Dog
- Bruce Makau, 2 Asunder
- Elsaphan Njora, Transaction
Best Supporting Actor (Film)
- Jave Samson, Sukari — Winner
- Derrick Agwingi, Owadwa
- Morris Mwangi, Sketchy Africans
- Kevin “K1” Maina, 2 Asunder
- Blessing Lung’aho, Ajeni
- Fish Achege, Transaction
Best Lead Actress (Film)
- Michelle Lemuya, Nawi — Winner
- Mumtaz Dhulfiqar, Sukari
- Gachiki Gachiki, Transaction
- Nyokabi Macharia, Sketchy Africans
- Shandra Apondi, Memory of Princess Mumbi
- Angela Mwandanda, She Gets Me
- Beatrice Kamuyu, Owadwa
Best Supporting Actress (Film)
- Ivy Collette, Owadwa — Winner
- Sanaipei Tande, 2 Asunder
- Brenda Michelle, Makosa Ni Yangu
- Kui Kabala, Bella Is Dying Next Week
- Caroline Midimo, The Dog
- Michelle Tiren, Nawi
Best Original Screenplay
- June Wairegi & Omar Hamza, Sukari — Winner
- Wanjeri Gakuru, Transaction
- Shandra Apondi, Owadwa
- Clementina Kabutha & Cecimercy Wanza, Kanairo
- Brian Munene, She Gets Me
- Jackline Emali, Ngone Mwaitu
- Damien Hauser, Memory of Princess Mumbi
- Veronika Kotengo, Sketchy Africans
- Milcah Cherotich, Nawi
Best Cinematographer
- Andrew Mungai & Baker Karim, The Dog — Winner
- Klaus Kneist, Nawi: Dear Future Me
- Damien Hauser, Owadwa
- Bryan Adagala, The People Shall
- Mohamed Zanudin, Sukari
- John Poggio, Sarah
- Mohamed “Moha” Zain, Makosa Ni Yangu
- Geoffery Mwangi, Transaction
- Jackson Kang’ethe, Kanairo
- Jim Bishop, Cards on the Table
Best Sound Designer
- Eric Musyoka, Sarah — Winner
- Omar Hamza, Sukari
- Seam P., The People Shall
- Daniel “Clue” Aten’g, Kanairo
- Teddy Priest Ochieng’, Sarah
- Roman Pogorzelski, Nawi
- Michael “Cap” Chepkwony, Owadwa
Best Editor
- Mark Maina, The People Shall — Winner
- Omar Hamza, Sukari
- Toby Schmutzler, Nawi
- Jibril Drake, Owadwa
- Damien Hauser, Memories of Princess Mumbi
Best Visual Effects (VFX)
- Damien Hauser, Memory of Princess Mumbi — Winner
- David Wachira, The Last Message
- Grace Murema, 2 Asunder
- Nawi
- Chol Jurkuch, Bus 338
Best Production Designer
- Erikson Kang’ethe, Nawi — Winner
- Mwafrika Hamisi, Sukari
- George Mungai, The Dog
- Bakhita Gikonyo, The People Shall
- Makosa Ni Yangu
- Damien Hauser, Memory of Princess Mumbi
- Harrison “Tish” Mutinda, Safari
Best Costume Designer
- Viva Njeri, Nawi — Winner
- Shandra Apondi, Owadwa
- Eunice Rimba, Sukari
- Vivian Njeri Kimotho, Cards on the Table
- Sophie Oprisanu, The Dog
Best Make-Up Artist
- John “Suki” Michuki Kibunguri, 2 Asunder — Winner
- Mwanarusi Mwasina, Sukari
- Viona Ndiritu, Owadwa
- James Gikonyo, The Dog
- Stacey Gichinju, Makosa Ni Yangu
Best Gaffer
- Walter Odhiambo, The Dog — Winner
- Ludwig Schulz & Tobias Njoga, Nawi
- Gregory Kiwo Maole, The People Shall
- Joe Kiarie, Owadwa
- Shavin, Ajeni
Best Film Score
- Frank Matovu, Sukari — Winner
- Damien Hauser, Memory of Princess Mumbi
- Amadeus Indetzki & Apuu Mourine, Nawi
- Billy Black, Owadwa
- Mbinu Mbili, Kanairo
- Muringi Matheri, Wamaitha
Best Animation
- Lore — Winner
- The Big Sad Nairobi
