The 9th edition of the prestigious Kalasha Awards, an annual Kenyan TV and movie awards, was held at Safari Park Hotel where 2019 winners were honoured.
This edition co-hosted by the Kenya Film Commission and the digital Television Company, StarTimes received 959 entries in the 34 categories that were up for voting. This was the first-ever edition to give monetary gifts to the winners.
“We endeavor to take these awards to greater heights. We are glad that through these awards, we have encouraged our local TV stations to effect the 60% rule on local content as per government directive This resulted in the promotion of local talents and accrued benefits for different stakeholders. We are encouraged by East Africa’s level of innovation and creativity. All we have to do is believe in ourselves as we compete at international arenas,” said KFC chief executive Timothy Owase.
“As I join you here for the 2019 edition of the Kalasha Film and TV Awards, I am amazed by the glamour I see here tonight, obviously an improvement of last year. With much gratitude, I take this opportunity to recognise the organisers and the sponsors for supporting this event,” said ICT and Innovation Principal Secretary Jerome Ochieng.
Kenya’s only 100% local content channel, Maisha Magic East (MME), emerged the biggest winner of the night receiving 5 awards.
Among the winning shows were Selina, which scooped the Best TV Drama award while Pascal Tokodi, the leading male actor in the show Selina won the Best Lead Actor in a TV Drama award. Nyanya Rukia was top in the Best TV Comedy category, Our Perfect Wedding won the Best TV Reality Show award while Amina Abdi Rabar of the Turn Up show walked away with the Best Host in a TV show.
Below is the list of the 2019 winners:
Best Feature Film: Lost In Time – Edijoe Mwaniki
Best Original Score: Cathy Matete – What’s On Your Mind
Best Short Film: The Whistle Blower – Beatrice Wangondu
Best Lighting Technician: Plan B – Walter Odhiambo
Best Original Screenplay: Lost In Time – Edijoe Mwaniki
Best Special Effects: Kitambo- Willis Wanyiri
Best Director of Photography: The Whistle Blower – Abdi Shuria
Best Documentary: My Cancer Story – Uncensored Mtaani – Elijah Kanyi, Africa Uncensored
We won The Best Documentary. Uncensored Mtaani, My Cancer Story. Thanks to team @AfUncensored @johnallannamu @KalashaKenya @Sauti_Tv @Koome_mwirebua @petemurimi @bonifacemwangi #MadeInMathare #UncensoredMtaani #YourVoice pic.twitter.com/AnnGVsAdOf
— Elijah Kanyi (@ElijahKanyi) November 30, 2019
Best Sound Designer: Lost In Time – Karanja Kiarie
Best Local Language Film: Jonarobi – Robin Odongo
Best Editor: The Whistle Blower – John Onyamo & Kenji Gathecha-
Best Production Designer: Ensulo – Tecla Joan, Shila Gathoni, Wilson Nya, Sarah Kimario
Best Director: Lost In Time – Peter Kawa
Best Lead Actor In Film: Lost in Time – George Mo
Best Supporting Actor In Film: Mara Ya Fao – Ibrahim Muchemi
Best Lead Actress In Film: Plan B – Sarah Hassan
Best Supporting Actress In Film: You Again – Neomi Ng’ang’a
Best TV Advertisement: The Selfie – Acnes Creamy Wash
Best TV Comedy: Nyanya Rukia – Maisha Magic
Best TV Drama: Selina- Maisha Magic
Best TV Documentary Show: Disappearing Spots
Best Host in TV Show: The Turn Up – Amina Abdi Rabar
Best Performance in a TV Comedy: Nyanya Rukia – Kazungu Fahamu
Best Lead Actress in a TV Drama: Ithaga Riene – Nyce Wanjeri
Best Lead Actor in a TV Drama: Selina – Pascal Tokodi
Best TV Reality: Our Perfect Wedding – Maisha Magic
Best E-Sport: Africa E-Sports Championship- Kenya Nationals
Special Awards
Best Diaspora Production: Pardon, Excuse My Manners- Saitabao Kaiyare
Best Student Short Film: Unbalanced- Kevin Osoo, USIU
https://twitter.com/USIUAfrica/status/1200861920980373504?s=20
Best Film Feature by a Student: Jiji- James Mwangi Mugo, Kenyatta University
Best Documentary by a Student: This Is Us (Shirazi) – Victoria Goro
Best Animation Production: XYZ Show- King Muriuki
Best Gaming: Mzito- George Odongo
Kituo Halisi: KU TV Kenya
Lifetime Achievement Award: Francis Ouma
