The Kenya Film Commission received for its consideration 237 films this year, which is the highest number of films ever submitted for Kalasha Awards since its inception. This year, the Kalasha International has deviated from tradition by splitting into three separate events, the Kalasha International Film Festival is set to run from 4th – 8th December 2017, the Kalasha Awards Gala taking place on 9th December and the Kalasha Market set for some time in March 2018.
The nominations paint a very interesting picture of the Kenyan film scene with the emergence and total domination of a new crop of artists and art forms. Leading the nominations list is the One Fine Day break-away hit KATI KATI which has so far racked up an impressive 12 nominations with personal nods for the film’s stars Elsaphan Njora and Nyokabi Gethaiga.
The DSTV series Sue and Jonnie have held up its own in the TV category with three nominations- two for its leads Catherine Kamau and Martin Githinji.
Here is the full list of the 2017 Kalasha Awards Nominees:
Best Comedy
- Arnold and Bundi
- Waliobaki
- Urembo
- Hullaballoo Estate
Best Performance In A Comedy
- Jela 5 star – Bilal Wanjau
- Mshamba – James Chanji
- Waliobaki – Fevan Abraham
- Junior – Jamal Nasoor
Best TV Host
- Teddy Muthusi – Lion’s Den
- Neomi Ng’ang’a – Sema Nami
- Keff Joinange – XYZ SHOW
- Mary Mwikali – Life & Style
Best TV Drama
- New Beginnings
- Sue & Jonnie
- Keru
- Maza
Best Actor In A TV Drama
- Sue & Jonnie – Marting Githinji
- Tumaini senta – Maina Olwenya
- New Beginnings – Joed Kariuki
- Mama Duka – Alan Weku
Best Actress In A TV Drama
- Sue & Johnie – Catherine Kamau
- Tumaini senta – Nice Githinji
- Mama duka – Ruth Ndulu Maingi
- La Msingi – Mary Khavere
Best Documentary
- Sound Man
- Imara
- The Last Maasai
- Lukembe
Best Feature By A Student
- Dilemma
- Anti – Riots
- Detox
- Tangled Web
Best TV Commercial Overall
- Faiba
- Betin
- Mkulima
- Wafula
Best Short Film
- Uyu Ni Mwarigwo
- Chebet
- Kaleidoscope
- Lina
Best TV Documentary
- Story Yangu
- Matwana Matatu Culture
- Eco @ Africa
- The Entrepreneur
Best Diaspora Film
- Luna
- The Call For Life
- Tell It On The Mountain
- Born This Way
Best Animation
- Ma-Otero
- XYZ Show
- Tear Gas Oketch
- Machismo
Best Feature Film
- Kati Kati
- Aisha
- Inherited
- Kidnapped
Best Original Screenplay
- KatiKati – Mbithi Masya & Mugambi Nthiga
- Aisha – Arnold Mwanjila
- Kidnapped- Serah Mwihaki
- Inherited – Mona Ombogo
Best Director
- Kati Kati – Mbithi Masya
- Aisha – Arnold Mwanjila
- Kidnapped – Nick Njache
- Inherited – Grace Kahaki
Best Director Of Photography
- Kati Kati – Andrew Mungai
- Inherited – Phillippe Bresson
- Kidnapped – Wambui Muigai / Likarion Wainaina
- Wakwe – Lucky Collins
Best Lighting Technician
- Aisha – Joseph Gathogo
- KatiKati – Siobhan Wilson
- Wakwe – Kevin Mutua
- Chozi – Bosco Mkindi Soup
Best Editor
- Kati Kati – Louiza Wanjiku
- Kidnapped – Nick Njache
- Wakwe – Hamad Kamole
- Joni – Rodrick Ngatia / Emmanuel Otieno
Best Special Effects
- Kati Kati
Best Sound Design
- Kidnapped – Eric Musyoka
- Kati Kati – Florian Holzner
- Chozi – Alex Mugenda
- Wakwe – Khamisi Mohammed
Best Production Designer
- Aisha – Emmanuel Murabu
- KatiKati – Emmanuel Murabu
- Inherited – Grace Kahaki
- Wakwe – Shadrack Mwabuni
Best Actor
- Kati Kati – Elsaphan Njora
- Wakwe – Ayub Bakari
- Uyu Ni Mwarigwo – Frank Kimani
- Pendo – Maina Olwenya
Best Actress
- Kati Kati – Nyokabi Gethaiga
- Aisha – Joyce Maina
- Chebet – Anita Nthenya Kavuu Ng’ang’a
- Kaleidoscope – Melisa Kiplangat
Best Supporting Actor
- Aisha– Patrick Gatimu
- Kidnapped-Gilbert Lukalia
- Kati Kati – Paul Ogola
- Maria – Anthony Ndung’u
Best Supporting Actress
- Uyu Ni Mwarigwo – Wanjiku Njoroge
- Lina – Mumbi Maina
- Maria – Mercy Wanjiru
- Bait – Millicent Ogutu
Best East African Film
- Maria
- Breaking With Customs
- Kati Kati
- Kidnapped
Best Documentary By A Student
- Okola
- Gifted Soul
- Unknown Language
- The Paradox Of Child Delivery
Best Local Language
- Uyu Ni Mwarigwo
- Pendo
- Torture
- Gun Point
