Nawi (film)

NAWI is set in the arid, isolated landscapes of Turkana, Kenya, focusing on the life of a young girl named Nawi. The film, based on true events, follows Nawi, a 13-year-old girl who is sold into marriage for livestock. Desperate to escape her fate, Nawi flees on her wedding night to pursue her dream of attending high school. Along her journey, she faces challenges from her family and community bound by traditional customs. Nawi takes a bold stand for her own life and those of other young girls at risk, embodying themes of resistance, hope, and transformation. The film emphasizes the need of access to education especially for girls in remote regions of Africa in order to fight the practice of forced child marriages.

• Michelle Lemuya Ikeny as Nawi
• Joel Liwan as Joel
• Ochungo Benson as Eree
• Ben Tekee as Shadrack
• Michelle Chebet Tiren as Rosemary
• Patrick Oketch as Emanikor
• Nungo Marrianne Akinyi as Mama Ekai
• Nyokabi Macharia as Madame Christine
• Sienna Tanayian as Hope

NAWI is a collaboration between the production companies FilmCrew Media GmbH^[4] and Baobab Pictures^[5] and the Turkana-based NGO Learning Lions,^[6] which focuses on educational opportunities and social empowerment for young people in Turkana, Kenya. The story for the script was found through a national writing contest in Kenya, where Milcah Cherotich, a first-time writer, shared a compelling story about a young girl facing forced marriage.^[7] This story became the foundation of the film, resonating with both local and international concerns regarding child marriage and gender equality.^[2]

NAWI was filmed in the remote landscapes of Turkana, with a team that included international and Kenyan crew members. It was directed by four directors,Toby and Kevin Schmutzler, Apuu Mourine and Vallentine Chelluget. The production itself became a learning experience for many in the region, reflecting the film's mission of empowerment through education and cross-cultural collaboration. To support the cause beyond the film, the NAWI Initiative was created, with a portion of the film's proceeds dedicated to initiatives that help girls escape forced marriage through education and support programs.^[8]

Michelle Lemuya won the 2024 African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Promising Actor for her role as Nawi.^[3] The film was also nominated in four other categories including Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Make Up.^[9] The film had its German festival premiere at the Hof International Film Festival^[10] and its Kenyan festival premiere at the Nairobi Film Fest.^[11] It's extensive festival run continued on prestigious events like Raindance, Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) and Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF).

In addition to screenings in the festival circuit, NAWI screened at high level NGO and political events like UN General Assembly 80 and UN CSW in cooperation with Girls Not Brides.

Securing an long cinema run of seven weeks within Kenya,^{[citation needed]} NAWI was acclaimed for its storytelling, acting and cinematography.^[12]

At the 2026 Kalasha Awards it walked away with 5 awards namely: the Best Feature Film; Michelle Lemuya for Best Lead Actress In A Film; Viva Njeri for Best Costume Designer; Erikson Kang’ethe for Best Production Designer and the People’s Choice Award – Feature Film.^[13]

List of awards won:

• List of submissions to the 97th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
• List of Kenyan submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film