The announcement of the Kalasha International Film and TV Awards 2026 nominees has set the tone for what promises to be a defining moment in Kenya’s creative industry. Held in Nairobi at the Panari Hotel, the vibrant ceremony brought together filmmakers, actors, producers, and content creators from across the country. The event, hosted by media personality Amina Abdi Rabar, reflected both celebration and progress within the industry. This year’s nominations stand out not only for their diversity but also for the introduction of new categories that recognize the fast-growing digital content space. With 185 submissions across 40 categories, the scale of participation shows clear momentum in Kenyan storytelling.
A key highlight of the 2026 edition is the introduction of a Content Creators segment by the Kenya Film Commission, marking a shift in how storytelling is defined and rewarded. CEO Timothy Owase emphasized that the move reflects the changing nature of content consumption and production. He pointed out that young creators across Nairobi and beyond are actively producing digital content that reaches wide audiences. This inclusion signals recognition of creators who operate outside traditional film and television structures but still shape cultural narratives. Owase also stressed that storytelling is no longer limited to cinema screens, as mobile and digital platforms now play a major role.
The financial incentive for winners also adds weight to the competition, with each category winner set to receive KSh 200,000. This reward provides both recognition and practical support for creatives looking to sustain their careers. Owase noted that the industry has seen a noticeable improvement in production quality, with many projects now meeting international standards. He highlighted the importance of exporting Kenyan stories to global markets, which can boost both cultural influence and economic growth. At the same time, judges acknowledged that there is still room to improve storytelling depth and character development. This balance of progress and critique shows an industry that is growing but still focused on refinement.
The broader impact of the awards extends beyond entertainment. Owase explained that storytelling contributes to job creation, tourism promotion, and national branding. He urged stakeholders, including government and private investors, to support the sector in a more structured way. According to him, the creative industry has the potential to provide sustainable livelihoods for many young people. This is especially relevant in a country where digital access continues to expand. By investing in storytelling, Kenya can position itself as a cultural hub in Africa.
The full list of nominees reflects the depth and range of talent in Kenya’s film and television industry, organized below by category for clarity and accessibility.
Best Feature Film
Nawi – Brizan Were
The Dog – Appie Matere
Sketchy Africans – Vincent Mbaya and Sally Nyoike
Safari – Reuben Odanga
S.he Gets Me – Millicent Ogutu
Best Short Film
Sukari – June Wairegi
Owadwa – Celine Onditi
Kanairo – Clementina Kabutha
Transaction – Wanjeri Gakuru
Ajeni – Louise Kamwangi
Best Lead Actor in a Film
Juma Mdoe-Abbas – Sukari
Brian Furaha-John – Owadwa
Joe Kinyua – S.he Gets Me
Jeff Omondi – Kanairo
Alexander Karim – The Dog
Bruce Makau – 2 Asunder
Elsaphan Njora – Transaction
Best Lead Actress in a Film
Mumtaz Dhulfiqar – Sukari
Michelle Lemuya – Nawi
Gachiki Gachiki – Transaction
Nyokabi Macharia – Sketchy Africans
Shandra Apondi – Memory of Princess Mumbi
Angela Mwandanda – S.he Gets Me
Beatrice Kamuyu – Owadwa
Best Supporting Actor in a Film
Jave Samson – Sukari
Derrick Agwingi – Owadwa
Morris Mwangi – Sketchy Africans
Kevin Maina – 2 Asunder
Blessing Lung’aho – Ajeni
Fish Chege – Transaction
Best Supporting Actress in a Film
Ivy Collette – Owadwa
Sanaipei Tande – 2 Asunder
Brenda Michelle – Makosa Ni Yangu
Kui Kabana – Bella Is Dying Maybe Next Week
Caroline Midimo – The Dog
Michelle Tiren – Nawi
Best Kenyan Indigenous Film
Sarah – Sarah Tenoi, Nick Reding, Amos Leuka
Wamait ha – Kang’ethe Mungai
Ngone Mwaitu – Jackline Emali and Alfred Munyua
Matatu Master – Anton Konkin
Best Documentary
The People Shall – Mark Maina
Letters to Dad – Fred Makori
Unyangoni – Saitabao Kaiyare
Beyond Boundaries – Kafiyo Osman
Best Original Screenplay
Sukari – June Wairegi and Omar Hamza
Transaction – Wanjeri Gakuru
Owadwa – Shandra Apondi
Kanairo – Clementina Kabutha and Cecimercy Wanza
S.he Gets Me – Brian Munene
Ngone Mwaitu – Jackline Emali
Memory of Princess Mumbi – Damien Hauser
Sketchy Africans – Veronika Kotengo
Nawi – Milcah Cherotich
Best Cinematographer
Nawi – Dear Future Me – Klaus Kneist
Owadwa – Damien Hauser
The Dog – Andrew Mungai and Baker Karim
The People Shall – Bryan Adagala
Sukari – Mohamed Zanudin
Sarah – Joan Poggio
Makosa Ni Yangu – Mohammed Zain
