The Kenya Film Commission has unveiled the nominees for the 13th Kalasha Awards.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 30, with a myriad of week-long festival activities leading up to the gala dinner at the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC).
At the announcement, KFC CEO Timothy Owase said, “The Kalasha Awards remain a cornerstone in recognizing and celebrating exceptional talent within our industry.”
Here is the full list of 2024 nominees.
Best Lead Actor In A Film
- Dr. Edwin Nyutho as Libabu in ‘Half Open Window’
- Patrick Owino as Mzee Thabiti in ‘Mvera’
- Pascal Tokodi as Melita in ‘A Familiar Christmas’
- Emmanuel Mugo as Makena in ‘Itifaki’
- Godwill Odhiambo as Dennis in ‘Where the River Divides’
Best Lead Actress In A Film
- Lina Sande in ‘Mvera’
- Nice Githinji as Koki Mandla in ‘The Caller’
- Maureen Kunga as Noni in ‘A Familiar Christmas’
- Mwixx Mutinda as Juliana in ‘Act of Love’
- Shandra Daisy Apondi as Mary in ‘Where the River Divides’
Best Supporting Actor In A Film
- Samson Omondi as Adili in ‘Half Open Window’
- Jack (Hulk Shira) Mutinda as Agent John in ‘Itifaki’
- Benjamin Onyango as Okoth in ‘Where the River Divides’
- Michael Oluoch as Jawinaam in ‘Agonda’
- Frank Ogutu as Otile in ‘Tembe’
Best Supporting Actress In A Film
- Wangui Muiruri as Imani in ‘Half Open Window’
- Kibibi Salim as Saumu in ‘Mvera’
- Brenda Mwai as Milly Chanya in ‘The Caller’
- Ruth Kamanzi as Immaculate in ‘A Familiar Christmas’
- Ann Muli as Koki in ‘Murder Camp’
Best Editor
- Hannah Wangari for ‘A Familiar Christmas’
- Koome Mwirebua for ‘Act of Love’
- Omar Hamza for ‘Itifaki’
- MD Neely– Derek Hammeke for ‘Where the River Divides’
- Steve Biko for ‘Murdered for Love’
Best Lighting Technician
- Jordan Danelz for ‘Where the River Divides’
- Joseph Churu for ‘Act of Love’
- Jethro Omusieni for ‘Half Open Window’
- Gregory Kiwo for ‘A Familiar Christmas’
- Abdallah Salim for ‘Mvera’
Best Special Effects
- Jirongo Luyali for ‘The War Within’
- Omar Hamza for ‘Itifaki’
- David Jalenga for ‘Where the River Divides’
- Gladys Njeri for ‘Bazenga’
- B. Maina Wanjohi for ‘Mvera’
Best Director Of Photography
- Daudi Anguka for ‘Mvera’
- Andrew Bradford for ‘Where the River Divides’
- Joel Ingo for ‘Venom – Beyond the Bite’
- Elijah Kanyi for ‘Murdered for Love’
- Jim Bishop for ‘Half Open Window’
Best Short Film
- ‘Hell or High Water’ by Njuguna Nganga
- ‘Itifaki’ by June Wairego
- ‘Where the River Divides’ by Matrid Nyaga
- ‘Bazenga’ by Jacktone Munala
- ‘Act of Love’ by Shirleen Wangari
Best Documentary Feature
- ‘Limo on the Run’ by Njoki Muhoho
- ‘The Heartbreak Documentary’ by Dennis Ochieng
- ‘Murdered for Love’ by John Allan Namu
- ‘Death of a Kenyan Heiress – The Last Door’ by John Allan Namu
- ‘Rajo’ by Peter Nolon
Best Documentary Short
