Strength of a Woman wins big at the Kalasha Awards

When the Kalasha Awards went down at the National Museums of Kenya, Strength of Woman prevailed to become the evening’s biggest winner.

The film went on to bag four awards at the fifth edition of the prestigious film awards that seeks to recognise stakeholders in the film industry while encouraging them to create local content.

The film produced by Pickpoint who were first timers in the industry won the most coveted Best Feature Film Award trouncing House of Lungula which had the most nominations.

While receiving the award the film writer Manasseh Chege lauded the Kalasha Academy for recognising the teams’ effort despite having worked on a limited production budget.

“We had many challenges raging from shooting at the unique location of Longonot where the weather was not conducive to working on a minimal budget and with most crew members as beginners,” he added.

The film also took home the Best Lighting Award and Best Actress Award where Rose Njoroge who acted as 16 year old Julia as a first time actress in films won.

“I thank the Academy and Manasseh Chege for believing in me. I quote my first director when I was doing set books who told me I was pathetic and couldn’t act,” said an elated Rose.

The film topped the win with a Best Original Score Award, a category where in a previous interview with Nation.co.ke Manasseh had expressed optimism of a win in. 

OTHER WINNERS

Strength of a Woman which is expected to premier in August was the flagship project for the production crew.

The other film Simiyu Samurai 2 that bagged three awards was recognised as the Best Short Film Award along with the Best Editing Award for the creativity put in the production’s editing by Justin Wachira.

Best Special Effects also went to Simiyu Samurai 2 with Robby Bresson who was in charge of the special effects was happy for the award..

“When I was a child I always wanted to do special effects in films and receiving recognition for it is truly a dream come true,” said Bresson in his acceptance speech.

In the Television Category, NTV’s "Mali", "Bebabeba" and "Churchill Raw" stole the night away bagging each one award.

TV Drama “Mali” scooped the Best Lead Actress in a TV Drama Award that was dedicated to Mkamzee Mwatela for her role as Usha.

In an earlier interview with Nation.co.ke Patricia Kihoro who was one of the nominees in this category mentioned Mkamzee as a strong contender who was likely to win the award.

George Mbuto best known as Generali in "Bebabeba" won the Best Lead Actor in a TV Drama Award.

"Churchill Raw" won the Best Stand Up Comedy Award with the producer Leonard Kitili thanking the show’s fans who have been supporting the team.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Lenny Juma who has been in the industry for long acting alongside big names in Hollywood.

Below is the full list of winners;

FILM CATEGORIES

Best Feature Film

Strength of a Woman

Best Short Film

Simiyu Samurai 2

Best Scriptwriter in original screenplay

House of Lungula

Best Director of Photography

Kenji-Robinson Ndung’u

Best Sound Mixing

Ni Sisi

Best Editing

Simiyu Samurai 2

Best Lighting

Strength of a Woman

Best Art Direction

Something Necessary

Best Special Effects

Simiyu Samurai 2

Best Original Score

Strenght of a Woman

Best Documentary

Silent Killer

Best Local Language

Ithe wa Mwana

Best Diaspora Production

Haunted Souls

Best Mobile Film

Ghost Town

Best Animation

Faiba

Best Lead Actor

Telly Savalas - The Marshall ofFinland

Best Supporting Actor

Claude Judah - Distant Boat

Best Lead Actress

Rose Njoroge - Strength of a Woman

Best Supporting Actress

Jacky Kaboi - Tamed

TELEVISION CATEGORY

Best TV Drama

Saida

Best TV Show

Tales from the Bush Larder

Best TV Documentary

Shamba Shape Up

Best Stand Up Comedy

Churchill Raw

Best Performance in a comedy

Nancy Nyambura

Best Host in a TV Show

Naomi Kamau and Tony Njuguna –Shamba Shape Up

Best Lead Actor in a TV Drama

George Mbuto- Bebabeba

Best Supporting Actor in a TV Drama

Gerald Langiri - Stay 

Best Lead Actress in a TV Drama

Mkamzee Mwatela - Mali

Best Supporting Actress in a TV Drama

Amalie Chopeta – Saida

Special Awards

Kituo Halisi – Citizen TV

Lifetime Achievement – Lenny Juma

Best Watershed Compliant Station – GBS