Award-winning filmmaker Abel Mutua and his PhilIt Production team dominated Kalasha Awards after winning six out of the 12 awards.
Mutua, business partner Phillip Karanja and the PhilIt team won Best Viewers Choice Award (Feature Film) through Click Click Bang.
The award for Best Lead Actor in a TV Drama (male) went to Joe Kinyua aka Njoro wa Uba, while singer and actress Sanaipei Tande won the Best Lead actress award for her role in Kina.
Officiating the gala event, Kenya Film Commission CEO Timothy Owase expressed confidence that the industry is on track in getting global recognition.
This, he said, was as a result of the vibrancy and commitment shown by content creators and industry players. “The submissions we received this year has shown how much commitment and effort industry players are putting to ensure it remains steadfast,” he said.
“Interestingly, the number of submitted films for the 12th Edition of Kalasha Awards went up to 217 compared to 149 that were submitted in 2021. The additional 68 films show the hard work and extra effort the industry has put with regards to content creation.”
The 12th Edition of Kalasha awards was graced by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba.
Ababu said his ministry aims at promoting rich cultural values in the local and international fraternity through film.
“As a ministry, film is one area we are keen on since it is a powerful medium that can be used in transmitting different ideologies and preserving cultural values.”
Ababu added that the love for films unites people across Kenya.
“Film expresses the social, political, economic, and cultural ethos of the society in which it is produced.”
“Even as we plan to restructure the film industry, we need to ask ourselves how much revenue is the industry generating, how much investment does it attract, and are we attracting and developing the next generation of passionate, visionary, skilled storytellers and producers?”
KFC Board representative Kibaara Kaugi said films produced in Kenya are now getting international recognition such as the Oscars and that the commission has established the Kenya Oscars selection committee as per the Oscars guidelines.
Other dignitaries who attended the event were Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, The First daughter of Kenya and Zimbabwe, Charlene Ruto and Miss Tariro.