- ‘Embracing Brilliance’ by Samuel Oduor
- ‘Venom – Beyond the Bite’ by Maurice Oniango
- ‘Kiw’u – Thirst for Survival’ by Michael Mulwa
- ‘Coffee Production Documentary’ by DEKUT- KFC Film Hub
- ‘The Pink Champions’ by Omar Kibulanga
Best Make-Up And Hair Stylist
- Eva Waitherero for ‘Act of Love’
- Fatma Muhidin Kayla for ‘Mvera’
- Classford Saul for ‘A Familiar Christmas’
- Njeri Gatheru for ‘Where the River Divides’
- Purity Makandi for ‘Half Open Window’
Best Production Designer
- Horace Onyango for ‘Mvera’
- Richie Mulama for ‘Act of Love’
- Nancy Aluoch for ‘Where the River Divides’
- June Ndinya for ‘A Familiar Christmas’
- Catherine Muema for ‘Murdered for Love’
Best Sound Designer
- Felix Mwema for ‘Instant Dad’
- Mbaru Patrick for ‘Act of Love’
- Omar Hamza for ‘Itifaki’
- Zak DeVries for ‘Where the River Divides’
- Mercy Adundo for ‘Venom – Beyond the Bite’
Best Feature Film
- ‘Half Open Window’ by Margaret Wacera
- ‘Mvera’ by Daudi Anguka
- ‘An Instant Dad’ by Jennifer Gatero
- ‘A Familiar Christmas’ by Reuben Odang
- ‘Mono’ by Joyce Gachanja
Best Original Screenplay
- Matt Black for ‘Where the River Divides’
- Brian Munene for ‘The Caller’
- Voline Ogutu for ‘Mvera’
- Teddy Gitau for ‘Half Open Window’
- Gathoni Kamau for ‘Murder Camp’
Best Original Score
- Alex Mugenda for ‘Mvera’
- Israel Brandon for ‘An Instant Dad’
- Lucas McNally for ‘Act of Love’
- Kyle McCuiston for ‘Where the River Divides’
- Ladbi Ommes for ‘Agonda’
Best Costume Designer
- Eddah Wakesho for ‘Where the River Divides’
- Michael Nzioki Mbithi for ‘A Very Merry Xmass’
- Joy Dena for ‘Mvera’
- Vivian Njeri for ‘Act of Love’
- Aisha Muthoni for ‘Bazenga’
Best Director
- Omar Hamza for ‘Half Open Window’
- Daudi Anguka for ‘Mvera’
- MD Neely for ‘Where the River Divides’
- Elijah Kanyi for ‘Death of a Kenyan Heiress’
- Eric M. Mwangi for ‘Act of Love’
Best Regional Film
- ‘Wife for Hire’ by Robin Odongo
- ‘The Whole Nine Yards’ by Victor ‘Viboks’ Omondi
- ‘Barua la Uhamisho’ by Rodgers Maithya Mulatya
- ‘Two Let’ by Nduruka Njoroge
- ‘5 Jane and the Fried Chicken’ by Peterson Kariuki
Best Lead Actor In A TV Drama
- Blessing Lunga’ho as Dominic in ‘Igiza’
- Jimmi Gathu as Tandala in ‘Kina’
- Charles Ouda as Melchizedek Karani in ‘Salem’
- Isaboke Nyakundi as Elijah in ‘Shamba la Wanyama’
- Sele Mzamil as Kisasi in ‘Sanura’
Best Lead Actress In A TV Drama
- Serah Ndanu Teshna as Linda/Nicole in ‘Igiza’
- Sanaipei Tande as Nana Tandala in ‘Kina’
- Faith Kibathi as Rebecca in ‘Single Kiasi’
- Ivy Wanjiku as Sanura in ‘Sanura’
- Sarah Hassan as Nina in ‘Zari’
Best Supporting Actress In A TV Drama
- Sophie Reuben as Safira in ‘Pete’
- Aisha Said as Nyashee in ‘Sanura’
- Brenda Wairimu as Lola in ‘Zari’
- JulieBrenda Nyambura as Bella Mwakazi in ‘Kina’
- Caroline Muhugu as Wanja in ‘Kasiri’
