Rafiki
Completed
“Good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives”, but Kena and Ziki aim for something more. Despite the political rivalry between their families, they resist and remain close friends supporting each other to pursue their dreams in an oppressive society. When love arouses between them, the pressure becomes unbearable forcing the two girls to ultimately choose between happiness and safety.
Based on the novel Jambula Tree by Monica Arac de Nyeko.
| Release | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama |
| Language | English, Swahili, Sheng |
| Cast | Samantha Mugatsia, Sheila Munyiva |
| Director | Wanuri Kahiu |
| Writers | Wanuri Kahiu, Jenna Bass |
| Co-producers | Shortcut Films, Ape&Bjørn, Razor Film, Afrobubblegum, Rinkel Film, MPM Films, Big World Cinema |
| Sales agent | MPM Premium |
| Distributor | Cinemien |
| Composer | Siddhartha Barnhoorn |
| Cinematographer | Christopher Wessels |
| Casting Director | Nini Wacera |
| Production designer | Arya Lalloo |
| Editor | Isabelle Dedieu |
Financiers
ACP-EU Support Programme, CNC Cinema du Monde, Sorfond, NFF + HBF, Berlinale World Cinema Fund, Arri
Awards & Nominations
2019
TWIST: Seattle Queer Film Festival
- Audience Award for Favourite Narrative Feature
winner
2019
Chicago International Film Festival
- The Silver Hugo-Q
winner
2019
Festival Everybody's Perfect
- Perfect award: Prix du public
winner
2019
NewFest NYC
- Audience Award for Narrative Feature
winner
2019
Festival international du film francophone Tübingen | Stuttgart
- Youth Jury Prize
winner
2019
Festival international du film francophone Tübingen | Stuttgart
- Public Preis
winner
2019
Carthage Film Festival
- Best Music (Feature Films)
winner
2019
Carthage Film Festival
- Best Actress (Feature Films) - Samantha Mugatsia
winner
2019
Fespaco, Burkina Faso
- Best Actress Award
winner
2019
Hivos
- Free To Be Me Award
winner
2019
Reelout Queer Film + Video Festival
- Outstanding Lead Performance
winner
2019
Reelout Queer Film + Video Festival
- Outstanding Ensemble Performance
winner
2019
Zinegoak Film Festival
- Best Director Award
winner
2019
Zinegoak Film Festival
- Diversity and Human Rights Award
winner
2019
Zinegoak Film Festival
- Lesbian and Gender Award
winner
2019
Queer North Film Festival, Ontario
- Best in Show
winner
2019
Queer North Film Festival, Ontario
- Best Women's Film
winner
2020
Chlotrudis Awards
- Best Adapted Screenplay
nomination
2020
GLAAD Media Awards
- Outstanding Film - Limited Release
winner
2019
Black Reel Awards
- Outstanding World Cinema Motion Picture
nomination
2019
Göteborg Film Festival
- Dragon Award
nomination
2019
Dublin IFF
- Young Programmers Choice Award
winner
2019
Kingston Reelout Film Festival
- Outstanding Supporting Performance
nomination
2019
Kingston Reelout Film Festival
- Outstanding Lead Performance
winner
2019
Kingston Reelout Film Festival
- Outstanding Lead Performance
nomination
2019
Minneapolis St. Paula International Film Festival
- Audience Choice Award
winner
2019
Milan International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
- Grand Jury Award
winner
2019
Milan International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
- Best Feature Film - Cultweek
winner
2019
African Movie Academy Awards
- Best Actress in a Leading Role
nomination
2019
African Movie Academy Awards
- Best Film in an African Language
winner
2019
African Movie Academy Awards
- Best Editing
winner
2019
African Movie Academy Awards
- Best Film
nomination
2019
African Movie Academy Awards
- Best Director
nomination
2019
African Movie Academy Awards
- Best Screenplay
nomination
2019
African Movie Academy Awards
- Best Cinematography
nomination
2019
African Movie Academy Awards
- Best Costume Design
nomination
2019
African Movie Academy Awards
- Best Production Design
nomination
2019
The Queerties
- Queerty Indie Movie
nomination
2018
Cannes Film Festival
- Queer Palm
nomination
2018
Cannes Film Festival
- Un Certain Regard Award
nomination
2018
Sydney Film Festival
- Audience Award Best Narrative Feature
nomination
2018
Durban International Film Festival
- Best Film International Competition
nomination
2018
Chicago International Film Festival
- Gold Q-Hugo
nomination
2018
AFI Fest, American Film Institute
- Audience Award New Auteurs
nomination
2018
Oslo Films from the South Festival
- Audience Award
nomination
2018
Oslo Films from the South Festival
- New Voices Award
nomination
2018
Valladolid International Film Festival
- Meeting Point Best Feature Film
nomination
2018
Sao Paulo International Film Festival
- New Directors Competition
nomination
2018
LesGaiCineMad, Madrid International LGBT Film Festival
- Best Acting Jury Prize
winner
2018
LesGaiCineMad, Madrid International LGBT Film Festival
- Best Feature Film Audience Award
winner
2018
LUCAS Kinder & Jugendfilmfestival
- Youngsters Award
winner
2018
LUCAS Kinder & Jugendfilmfestival
- Bridging The Borders Award
winner
2018
Merlinka festival
- Best Feature Film
nomination
2018
Bratislava International Film Festival
- Viewers' Choice Award
winner
2018
TWIST: Seattle Queer Film Festival
- Jury Award Best Feature Film
nomination
2018
Carthage Film Festival
- Narrative Feature Film Tanit d'Or
nomination
Festivals
Cannes Film Festival (Un Certain Regard)
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
Durban International Film Festival
Sydney Film Festival
New Zealand International Film Festival
TWIST: Seattle Queer Film Festival
Chicago International Film Festival
Festival Everybody's Perfect
NewFest NYC
Festival international du film francophone Tübingen | Stuttgart
Carthage Film Festival
Fespaco, Burkina Faso
Hivos
Reelout Queer Film + Video Festival
Zinegoak Film Festival
Queer North Film Festival, Ontario
Chlotrudis Awards
GLAAD Media Awards
Black Reel Awards
Göteborg Film Festival
Dublin IFF
Kingston Reelout Film Festival
Minneapolis St. Paula International Film Festival
Milan International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
African Movie Academy Awards
The Queerties
Cannes Film Festival
AFI Fest, American Film Institute
Oslo Films from the South Festival
Valladolid International Film Festival
Sao Paulo International Film Festival
LesGaiCineMad, Madrid International LGBT Film Festival
LUCAS Kinder & Jugendfilmfestival
Merlinka festival
Bratislava International Film Festival
