September 28, 2010 – It was all about celebrating cultural diversity through film at the 2nd edition of the Kalasha Film and Television awards held at the KICC on Saturday night.
The event was well attended and was complete with the usual red carpet, limousines, a mabati background…the whole shebang! – those usually expected at such events.
What made it different was the presence of Cabinet Ministers all in dress code (African attire). Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Information and Communication Minister Samuel Poghisio and his Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo, Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and PLO Lumumba were at the venue and all endorsed the continuity of awards of that ilk to help motivate Kenyans to tell their stories.
Uhuru praised broadcasters for supporting local content and said the film industry had the potential of providing Kenyan youth with employment.
Oliver Litondo, who acts as Mzee Kimani Maruge in The First Grader was honoured with the award of lifetime achievement.
Soul Boy, with the most nominations, scooped the Best Short Film while Samson Odhiambo and Billy Kahora received Best Lead Actor and Best Scriptwriter for their roles in the film that was shot entirely in Kibera.
K24 earned recognition for its role in promoting local content and their very own Jeff Koinange won the Best TV Host for his show Capital Talk.
Besides winning the best actor in a TV series, Charles Bukeko aka Papa Shirandula won the Best Comedy and Kenneth Gichoya won for Best Performance in a comedy for his portrayal of Njoro.
Wanuri Kahiu earned the title Best Director once again as Carole Gikandi Omondi won for Best Editing.
Other winners of the Kalasha 2010 include:
Film Award winners
Best Feature Film – Ndoto za Elibidi- Nick Reding
Best Local Language film– Mwanake Don’t Care
Best Documentary film – A History of Film
Supporting Actor – Geoffery Jefferson Ong’ongo- Togetherness Supreme
Lead Actress – Lucy Nyaga- Shida
Supporting Actress – Ummul Rajab- Ndoto za Elibidi
Television Award winners
Best TV Drama – Changing Times
Best Actress – Elizabeth Wanjiru Bageine- Mother in Law
Best Documentary – Headlines in History
Best Student Film– Lumbasi
Best Student Documentary -Forgotten
For the full list of winners visit: www.kalashaawards.co.ke