The 2026 Kalasha Film and TV Awards spotlighted Kenya’s creative sector nationwide as filmmakers, actors, and producers convened at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre on May 2. This ceremony stands as the nation’s premier celebration of cinematic and television accomplishment. It united established industry professionals with new talent defining the future of Kenyan narratives. Under the hosting of Amina Abdi Rabar and Lotan Salapei, the event showcased creative achievement and the rising quality of local works. The evening emphasized honoring outstanding performance across film, television, and digital media.
Cinematic presentations dominated the evening’s major honors, with Nawi and Sukari claiming the most significant recognition. Nawi, Kenya’s official submission for the 2025 Oscars, impressed by winning Best Feature Film and Best Lead Actress for Michelle Lemuya Ikeny. The film also earned substantial audience backing, capturing the People’s Choice Award for Feature Film. Its triumph demonstrated compelling storytelling, exceptional production values, and profound audience connection. Multiple awards established Nawi as among the year’s most notable Kenyan films.
Sukari also demonstrated remarkable success at the ceremony, challenging Nawi in key categories. The film received Best Director for Omar Hamza and Best Original Screenplay for the writing collaboration of June Wairegi and Omar Hamza. It additionally claimed Best Short Film and Best Film Score, displaying excellence in both artistic direction and technical implementation. Actor Juma Mdoe received Best Lead Actor for his performance in Sukari, while Jave Samson was honored with Best Supporting Actor. The film’s consistent recognition across multiple categories underscored its artistic vision and industry significance.
Additional productions gained substantial acknowledgment in technical and performance divisions. The Dog excelled in cinematography and production elements, taking Best Cinematographer for Andrew Mungai and Baker Karim and Best Gaffer for Walter Odhiambo. The People Shall distinguished itself through editing and documentary achievements, with Mark Maina receiving both Best Editor and Best Documentary. Memory of Princess Mumbi also achieved notable success, winning the Jury Award and Best Visual Effects. These victories revealed the extensive technical expertise supporting Kenyan cinema.
Television programming was headlined by Kash Money, which secured numerous top honors. The series captured Best TV Drama and Best TV Director, attributed to Grace Kahaki and Philippe Bresson. It also collected multiple acting accolades, featuring Best Lead Actor for John Sibi Okumu and supporting actor awards for Amara Tari and Lenana Kariba. Kash Money’s impressive performance emphasized the improving quality of Kenyan television narratives and production benchmarks. Multiple victories established it as among the year’s most impactful television dramas.
Big Girl Small World also made considerable impact in television divisions. June Njenga received Best Lead Actress in a TV Drama for her portrayal in the series. Angela Ruhinda was honored with Best TV Scriptwriter for her contributions to the program, demonstrating significant acknowledgment for writing skill. The series enriched television competition by showcasing compelling female-centered narratives and creative production. Its awards reflected the expanding range of content in Kenyan television.
MTV Shuga Mashariki maintained its popularity, capturing the People’s Choice Award for TV Drama. This victory demonstrated its ongoing appeal to younger viewers and substantial regional influence. Furthermore, various other productions received recognition in specialized areas including children’s programming, international films, animation, and student films. These categories underscored the widening reach of Kenya’s creative sector. They also offered opportunities for emerging creators and innovative narrative approaches.
Technical and artistic categories significantly contributed to honoring off-screen achievement. Sarah claimed Best Sound Design for Eric Musyoka, while Nawi – Dear Future Me received honors for costume design and production design from Viva Njeri and Erikson Kang’ethe. 2 Asunder was acknowledged for makeup artistry by John Michuki. Lore by Mary Wanjiku earned Best Animation, indicating progress in Kenya’s animation field. These divisions emphasized the critical role of technical specialists in creating superior productions.
The 2026 Kalasha Awards also acknowledged rising talent and exceptional contributions. Dinner for Three claimed Best Student Film, while The Inkidongi received Best Student Documentary. Ndemwa secured Best Children’s Production, indicating commitment to younger viewers. JIMBI captured Best International Film, demonstrating Kenya’s connection to worldwide cinema. Special recognition included John Karanja receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Edwin Wainaina being named Digital Content Creator of the Year, and Shiksha Arora honored as Positive Impact Content Creator.