Best TV Advertisement
- ‘Melano CC’ by Amit Ramrakha
- ‘Nip Nap TVC’ by Caroline Wambui
- ‘APA Moments of Past Disasters’ by Abu Melita
Best Performance In A TV Comedy
- Ruth Nyambura in ‘Comedy Riot’
- Abel Mutua in ‘Roast House’
- Kevin Kasyoki in ‘Kam u Stay’
Best TV Show
- ‘#Twende Modogashe’ by Margaret Wanjiku
- ‘This Love+1’ by Eugene Mbugua
- ‘Our Perfect Wedding S16 Show’ by Eugene Mbugua
- ‘Best of Show’ by Eugene Mbugua
- ‘The Real Housewives of Nairobi – S1’ by Eugene Mbugua
Best Supporting Actor In A TV Drama
- Ojiambo Ainea as Musa in ‘Igiza’
- Ndungi Githuku as Serro in ‘Kina’
- Michael Munyoki as Eric in ‘Single Kiasi’
- Mike Makori as Lwanda in ‘Zari’
- Jeff Omondi Opondo as Sanchez in ‘Becky’
Best TV Drama
- ‘Igiza’ by Abdulkadir Abdullahi
- ‘Pepeta’ by James Kombo
- ‘Single Kiasi’ by Grace Kahaki
- ‘Zari’ by Khadija Hassan
- ‘Kina Season 4’ by Appie Matere
Best TV Comedy
- ‘Kam u Stay’ by Damaris Irungu
- ‘Roast House’ by Caroline Wambui
- ‘Comedy Riot’ by Caroline Wambui
Best Animation
- ‘Kito and Chacha’ by Ebby Productions
- ‘Death Valley’ by Stephen Kennedy Kyalo
- ‘Blood Thirst’ by Luigi Sanya Ososo
- ‘Mara Cry for Rain’ by John Irimu
- ‘The Shepherd’ by Maureen Mureithi
Best Student Film
- ‘Full Time Husband’ by MultiChoice Talent Factory
- ‘Somewhere in Kole’ by MultiChoice Talent Factory
- ‘Hex Appeal’ by USIU Africa
- ‘God Forbid’ by Africa Digital Media Institute Film Aid Kenya
- ‘Untold’
Best Kids Production
- ‘Ndemwa M’ by Michael Mutahi
- ‘Preschool Kids’ Learning’ by Ruth Muriithi
- ‘Lets Dance’ by Luigi Sanya Ososo
- ‘Storytime with Zuri, Jasiri and Toto’ by Brian Apanja
- ‘Sikicho’s Long Day’ by Darren Collins
Best Viewers Choice (Feature)
- ‘Half Open Window’ by Margaret Wacera
- ‘Mvera’ by Daudi Anguka
- ‘An Instant Dad’ by Jennifer Gatero
- ‘A Familiar Christmas’ by Reuben Odanga
- ‘Mono’ by Joyce Gachanja
Best International Award
- ‘Heroic Bodies’ by Sara Suliman- Sudan
- ‘The Midnight Bride’ by Doreen R. Kilimbe- Tanzania
- ‘Unheard’ by Polly Kamukala- Uganda
- ‘Love Transfusion (Kiapo Cha Damu)’ by Kefa Hussein Igilo- Tanzania
- ‘My Woman’ by Brenda Malemba- Tanzania
Best Documentary By A Student
- ‘Art on the Skin’ by Kenya Film School
- ‘Treasure Beneath the Mangrove’ by Kenya Film School
- ‘In the Language of Our Mothers’ by Film Aid Kenya
- ‘Echoes of Home’ by Film Aid Kenya
- ‘Is It Because I’m a Girl’ by Film Aid Kenya
Best Viewers Choice (TV Drama)
- ‘Igiza’ by Abdulkadir Abdullahi
- ‘Pepeta’ by James Kombo
- ‘Single Kiasi’ by Grace Kahaki
- ‘Zari’ by Khadija Hassan
- ‘Kina Season 4’ by Appie Matere
Best Viewers Choice (Feature)
- ‘Half Open Window’ by Margaret Wacera
- ‘Mvera’ by Daudi Anguka
- ‘An Instant Dad’ by Jennifer Gatero
- ‘A Familiar Christmas’ by Reuben Odanga
- ‘Mono’ by Joyce Gachanja
