Kalasha Award for Best Documentary Feature
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| Kalasha Award for Best Documentary Feature | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Non-fiction film with a minimum running time of 40 minutes showcasing compelling storytelling and research |
| Country | Kenya |
| Presented by | Kenya Film Commission |
| First award | June 2009 |
| Most recent winner | Last Door (2024) |
| Website | kalashaawards |
The Kalasha Award for Best Documentary Feature (formerly Best Documentary or Best Documentary Film) is an annual award presented by the Kenya Film Commission as part of the Kalasha International Film & TV Awards. It celebrates non-fiction filmmaking that exhibits rigorous research, cultural relevance and technical excellence in capturing real-life narratives.[1]
The category has been a mainstay since the inaugural ceremony in 2009. To qualify for the feature designation in recent years, the documentary must have a minimum running time of 40 minutes, distinguishing it from shorter documentary subjects.
The most recent recipient is the investigative series Last Door by John-Allan Namu, which won at the 13th edition held in 2024.[2]
Nominees in the documentary category are vetted by the Kalasha Academy, a committee of film scholars, documentary filmmakers and investigative journalists. The academy evaluates submissions based on the depth of the subject matter, the ethical handling of the narrative and the creative use of factual footage.
The decision rests on a dual-voting mechanism: 70% of the weight is assigned to the academy's professional critique, while the remaining 30% is decided by the general public. This allows the award to honor works that are both technically proficient and widely influential within the Kenyan social discourse.[3]