Kenya’s Film TV and Theatre: 16 Defining Moments
Written by Black Hot Fire Network Team on January 7, 2026
Globally, 2025 was a significant year for the film and TV industry, marked by major deals like the Paramount-Skydance merger and the Warner Bros-Netflix-Paramount negotiations, Ryan Coogler’s unique deal for Sinners, rapid advancements in AI, unexpected box office results, and a steady stream of remakes and sequels.
For Africa, the industry continued to make a statement at international festivals with documentaries and narrative features exploring themes of displacement, migration, exile, memory, cultural preservation, and intergenerational trauma.
Kenya’s Festival Presence
Kenya was prominently represented at various international festivals and markets. Maia Lekow and Christopher King’s documentary How to Build a Library premiered at Sundance, while Nyamula and Transaction screened at IFFR. Widow Champion appeared at Tribeca, and Memory of Princess Mumbi and the Kenyan-Nigerian co-production One Woman One Bra were featured at Venice and BFI London, with Mumbi also selected for TIFF. Truck Mama screened at the Red Sea Film Festival.
Production Challenges and Alternative Platforms
Across Kenya’s film and television industry, there was a decline in overall output compared to 2024, largely due to financial constraints and budget cuts from content commissioners such as MultiChoice. However, more content found its way onto alternative platforms like YouTube and homegrown TVOD services such as Rafu TV and Madfun Streams.
Kenya Abstains from the Oscars
In an unexpected move, Kenya did not submit any films to the Academy Awards for the first time in eight years. The Kenya Oscars Selection Committee cited that five submitted films did not meet the Academy’s requirements, suggesting a stricter quality control process.
Awards Recognition
The Kenyan teen drama Prefects received a nomination for the 2025 International Emmy Awards in the Kids: Live Action category, marking only the second Kenyan title to be nominated for the iEmmys. Philit Productions secured Kenya’s only two wins at the AMVCAs with Untying Kantai and Makosa ni Yangu. Showmax’s sci-fi series Subterranea won Best TV Series at Mashariki African Film Festival, and at ZIFF, Kileo won Best East African Film, Subterranea earned Best Drama, and Jimmi Gathu was named Best Actor in a Drama Series for The Chocolate Empire. Nawi continued its winning streak with awards at Raindance Film Festival and AFRIFF. Money Town, a series project presented at the Red Sea Souk Project Market, won the Red Sea Souk Series Award.
Canal+ Acquires MultiChoice
One of the year’s most significant events was the completion of Canal+’s $2 billion acquisition of MultiChoice, creating the continent’s dominant pay-TV operator and content distributor. The deal brings together Canal+’s Africa operations with MultiChoice’s properties such as DStv, GOtv, and Showmax. Canal+ plans to ramp up investment in premium African productions, expand fibre broadband services, and leverage StudioCanal for international distribution.
Kalasha Film and TV Awards Absence
The Kalasha Film and TV Awards, Festival, and Market did not take place, despite initial promises from the Kenya Film Commission (KFC). KFC hinted at a possible restructuring, with plans for a revamped edition in March 2026.
Theatre’s Resurgence
Kenyan theatre experienced a boom in 2025, with productions packing halls and exploring diverse genres. Notable plays included Kifo Kisimani, It’s Such a Good Time, Index One, Bad Girls of the Bible, The Trial of Dedan Kimathi, Free Me, Elements, and 2057: Dystopia.
*MTV Shuga Mashariki* Returns
MTV Shuga Mashariki premiered on Citizen TV and BET, garnering over 2.8 million views on YouTube. A second season is slated for early 2026.
Creative Economy Support Bill Progress
The Creative Economy Support Bill, 2024, progressed to the National Assembly review stage after Senate approval, aiming to support Kenya’s creative industries through institutional support, funding, IP protections, and tax incentives.
NBO Film Festival’s Ambitious Slate
The NBO Film Festival continued to curate a diverse range of films from across Africa, but faced challenges in attracting larger audiences.
Losses in the Industry
The industry mourned the passing of several key figures, including film editor Franki Ashiruka, literary giant Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, playwright David Mulwa, actor Bilal Wanjau, producer Appie Matere, and cinema pioneer Anne Mungai.
Leadership Change at Kenya Actors’ Guild
Peter Kawa took over as the new chairman of the Kenya Actors’ Guild, aiming to strengthen the organization’s role in advocating for actors’ rights.
Hollywood and Indian Cinema in Kenya
Kenya attracted renewed international interest as a filming location, with Netflix’s A House of Dynamite and the upcoming thriller Red Card filming parts of their productions in the country. The Indian action-adventure film Varanasi also filmed extensively in Kenya.
Memory of Princess Mumbi at Venice
Kenyan sci-fi film Memory of Princess Mumbi became the first Kenyan feature to screen at Venice Film Festival’s Giornate degli Autori section.
Comebacks, Firsts, and New Launches
Several notable projects and individuals marked significant milestones, including Judy Kibinge’s return to directing with Goat, Lizz Njagah and Alex Konstantaras’ return to Kenyan television with Adam to Eve, Serah Ndanu’s launch of SNT Productions, the return of Makutano Junction with Maisha Makutano, Shirleen Wangari’s feature debut with Cards on the Table, Reuben Odanga’s new telenovela Lazizi, Nice Githinji and Michael Mwangi Jones becoming Kenya’s first intimacy coordinators, the launch of the Kilifi Creek Film Festival, and LBx Africa’s launch of Bigger Motion distribution.
Wanuri Kahiu’s Hollywood Project
Wanuri Kahiu directed Hulu’s drama miniseries Washington Black, starring Sterling K. Brown. Other Kenyans who gained international recognition included Lupita Nyong’o, Junior Nyong’o, and Edi Gathegi.
Government Censorship and Crackdown
The government banned Butere Girls High School’s play Echoes of War and arrested filmmakers connected to the BBC documentary Blood Parliament, raising concerns about censorship and freedom of expression.
Kenya-Nollywood Collaboration
Collaborations between Kenya and Nigeria increased, with co-productions like Safari and One Woman One Bra.
