The 3rd edition of Women In Film Awards – WIFA ceremony took place on the evening of Wednesday, 9th March 2022 at Kenya National Theatre in Nairobi on the theme – ‘Nevertheless she persisted’.
WIFA inaugurated two years ago, is a forum that brings together Kenyan women filmmakers to interact, meet with potential financiers and get an opportunity to find partnership to address financing of films, as well as encourage them to present Kenyan culture and society through their own eyes.
Susan Gitimu, WIFA Awards director, celebrated all the nominees and winners who have done tremendous work in the film industry which has long been known to be a male dominated field.
The Chief guest, Principal Secretary (PS) State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Esther Koimett who graced the event reaffirmed government’s commitment through the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs to proactively promote women in film through Film Services Department and the national film and media training institution.
“Films with unnecessary sexual, crime, and violent content have the potential to have a bad influence on the youth. We should therefore be guided by our cultural norms and national values during the production and exhibition of film content,” she cautioned.
The Kenya Film Commission was one of the sponsors for this year’s ceremony and in attendance led by the CEO Timothy Owase. The star-studded event honored 22 women out of 100 nominees and saw many notable names walk home with awards.
Actress Catherine Kamau popularly known as Kate actress and actress Jackie Matubia were among the biggest winners of the night. Kate took home the award for the best actress in Film for her role in Nafsi and Miss Matubia took the award for best actress in a TV drama.
The following women received awards for their work in cinema throughout the 2021–2022 awards season.
- Best set designer – Nancy Aluoch Reagan
- Best costume designer- Ruth Maingi
- Best sound designer- Daisy Nduta
- Best Makeup artist- Elizabeth Gatheru
- Best Animator- Mercy Chebet
- Most Influencial Woman Personality – Dr. Anne Mungai
- Best location sound recordist- Dianah Kairu
- Best Editor- Faith Musembi
- Best Digital Content Creator- Lynn Ngugi
- Best Actress Kids Category- Angel Achieng’
- Best Cinematographer- Gash Wanjira
- Best Actress TV drama- Jackie Matubia
- Best scriptwriter TV drama- Voline Ogutu
- Best Assistant Director- Agnes Kola
- Best Newcomer Producer- Riziki Ambrose
- Best Producer Documentary- Sheila Mulinya
- Best Director TV drama- Fiddy Wambui
- BestProducer TV drama- Catherine Wamuyu
- Best script writer Film- Oprah Oyugi
- Best Actress Film- Catherine Kamau
- Best Director Film- Dr Zippy Okoth
- Best Producer Film- Dina Mwenda
WIFA strives to bring together Kenyan women filmmakers and create a forum where the diversity of women’s perspectives, stories, and innovation is recognized and appreciated.