- Kito and Chacha: The Leader
Best Short Film
- Sukari — Winner
- Owadwa
- Kanairo
- Transaction
- Ajeni
Best Documentary
- The People Shall — Winner
- Letters to Dad
- Uyangoni
- Beyond Boundaries
Best Kenyan Indigenous Language Film
- Sarah — Winner
- Wamaitha
- Ngone Mwaitu
- Matatu Master
TELEVISION
Best TV Drama
- Kash Money — Winner
- MTV Shuga Mashariki
- Big Girl Small World
- Single Kiasi
- Prefects
Best TV Director
- Grace Kahaki & Philippe Bresson, Kash Money — Winner
- Nick Mutuma, Big Girl Small World
- Likarion Wainaina, Subterranea
- Likarion Wainaina, Mkaiwawi Mwakaba & June Ndinya Aaqib, MTV Shuga Mashariki
- Carol Odongo, Paa
- Grace Kahaki & Philippe Bresson, Single Kiasi S4
- Carol Odongo, The Chocolate Empire
- June Ndinya Aaqib, Vincent Mbaya & Davis Nato, Lazizi
- Reuben Odanga, Mo-Faya
Best Lead Actor (TV)
- John Sibi Okumu, Kash Money — Winner
- Emmanuel Mugo, Big Girl Small World
- Basil Mungai, MTV Shuga Mashariki
- Jimmy Gathu, The Chocolate Empire
- Melvin Alusa, Subterranea
- Kelvin Maina, Single Kiasi
- Joe Kinyua, Njoro wa Uba
Best Supporting Actor (TV)
- Lenana Kariba, Kash Money — Winner
- Dennis Mugo, Big Girl Small World
- Michael Ngugi, MTV Shuga Mashariki
- Jack Mutinda, Mizani
- Biko Nyongesa, Subterranea
Best Lead Actress (TV)
- June Njenga, Big Girl Small World — Winner
- Mwende King’ori, Paa
- Sanaipei Tande, Kash Money
- Hellen Keli, Lazizi
- Foi Wambui, Subterranea
- Serah Wanjiru, MTV Shuga Mashariki
- Minnie Kariuki, Single Kiasi
Best Supporting Actress (TV)
- Amara Tari, Kash Money — Winner
- Julie Brenda, MTV Shuga Mashariki
- Nice Githinji, Subterranea
- Jane Wambui, Njoro wa Uba
- Diana Njuguna, Big Girl Small World
- Ciku Kaboi, The Chocolate Empire
Best TV Scriptwriter
- Angela Ruhinda, Big Girl Small World — Winner
- Grace Kahaki & Philippe Bresson, Kash Money
- Bruno Tanya, Paa
- Likarion Wainaina et al., Subterranea
- Carol Kemunto et al., Single Kiasi S4
- Annette Shadeya, MTV Shuga Mashariki
SPECIAL & OTHER AWARDS
Best Student Film
- Dinner for Three — Winner
- Dumpside Guardian
- Ifikie Governor
- Spin to Loose
- Own Goal
Best Student Documentary
- The Inkidongi — Winner
- Deafenately
Best International Film
- Jimbi — Winner
- Half Chocolate Half Vanilla
- Take My Hand
- Uhuru
Best Children’s Production
- Ndemwa — Winner
People’s Choice Award (Feature Film)
- Nawi — Winner
- The Dog
- Sketchy Africans
- Safari
- She Gets Me
- Makosa Ni Yangu
- 2 Asunder
- Cards on the Table
- Boda Love
- Family Vacation
People’s Choice Award (TV Drama)
- MTV Shuga Mashariki — Winner
- Kash Money
- Big Girl Small World
- Single Kiasi
- Prefects
- Subterranea
- Chocolate Empire
- Paa
- Adam to Eve
- Mo-Faya
Digital Content Creator Awards
- Edwin Wainaina (Kadusko) — Digital Creator of the Year — Winner
- Shiksha Arora — Positive Impact Creator — Winner
Honorary Awards
- Memory of Princess Mumbi — Jury Award — Winner
- John Karanja — Lifetime Achievement Award — Winner