Kalasha Awards 2017: Kati Kati wins big

Mbithi Masya’s Kati Kati (currently available for streaming on Showmax) is the gift that keeps giving. After generating Oscar buzz a few months ago, Kati Kati has won big at the 2017 Kalasha International Film and TV Awards held on Saturday, 9 December at Crowne Plaza in Nairobi.

Kati Kati, the biggest winner of the night, bagged six awards including the precious Best Feature film, Best Director, Best Director of Photography (Andrew Mungai), Best Editor (Louiza Wanjiku), Best Special Effects and Best Sound Design (Florian Holzner). Watch now »

Mbithi, who was not present at the gala event, expressed his excitement in absentia after winning Best Director.

“I am grateful for the Kenyan film fraternity for this award. This is a pat on the back and a push-forward for not just me but for everyone who worked on this film. Our amazing production team at One Fine Day Films and Ginger Ink Films and to the amazing cast and crew, this movie exists because of you. And to my co-writing partner Mugambi Nthiga, who knew our thoughts would travel this far.”

Mbithi also lauded the women filmmakers in Kenya who have shaped the film industry through the years such as Wanjiru Kinyanjui, Njeri Karago, Judy Kibinge (Something Necessary), Wanuri Kahiu, Serah Mwihaki (Nairobi Half Life, writer)and Hawa Essuman (Soul Boy). Watch now »

Another winning show currently available for streaming on Showmax was the political satire XYZ Show which won Best Animation. Watch now »

And Aisha won the awards for Best Lighting Technician (Joseph Gathogo) and Best Production Designer (Emmanuel Murabu). Watch now »

Congratulations are in order to the other winners of the night and also to the titles that made it to the nomination list like New Beginnings, Tumaini Senta, Inherited and Wakwe. Watch these 2017 Kalasha nominees on Showmax. Watch now »

True to its commitment in supporting and promoting local content in Kenya, and in Africa as a whole, here are past winners currently available on Showmax for you to watch anytime you feel like it.

Winners of 2014 Kalasha Awards on Showmax

• Best Scriptwriter in Original Screenplay – House of Lungula.

This risqué Kenyan comedy depicts the lives of ordinary Kenyans and how they tackle their sexual encounters, from the underpaid employee Harrison who needs money to pay for his dowry (played by Gerald Langiri) to the rich womaniser Mr. Taylor (Ian Mbugua), who can’t keep his eyes off younger women. Other cast members include How to Find a Husband alums Lizz Njagah Konstantaras, Sarah Hassan and Lenana Kariba. Watch now »

• Best Sound Mixing – Ni Sisi

Ni Sisi tells the story of a multi-tribal Kenyan village whose harmonious existence is threatened by rumours and mistrust after the post-election violence and are forced to work together and resolve their issues to prevent further violence. Watch now »

• Best Art Direction – Something Necessary

In Something Necessary, a woman struggles to rebuild her life after the 2007 post-election violence that took everything from her as she also confronts one of the people responsible for her pain. Watch now »

• Best TV Drama – Saida

Victoria Muthigi plays the titular role of Saida in the Swahili telenovela about a girl confined to a wheelchair seeking freedom from her conservative family but instead finds love in the most unexpected place. Watch now »

• Best TV Show – Tales from the Bush Larder: Kampala

Renowned chef Kiran Jethwa takes viewers on an adventurous culinary journey as he explores delicacies from cities in Kenya and in East Africa. Watch now »

• Best Supporting Actor in a TV Drama – Gerald Langiri, Stay

Featuring the ever audacious Mkamzee Mwatela as Nubia and Jason Corder as Shane, Stay digs deeper into the underlying issues of an interracial couple, testing the waters to see if their relationship can survive. Watch now »

• Best Supporting Actress in a TV Drama – Amalie Chopetta, Saida. Watch now »

Winners of 2015 Kalasha Awards

• Best TV Drama – Groove Theory

Kenya’s first musical drama series Groove Theory revolves around five talented university students as they struggle to bring their dreams to life on stage while facing various obstacles. The cast includes Patricia Kihoro, Elsaphan Njora (Kati Kati), Kevin Maina, Pascal Tokodi (Wrath, Marikiti Women) and Peter King (Ni Sisi, Kati Kati). Watch now »

• Best Actor in a TV Drama – Kevin Maina, Groove Theory. Watch now »

• Best Supporting Actor in a Film – Charles Karumi, Fundimentals

From the team that brought us House of Lungula, Fundimentals revolves around two fundis (handymen) who introduce a new type of express service to their female customers to ward off competition. Watch now »

• Best Performance in a TV Comedy – Khaleed Abdul, Classmates

A remake of the global hit Mind Your Language, Classmates takes us into a peculiar classroom setting in Kenya where students are never short of shenanigans. Watch now »

• Best Lighting Technician – Veve

• Best Feature – Veve

• Best Production Designer – Veve

• Best Director – Veve

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