Kenya Film Commission has today unveiled the nominees for the 9th edition of Kalasha Film and TV Awards at IMAX 20th Century Cinema. Kalasha Awards is an annual event by the Commission that celebrates exceptional talent in Film and TV industry in Kenya. The call for submission that ended on 20th October 2019 attracted 959 entries in the 34 categories that were up for competition.
An eight member nomination academy drawn from film industry associations, academics and industry professionals was tasked to select, scrutinize and nominate films for the Kalasha International TV and Film Awards 2019. The judging period kicked off from 22nd to 26th October 2019. This year, saw emergence of two new categories; Best TV Reality and Best Student Short Film.
This year’s Jury comprised; Linda Karuru – a leading producer, with over 15 years of experience in the TV & film industry, Fred Makori – a media professional with more than 10 years’ experience in TV & Film production, Dr. Racheal Diang’a – assistant Professor of Film at the USIU and the Chair of Cinematic Arts Department, Irene Mukonyoro – a producer with 15 years’ experience in TV Production, Kang’ethe Mungai – a film producer, director and script writer, Irene Kariuki – an experienced Film and Television Actress and a renowned Radio Voice over Artist with a career that has spanned 25 years, Dennis Mbuthia – a game designer and animator with over 8 years industry experience andDr. Simon Peter – a scholar in performing arts and film studies from the University of Leeds, UK and a film coordinator at the Kenya National Drama and Film committee.
The nominees’ unveil ceremony marks the launch of the public voting process which is now open setting the stage for the main award gala on Saturday 30th November 2019. The nominated films will be subjected to public voting which will constitute 30 per cent while the nomination academy’s vote will constitute 70 per cent of the total tally. The Commission has identified StarTimes ON, an online mobile application, as a strategic platform where the shortlisted films will be uploaded for viewing and public voting from 31st October 2019 ahead of the 9th edition of Kalasha TV and Film Awards.
StarTimes ON through its Pan Africa Online Film Festival (PAOFF) presents a unique platform for purposes of growing the awareness and public views of shortlisted Kalasha awards entries within and beyond the Kenyan borders while making the voting process as transparent as possible. The app will be the only online voting application for the awards where entries prepared by Kenya Film Commission will be uploaded.
See below the full list of the nominees:
Kalasha Film and TV Awards is an initiative of the Kenya Film Commission that seeks to recognize talent in the different facets of Film and TV industry. Central to the Commission’s mandate is the promotion of a vibrant local film industry. Through the establishment of a fair and democratic set of regulations for the Awards, the Commission is continuously boosting a vibrant local scene by encouraging healthy competition amongst film makers. This ensures higher levels of good practice within the industry.
