THE WOMAN IN FILM

Elegance, glamour and an aura of power, is the mood at every single Woman in film awards gala since the 1st edition. ?At the very beginning, the woman in film awards theme was to celebrate the drive, spirit and diversity of the woman film maker. It created an opportunity to appreciate the strong willed women who have fought all odds to fit in the film making industry. This created an opportunity for more women to join the industry no matter whom they are or where they come from. Appreciating these diverse women in film motivated them to make extra milestones in the industry.

These milestones in the industry motivated the second edition of the women in film awards which was appreciating the woman filmmaker changing the game. Women in film have gone extra miles to appreciate new technology and new ideas in the industry. They have also taken up top positions in the industry that were previously male dominated. These are the kind of changes that were recognized in the women in film awards second edition.

Change is a really good thing but the only problem is accepting the change, appreciating it and maintaining it. The best result from the women in film awards is ensuring that the film industry adapts and appreciates change. Maintaining change requires a lot of persistence, courage and commitment which is what prompted the theme for the second edition of WIFA awards.

In a changing world there is need for commitment and persistence. This is what prompted this years’ - the third edition women in film awards theme. The theme this year was Nevertheless she persisted: celebrating women of character, courage and commitment. The gala this year brought out the persistence of so many women in the film industry. Winners like Catherine kamau (Kate Actress) and Jackie Matubia have waited, persisted and remained committed in their roles for more than ten years. Jackie Matubia in her speech after winning the best actress TV drama stated that she has been waiting for recognition for more than thirteen years.

This third edition presented an opportunity to acknowledge all the existing and upcoming women in the film industry. The likes of Riziki Ambrose who won the best newcomer producer are among the new upcoming women in the industry. Acknowledging her was an opportunity to motivate more women to join the industry.

In addition, recognition of best actress kids’ category which was won by Angela Achieng’ is a sign of a future for the woman in film. Acknowledging the kids in the industry will help to attract more young female talent. These young girls like Angel Atieno, Neema kawa, Nyabiya Syekei, Stycie Waweru and Torah Nato are the future of the Women in Film Awards. Appreciating them helps to nurture them from a young age and attract more young girls to the industry.

The WIFA gala is always a great opportunity to be in the midst of successful women in the film industry. This helps to encourage the upcoming women in film to be persistent and not to give up. It also helps women in film to believe in their dreams and work really hard to achieve them no matter the obstacles they face.

Sincere appreciation to Talanta Institute for working hand in hand with the WIFA management to ensure the whole event was documented. We helped to set up the equipment to ensure the live stream went on successfully without a hitch. This played a huge role to reach anyone who couldn’t physically access the gala. We also helped capture the moments shared during the gala with quality photographs. The live streams were shared internationally through the women in film awards face book channel.

On behalf of Talanta Institute, the CEO Mr. Paul Mukoma appreciated all who took part in the WIFA gala. In his speech, he appreciated all women in retrospect to the women’s day that was on the 8th march. Most importantly he appreciated his mother a strong willed woman who has supported him through his journey. He stated that his mother bought him his first camera that he used to start Princecam media. He appreciated all the women who are part of the film industry and encouraged more women to join the film industry. In addition to Mr. Paul’s speech, Mr. Martin Ndung’u the principal Talanta Institute added that as an institution we are glad to support women in film and to partner in the 3rd WIFA Award for 2022 just like we have the past two editions.

All the participants, invited guests and students present had an opportunity to interact and even learn from each other. Students present from Talanta institute were actively involved in taking photographs, doing interviews and a one on one interaction with their role models in the film industry. In addition to interacting with the women in film they also had a chance to see the opportunities present for women in film.

The women in film have just begun their journey. With support, acknowledgement and appreciation, they are continuously making milestones in the film industry. The future is being nurtured and from the women in film awards we can agree that there is hope for a bright future.

By Mary Karuri