The 2014 Kalasha Film and TV Awards Nominees Unveiled

The 5th Edition of the Kalasha TV and Film Awards list of nominees from the 33 featured categories is out and the competition is stiff. The 2014 nominees have been unveiled by the Kenya film Commission (KFC). The 2014 Nomination Academy who hand-picked the nominees comprised of:

• Mr. Eston Munyi of Kenya National Film Association (KNFA) and Chairman of the Academy,
• Simon Mwaura of Riverwood Ensemble (Formerly Third Force),
• Patrick Serro of Actors Guild,
• Dr. Simon Peter Otieno of Association of Film Producing Education Institutions of Kenya (AFPEIK),
• Ms. Fauziah Hussein of the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB),
• Edward Irura of the Kenya film and Television Professionals Association (KFTPA)
• Victoria Goro of the Department of Film Services (DFS)

This year’s awards attracted 713 entries which was an impressive feat if compared to the 197 received last year. The categories include new categories such as the UP Best Mobile Film and Best High School Feature. The public gets to participate with 30% of the awards nomination being decided by the public voting in. The categories are:

• Best Feature Film,
• Best Short Film,
• Best Documentary,
• Best Actor in a Film,
• Best Actress in a Film,
• Best TV show,
• Best host in a TV show,
• Best TV drama,
• Best TV comedy,
• Best Actor in a TV drama,
• Best Actress in a TV drama.

The films will be screened between June 10th to July 11th giving you a month to vote, vote and vote some more! The following towns/venues have been confirmed to screen the submissions:

Nairobi- Alliance Francaise, USIU, Kibera Youth,

Kisumu- Alliance Francaise,

Mombasa- Alliance Francaise,

Kericho.

This is part of KFC’s plan to launch “County Film Screening Initiative” that will see the development of a screen culture and put to use the social halls available in each county resulting in monthly film screenings run by the institution. The Kalasha Film & TV Awards have been designed to allow Kenyans to celebrate their cultural diversity through film and to recognize the role of film in economic sustainability. The Awards seek to challenge local filmmakers, towards quality film productions. The Commission specifically promotes the production of local content and the expansion of local audience.

Here are some of the interesting nominations that caught our eye.

Best Scriptwriter in Original Screenplay Award

• Strength of a Woman
• Simiyu Samurai 2
• Painful prick
• House of Lungula
• The Marshall of Finland
• Guilt of Kindness

Best TV Comedy Award

• Churchill show
• Churchill Raw
• Classmates
• Vioja Mahakamani
• Vitimbi

Best TV Drama Award

• Housemates
• Sumu La Penzi
• Groove Theory
• Saida
• Mali

Best Lead Actor Award

• Telly Savalas in The Marshal of Finland
• Ryan Mbatia in Simiyu Samurai 2
• Peter King Mwania in Ni Sisi
• Gerald Langiri in House of Lungula
• Moori Njogu in Tamed
• Wilfred Olwenya Maina in Painful Prick

Best Lead Actress Award

• Rose Njoroge in Strength of a Woman
• Cindy Kahura in Burnt Forest
• Jacky Vike in Ni Sisi
• Edna Daisy in Chastity
• Nicole Kwamboka in Maya

Best Director of Photography Award

• Kenji Gathecha in Kenji
• Manasseh M. Chege in Strength of a Woman
• Zippy Kimundu in Burnt Forest
• Bruce Makau in My Faith
• Mwendwa Mutua in Tamed
• John Wambugu in House of Lungula

Vote and spread the word. Support the growth of the Kenyan film industry. Visit their website for more info, and film screenings schedule.