2019 Kalasha Awards winners receive Ksh.1.7 million cash prize

The Kenya Film Commission (KFC), in what is probably a first in history, presented winners of the 9th Kalasha International Film and TV Awards with cash prizes totaling Ksh.1.750,000.

The event, held at a top Nairobi hotel on Wednesday, saw 35 winners from various categories take home Ksh.50,000 each; the winners had previously been feted during the actual Kalasha Awards ceremony on November 30.

Some of the notable awardees who were present included Pascal Tokodi (Best Lead Actor in a TV drama – Selina), Sarah Hassan (Best Lead Actress in Film – Plan B) and George Mo (Best Lead Actor in Film – Lost in Time).

Speaking to Citizen Digital on the sidelines of the event, Tokodi recognised the commission’s efforts in reviving the industry in Kenya.

“I remember when I was in school, we had many creative guys but the talents went wasted. We need to grow this industry such that people can make a living out of it,” he said.

“I once almost gave up on becoming an actor because of the state in which the industry was but the current leadership is coming up with good measures and there is hope for the industry to grow.”

Voted the Best Sound Designer for his work in the film ‘Lost in Time’, Karanja Kiarie could not hide his joy, stating that that was his first ever award.

“My journey has been about 5-6 years in the industry and this is the first time I have won an award. I am so grateful and I think that as the film industry in Kenya, we are starting on a new wonderful journey based on the incentives KFC is coming up with,” said Karanja.

The ceremony was presided over by KFC Chief Executive Officer Timothy Owase who said: “Our role is to create a vibrant film industry in Kenya and Kalasha is one of our key projects where we celebrate the winners of various categories in the film industry.”

He added: “The main purpose of Kalasha is to provide an energy boost so that we create quality content in our films in the country and also to improve the levels of stories that we tell and that is why we must celebrate together with those that do this.”

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, who was also present at the event, on his part thanked the commission for their efforts in growing the Kenyan film industry.

“Let people produce films that people are dying to go to the theater and see, not only in Kenya but also in other countries,” he said.

“We need to write stories that have a human touch, action stories that are going beyond the normal ‘Tujuane’ Kenyan stories so that we can be able to go international because I believe that we have the talents, we have brilliant producers and we just need to write brilliant scripts and make money out of it.”

Below is the complete list of winners as feted on November 30:

1. Lead Actor in Film – George Mo – Lost in Time
2. Lead Actress in Film – Sarah Hassan – Plan B
3. Supporting Actor in a Film – Ibrahim Muchemi– Mara ya Fao
4. Supporting Actress in a Film – Neomi Ng’ang’a – You Again
5. Best Sound Designer – Karanja Kiarie – Lost in Time
6. Best Original Score – Cathy Matete – What’s on your mind?
7. Best Editor – John Oyamo/Kenji Gatheca – The Whistle Blower
8. Best Lighting Technician – Walter Odhiambo – Plan B
9. Best Special Effects – Willis Wanyiri – Kitambo
10. Best Director of Photography –Abdi Shuria – The Whistle Blower
11. Best Feature Film – Lost in Time
12. Best Original Screen Play – Edijoe Mwaniki – Lost in Time
13. Best Documentary – Uncensored Mtaani: My Cancer Story
14. Best Short film – The Whistle Blower
15. Best Student Short Film – Unbalanced
16. Best Local Language – Jonarobi
17. Best Production Design – Ensulo
18. Best Director – Peter Kawa -Lost in Time
19. Lead Actor in a TV drama – Pascal Tokodi – Selina
20. Lead Actress in a TV drama – Nyce Wanjeri – Ithaga Riene
21. Best Performance in a TV Comedy – Kazungu Fahamu– Nyanya Rukia
22. Best Host in a TV show – Amina Rabar – The Turn Up
23. Best TV Documentary – Disappearing Spots
24. Best TV Drama – Selina
25. Best TV Advert – Acnes Creamy Wash “The Selfie”
26. Best TV Reality – Our Perfect Wedding
27. Best Student Feature – Jiji- Kenyatta University
28. Best Animation Production – The XYZ Show
29. Best Documentary by a Student – This is Us – Kenya Film School
30. Best TV Comedy – Nyanya Rukia
31. Best Diaspora Production – Excuse, Pardon my Manners
32. Lifetime Achievement – Francis Ouma
33. Kituo Halisi – KU TV
34. Best Video Game – Mzito- George Odongo Ahere
35. Best Africa E-sports Championship Show – Kenya Nationals – Josephat Keya