KALASHA AWARDS 2026 FULL WINNERS LIST: NAWI AND SUKARI DOMINATE FILM CATEGORIES 

The 14th edition of the Kalasha International Film and TV Awards lit up Kenya’s creative landscape over the weekend, celebrating outstanding storytelling across film and television. The prestigious ceremony honoured industry veterans and emerging talents alike, with the film Nawi emerging as a major force.

Nawi, directed by Brizan Were, Lydia Wrensch and Caroline Heim, clinched Best Feature Film and the People’s Choice Award (Feature Film) , while its star, Michelle Lemuya, took home Best Lead Actress In A Film. The film also earned Erikson Kang’ethe the award for Best Production Designer and Viva Njeri for Best Costume Designer.

The short film Sukari dominated with multiple wins: Best Short Film, Best Lead Actor Juma Mdoe as Abbas, Best Supporting Actor Jave Samson as Musa, Best Original Screenplay June Wairegi & Omar Hamza, Best Director Omar Hamza, and Best Film Score Frank Matovu.

In the TV category, Kash Money by Grace Kahaki & Philippe Bresson won Best TV Drama, Best Director, Best Lead Actor John Sibi Okumu as Joe, Best Supporting Actor Lenana Kariba as Njagi, and Best Supporting Actress Amara Tari as Cate Njenga. June Njenga was named Best Lead Actress In A TV Drama for Big Girl Small World.

Special honours included a Lifetime Achievement Award for John Karanja, while Damien Hauser received the Jury Award for Memory Of Princess Mumbi, alongside a win for Best Visual Effects. Digital creator Edwin Wainaina-Kadusko was named Digital Content Creator Of The Year, with Shiksha Arora earning Positive Impact Content Creator Of The Year.

The Kalasha Awards continue to champion Kenyan and African cinema, setting the stage for another year of bold, authentic storytelling. Check out full winners list below!

Film Category

Best Feature Film Nawi by Brizan Were, Lydia Wrensch & Caroline Heim

Best Short Film Sukari by June Wairegi

Best Documentary The People Shall By Mark Maina & Nick Wambugu

Best Lead Actor In A Film Juma Mdoe As Abbas In Sukari

Best Kenyan Indigenous Language Film Sarah By Sarah Tenoi, Nick Reding & Amos Leuka

Best Animation Production Lore by Mary Wanjiku

Best Lead Actress In A Film Michelle Lemuya As Nawi In Nawi

Best Supporting Actor In Film Jave Samson as Musa in Sukari

Best Supporting Actress In A Film Ivy Collette As Mary In Owadwa

Best Original Screenplay June Wairegi & Omar Hamza In Sukari

Best Director Photography Andrew Mungai & Baker Karim In The Dog

Best Director Omar Hamza In Sukari

Best Sound Designer Eric Musyoka in Sarah

Best Film Score Frank Matovu in Sukari

Best Editor Mark Maina in The People Shall

Best Gaffer Walter Odhiambo in The Dog

Best Visual Effects (Vfx) Damien Hauser in Memory Of Princess Mumbi

Best Production Designer Erikson Kang’ethe in Nawi

Best Make- Up John “Suki” Michuki Kibunguri In 2-Assunder

Best Costume Designer Viva Njeri In Nawi

TV Category

Best Lead Actor In A TV Drama John Sibi Okumu as Joe in Kash Money

Best Lead Actress In A TV Drama June Njenga in Big Girl Small World

Best Supporting Actor in a TV Drama Lenana Kariba as Njagi in Kash Money

Best SupportingActress In a TV Drama Amara Tari as Cate Njenga in Kash Money

Best TV Drama Kash Money by Grace Kahaki & Philippe Bresson

Best Scriptwriter Angela Ruhinda In Big Girl Small World

Best Director Grace Kahaki & Philippe Breson in Kash Money

Best Student FilmDinner For Three by Brian Kabogozza From Multichoice Talent Factory

Best Student Documentary The Inkidongi by Kenya Film School

Best International Award Jimbi by Talemwa Pius From Uganda

Best Children Production Ndemwa by Michael Mutahi

Lifetime Achievement Award John Karanja

Jury Award Memory of Princess Mumbi by Damien Hauser

People’s Choice Award (Feature Film) Nawi by Brizan Were, Lydia Wrensch & Caroline Heim

People’s Choice Award (TT Drama) Mtv Shuga Mashariki by Kevin Njue

Digital Content Creator Of The Year Edwin Wainaina-Kadusko

Positive Impact Content Creator Of The Year Shiksha Arora