The Kenya Film Commission (KFC) has officially pulled back the curtain on the nominees for the 14th edition of the Kalasha International Film and TV Awards (Kalasha Awards).
Speaking during the unveiling, KFC CEO Timothy Owase highlighted the ceremony’s role in elevating Kenya’s global creative footprint. Under the theme, “Innovating Tradition, Re-inventing Storytelling One Frame at a Time,” Owase noted that the awards continue to raise the bar for professionalism and quality.
The Commission announced that all nominees will receive a cash prize of Ksh 200,000 per category. Furthermore, acknowledging the shift in modern media consumption, the KFC has introduced two new categories specifically dedicated to digital content creators.
The 2026 selection process was rigorous, with a jury of Kenyan and international experts reviewing 185 submissions across 40 categories. According to the Chairperson of the Academy, Ledama Sempele, the submissions reflect a growing confidence in Kenyan storytelling, particularly within the Feature Film and Indigenous categories.
- Film Dominance: The critically acclaimed feature Nawi leads the pack with a staggering 15 nominations.
- TV Rivalry: In the television circuit, a three-way tie for the most nods emerged between Kash Money, MTV Shuga Mashariki, and Big Girl Small World, each securing eight nominations.
- Genre Shifts: The list signals a shift toward high-concept genres, with the sci-fi drama Subterranea earning seven nominations and the thriller The Dog picking up ten.
- Production Powerhouses: MultiChoice Kenya remains a dominant force, with its various productions earning a combined 31 nominations.
Full List of Nominees for the 2026 Kalasha Awards
| Category | Nominee & Production |
| Best Feature Film | Nawi (Brizan Were), The Dog (Appie Matere), Sketchy Africans (Vincent Mbaya & Sally Nyoike), Safari (Reuben Odanga), S.He Gets Me (Millicent Ogutu) |
| Best Short Film | Sukari (June Wairegi), Owadwa (Celine Onditi), Kanairo (Clementina Kabutha), Transaction (Wanjeri Gakuru), Ajeni (Louise Kamwangi) |
| Best Lead Actor (Film) | Juma Mdoe (Sukari), Brian Furaha (Owadwa), Joe Kinyua (S.He Gets Me), Jeff Omondi (Kanairo), Alexander Karim (The Dog), Bruce Makau (2 Asunder), Elsaphan Njora (Transaction) |
| Best Lead Actress (Film) | Mumtaz Dhulfiqar (Sukari), Michelle Lemuya (Nawi), Gachiki Gachiki (Transaction), Nyokabi Macharia (Sketchy Africans), Shandra Apondi (Memory of Princess Mumbi), Angela Mwandanda (S.He Gets Me), Beatrice Kamuyu (Owadwa) |
| Best TV Drama | Kash Money (Grace Kahaki), MTV Shuga Mashariki (Kevin Njue), Big Girl Small World (Nicholas Mutuma), Single Kiasi (Grace Kahaki), Prefects (June Ndinya Aaqib) |
| Best Lead Actor (TV) | John Sibi Okumu (Kash Money), Emmanuel Mugo (Big Girl Small World), Basil Mungai (MTV Shuga Mashariki), Jimmy Gathu (The Chocolate Empire), Melvin Alusa (Subterranea), Kelvin Maina (Single Kiasi), Joe Kinyua (Njoro wa Uba) |
| Best Lead Actress (TV) | June Njenga (Big Girl Small World), Mwende Kingori (Paa), Sanaipei Tande (Kash Money), Hellen Keli (Lazizi), Foi Wambui (Subterranea), Serah Wanjiru (MTV Shuga Mashariki), Minnie Kariuki (Single Kiasi) |
| Best Director | Omar Hamza (Sukari), Mark Maina (The People Shall), Shandra Apondi (Owadwa), Toby/Kevin Schmutzler & team (Nawi), Wanjeri Gakuru (Transaction), Cecimercy Wanza (Kanairo), Baker Karim (The Dog), Damien Hauser (Memory of Princess Mumbi) |
| Best Supporting Actor (Film) | Jave Samson (Sukari), Derrick Agwingi (Owadwa), Morris Mwangi (Sketchy Africans), Kevin “K1” Maina (2 Asunder), Blessing Lung’aho (Ajeni), Fish Chege (Transaction) |
| Best Supporting Actress (Film) | Ivy Collette (Owadwa), Sanaipei Tande (2 Asunder), Brenda Michelle (Makosa Ni Yangu), Kui Kabana (Bella Is Dying Maybe Next Week), Caroline Midimo (The Dog), Michelle Tiren (Nawi) |
| Best Indigenous Film | Sarah (Sarah Tenoi), Wamaitha (Kang’ethe Mungai), Ngone Mwaitu (Jackline Emali & Alfred Munyua), Matatu Master (Anton Konkin) |
| Best Animation | Lore (Mary Wanjiku), The Big Sad Nairobi (Gift Kyansimire), Kito and Chacha: The Leader (Ebby Productions) |
The awards will be the climax of the Kalasha International Film & TV Market and Festival, which will run from April 28th to May 2nd, 2026, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). As East and Central Africa’s premier screen content platform, the event serves as a vital hub for industry dialogue, policy exchange, and global collaboration.
Public voting for 18 of the categories officially opened on March 25 and will close on April 18. Vote HERE.