Transaction – Geoffrey Mwangi
Kanairo – Jackson Kang’ethe
Cards on the Table – Jim Bishop
Best Sound Designer
Sukari – Omar Hamza
The People Shall – Seam P
Kanairo – Daniel Aten’g
Sarah – Teddy Priest Ochieng
Nawi – Roman Pogorzelski
Owadwa – Michael Chepkwony
Best Film Score
Sukari – Frank Matovu
Memory of Princess Mumbi – Damien Hauser
Nawi – Amadeus Indetzki and Apuu Mourine
Owadwa – Billy Black
Kanairo – Mbinu Mbili
Wamait ha – Muringi Matheri
Best Editor
Sukari – Omar Hamza
The People Shall – Mark Maina
Nawi – Toby Schmutzler
Owadwa – Jibril Drake
Memory of Princess Mumbi – Damien Hauser
Best Visual Effects
Memory of Princess Mumbi – Damien Hauser
The Last Message – David Wachira
2 Asunder – Grace Murema
Nawi – Not stated
Bus 338 – Chol Jurkuch
Best Gaffer
The Dog – Walter Odhiambo
Nawi – Ludwig Schulz and Tobias Njoga
The People Shall – Gregory Kiwo Maole
Owadwa – Joe Kiarie
Ajeni – Shavin
Best Costume Designer
Nawi – Viva Njeri
Owadwa – Shandra Apondi
Sukari – Eunice Rimba
Cards on the Table – Vivian Nnjeri Kimotho
The Dog – Sophie Oprisanu
Best Makeup Artist
Sukari – Mwanarusi Mwasina
Owadwa – Viona Ndiritu
The Dog – James Gikonyo
Makosa Ni Yangu – Stacey Gichinju
2 Asunder – John Michuki Kibunguri
Nawi – Mercy Ng’endo
Best Production Designer
Nawi – Erikson Kang’ethe
Sukari – Mwafrika Hamisi
The Dog – George Mungai
The People Shall – Bakhitta Gikonyo
Makosa Ni Yangu – Not stated
Memory of Princess Mumbi – Damien Hauser
Safari – Harrison Mutinda
Best Director
Sukari – Omar Hamza
The People Shall – Mark Maina
Owadwa – Shandra Apondi
Nawi – Toby Schmutzler, Kevin Schmutzler, Vallentine Chelluget and Apuu Mourine
Transaction – Wanjeri Gakuru
Kanairo – Cecimercy Wanza
The Dog – Baker Karim
Memory of Princess Mumbi – Damien Hauser
Best Animation
Lore – Mary Wanjiku
The Big Sad Nairobi – Gift Kyansimire
Kito and Chacha: The Leader – Ebby Productions
Best TV Drama
Kash Money – Grace Kahaki
MTV Shuga Mashariki – Kevin Njue
Big Girl Small World – Nicholas Munene Mutuma
Single Kiasi – Grace Kahaki
Prefects – June Ndinya Aaqib
Best Supporting Actress in a TV Drama
Amara Tari – Kash Money
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 Lead Actor in a TV Drama
John Sibi Okumu – Kash Money
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 Lead Actress in a TV Drama
June Njenga – Big Girl Small World
Mwende Kingori – Paa
Sanaipei Tande – Kash Money
Hellen Keli – Lazizi
Foi Wambui – Subterranea
Serah Wanjiru – MTV Shuga Mashariki
Minnie Kariuki – Single Kiasi
Best Supporting Actor in a TV Drama
Lenana Kariba – Kash Money
Dennis Mugo – Big Girl Small World
Mathew Ngugi – MTV Shuga Mashariki
Jack Mutinda – Mizani
Biko Nyongesa – Subterranea
Best TV Scriptwriter
Big Girl Small World – Angela Ruhinda
Kash Money – Grace Kahaki and Philippe Bresson
Paa – Bruno Tanya
Subterranea – Likarion Wainana and team
Single Kiasi – Carol Kemunto and team
MTV Shuga Mashariki – Annette Shadeya
Best TV Director
Kash Money – Grace Kahaki and Philippe Bresson
Big Girl Small World – Nick Mutuma
Subterranea – Likarion Wainaina
MTV Shuga Mashariki – Likarion Wainaina and team
Paa – Carol Odongo
Single Kiasi – Grace Kahaki and Philippe Bresson
The Chocolate Empire – Grace Kahaki and Philippe Bresson
Lazizi – June Ndinya Aaqib and team
Mo-Faya – Reuben Odanga
Best Student Film
Dinner for Three – Brian Kabogozza and Sihnemariam Abebe
Dumpside Guardian – Kadii Lucy
Ifikie Governor – Seda Nigel
Spin to Loose – Kevin Karanja Makono
Own Goal – Kerry Awiti
Best Documentary by a Student
Deafenately Heard – Samuel Ochieng
The Inkidongi – Muthoni R Gathigia
People’s Choice Award – Feature Film
Nawi – Brizan Were
The Dog – Appie Matere
Sketchy Africans – Vincent Mbaya and Sally Nyoike
Safari – Reuben Odanga
S.he Gets Me – Millicent Ogutu
Makosa Ni Yangu – Denise Kibisu-Ngibuini
2 Asunder – Fakii Liwali and Betty Mutua
Cards on the Table – Shirleen Wangari
Boda Love – Janet Wells and Nina Ruiz
Family Vacation – Sarah Hassan
People’s Choice Award – TV Drama
Kash Money – Grace Kahaki
MTV Shuga Mashariki – Kevin Njue
Big Girl Small World – Nicholas Munene Mutuma
Single Kiasi – Grace Kahaki
Prefects – June Ndinya Aaqib
Subterranea – Brian Munene
The Chocolate Empire – Grace Kahaki
Paa – Audrey Tanta
Adam to Eve – Alexandors Konstantaras
Mo-Faya – Reuben Odanga
The Kalasha International Film and TV Awards 2026 nominees reflect an industry that is expanding in both scale and ambition. The introduction of content creator categories shows a clear shift toward inclusivity and recognition of digital innovation. With strong participation, improved production quality, and growing global potential, Kenyan storytelling continues to gain momentum. The awards not only celebrate excellence but also push the industry to evolve and compete on a global stage. As the gala approaches on May 2, the spotlight will remain on the creatives shaping the future of African storytelling.