By Claudia Mugaki

USIU-Africa’s film fraternity participated in the 12th Kalasha International Film and TV Awards, held at the Safari Park Hotel on Saturday, December 3, 2022. USIU-Africa students and faculty from Cinematic Arts Department, the Film club as well as other programs participated in the star-studded event that takes place annually, bringing together who-is-who in the Kenyan, regional and diaspora film and television industries.

Fondly referred to as the ‘Kenyan Oscars’, the event awards top content creators and veterans in the cinematic industry. USIU-Africa’s official submission to Kalasha, Esc. (read Escape) directed by Margaret Njeri and Ian Munyao (BA Film Production and Directing alumni, class of 2022) explores the tech-world to tell an intriguing story of struggle for Marvin and his mother as they grapple with his dad’s terminal illness in the face of joblessness during the COVID-19-initiated lockdown.

The Film Club was represented by the Inter-clubs’ coordinator, Claudia Mugaki (BA International Relations Senior), who has made a mark in through her Arts Management role in the film and animation industry; Ted Mitchell Apondi, a Film enthusiast and also a BA International Relations Senior and the Film Club Patron and Chair of Cinematic Arts, Dr. Rachael Diang’a, who also presented an award at the event on behalf of USIU-Africa.

USIU-Africa and Kenya Film Commission, the organizers of the Kalasha Awards enjoy an MoU that has borne fruits for both organizations in the past. The film club leadership had the pleasure to witness and see a niche that students in the club can tap into and take their creative mind into practice, come the next semester.