FilmAid Kenya Film Festival 2023 Gala Awards: Celebrating Voices, Inspiring Change
Nairobi, September 7th, 2023 - The curtains came down in style at FilmAid Kenya's 16th Annual Film Festival, with the dazzling Gala Awards held at the prestigious Trademark Hotel in Nairobi. This star-studded evening, which unfolded on September 7th, 2023, was a heartfelt tribute to the exceptional talents of FilmAid Kenya's recent graduates—a group of young, resilient, and refugee storytellers.
Every year, FilmAid Kenya extends its commitment to empower over 80 young refugees hailing from Dadaab and Kakuma Refugee Camps, as well as individuals from their host communities, through its transformative Media Arts Training Program. Offering a comprehensive education encompassing film, photography, journalism, radio, and digital media, FilmAid provides these youths with the creative and technical prowess needed to narrate their stories and the narratives of their communities in their most authentic voices.
The FilmAid Kenya Film Festival 2023 was an immersive journey into the world of cinema. It presented a captivating selection of short student and international films, all unified by the central theme of 'Inform, Engage & Inspire.' These cinematic gems provided profound insights into the lived experiences of communities in Dadaab, Kakuma, and Nairobi, reflecting a tapestry of stories that both moved and inspired.
FilmAid Kenya Film Festival 2023 Awards
FilmAid Kenya Student Film Awards
Best Sound
THE UNTOLD
Director: Remmy Badodo (Kakuma)
Best Script
RISING TOGETHER
Writer: Ali Dahir Aden (Dadaab)
Best Original Score
SHUTTERED ILLUSION
Composer: Victoria Martin (Kakuma)
Best Director
RISING TOGETHER
Director: Abdirisack Abdikadir (Dadaab)
Best Editing
THE UNTOLD
Editors: Steve Kiza and James Naoya (Kakuma)
Best Cinematography
FOOD SECURITY CHAMPION
Cinematographer: Rey Bulambo (Kakuma)
Best Emerging Film
RISING TOGETHER
Director: Ramla Aden Balal (Dadaab)
Best Film
THE UNTOLD
Director: Gabriella Kennedy (Kakuma)
The FilmAid Kenya Film Festival 2023 Awards not only celebrated exceptional filmmaking but also served as a testament to the resilience, creativity, and storytelling prowess of these young talents. The films showcased the power of narratives in driving change, informing, and engaging audiences, and most importantly, inspiring a brighter future.
As the curtain fell on this year's festival, FilmAid Kenya continues its unwavering commitment to nurturing voices, fostering creative expression, and advocating for positive social change through the art of storytelling. The impact of these remarkable graduates reverberates far beyond the silver screen, leaving an indelible mark on the communities they represent and the world at large.
