Pitching Competition
Call for Submission
2021 Edition
This Competition is only open to Kenyan Citizens. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age and registered as delegates for Kalasha International TV and Film Market 2021 as of the Submission Deadline.
Winners authorize the Kenya Film Commission (KFC) to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the content entry in connection with Kalasha, in any media now or hereafter known, including but not limited to: catalogue publication in showcasing the winners; on Kalasha website; and in exhibits and promotions related to Kalasha.
KALASHA MARKET PITCHING COMPETITION JURY 2021
NICE GITHINJI
Nice Githinji began her career as a stage actress, first appearing on the Phoenix Players stage in Richard Stockwell’s “Bad Blood”. Following a stellar performance in that show, Nice has evolved into one of the industry’s most active voices and has curved herself a niche as a performer who never leaves her audience wanting.
Nice’s versatile portfolio shows her playing roles that range from Mary-Magdalene in the acclaimed musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” to Rizzo in “Grease the Musical”. She is active on the Kenyan scene as an actor, content creator, vocalist, MC and TV host, with a list of credits that include “Nganya”, which she co-created for Iflix, William Shakespeare’s “Merry Wives of Windsor”, “Subira, Rafiki”, “Lost in Africa” and “Country Queen”.Nice also runs an initiative dubbed JiNice Visafe where she mentors and trains upcoming performers in theatre and screen acting.
With 13 awards and nominations under her belt, Nice is one of Kenya’s most driven artists, striving to make the industry bigger and brighter. Nice is an expert performer and a consummate professional. She describes herself as a force to be reckoned with; a voice that cannot be stopped, an expert performer and a consummate professional.
JAMES KANJA
James Kanja is a Producer and Director who specializes in TV Commercials, TV Series and Films. He is currently the Executive Producer & Director at Black Magic Films Limited. His award-winning works include “The XYZ Show” as the show’s founding director, “Pamela” short film (Lola Kenya Screen Best Children’s Film) and a Kenya schedule line producer on the Netflix critically acclaimed series “Sacred Games 2”.
Kanja believes in telling transformative stories and having fun while at it. He is a certified rugbyholic who loves the outdoors, off-roading and watching his son destroy stuff.
SERAH MWIHAKI
Serah Mwihaki is the multiple award-winning writer of “Nairobi Half Life” which was not only Kenya’s entry to the Oscars Academy Awards but was shown in more than 100 theatres in the USA and around the world. The film has been touted as the most successful film to come to Kenya.
Through a career spanning nearly two decades, Serah created and wrote nearly 70 episodes of the drama series “Changes” and nearly 600 episodes of “Kona” and “Selina” telenovelas (all available on Showmax).
With her company Wordypix Company Limited, Serah wrote and produced “Kidnapped”, an award-winning film on the correlation between domestic abuse and mental issues. She has written several TV movies for Multichoice Limited and is currently writing an anthology film with an American Company.
DENNIS MBUTHIA
Dennis Mbuthia is a Game Designer and Animator at Adala Studios Limited. He has 9 years’ industry experience and has worked on more than fifteen motion graphic campaigns, four 2D animated short films and one board game. Dennis is the current Treasurer of Association of Animation Artistes Kenya. He was the 1st Runner up in an AR/VR Competition and one of 3 finalists at the Chezo Gaming Hackathon.
Dennis has a passion for animation projects and games that bring innate joy and learning to the everyday lives of his customers and clients. He is a Lecturer at Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI) and Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC). He hopes to inspire the artists in his class to be the best they can be and impact the world with their individual skill set.
Dennis is a graduate of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Harvard Law School’s CopyrightX program and Homeboyz Animation School. He sits in the OSCAR Selection Committee Kenya representing the Kenyan animation industry and volunteers at Destiny Chapel as an Animator and Graphic Designer.
Learning and teaching are his key passions and is willing to share his knowledge and expertise to all who will listen.
WYCLIFFE PHILIP BUHERE
Wycliffe Philip Buhere holds A Bachelor of Arts Degree in Design (University of Nairobi, 1993), Postgraduate Film Production and Directing (Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, 1996) and is currently working on a Masters Degree project on Theatre Arts and Film Technology (Kenyatta University).
Buhere is currently a Principal Film Lecturer training at Kenya Institute of Mass Communication where he doubles as Industrial Liaison Officer. He is the organizing Secretary of Association of Film Producing Educational Institutions – Kenya that is a trustee of Ministry of Education.
Buhere is a prolific screen actor, television programmes content Developer and Presenter. He has overseen productions of over 300 Documentaries and Feature films, both as a Film trainer and Consultant.
He is the regional Chairman for Nairobi Tertiary Educational Institutions on matters of Film Production and Theatre Arts.
IRENE MURUGI RUIRU
Irene Murugi Ruiru is an experienced film and television actress and consultant as well as a renowned Radio Voice over Artist with a career that has spanned over 25 years. She has featured in both local and international film, TV and Radio shows.
Irene is an experienced Producer as well as the founding Director of Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK) – a Collective Management Organization that is licensed to collect royalties on behalf of performers in Kenya.
She is currently the Chairperson of kenya Actors Guild.
KEZIAH GITHINJI
Keziah Wangui Githinji is a passionate lover of Film, Animation and Theatre; a Film Lecturer who is pursuing a Doctorate in Film Studies. Keziah is a Film Scholar who aims at making films that deal with societal issues and offer solutions. She is a mentor, a film trainer and will be a speaker in the upcoming TED X talk in Nairobi.
Keziah’s passion is to equip young minds with the ability to tell stories through film while collaborating with other filmmakers. Her dream is to see African stories being told by Kenyan filmmakers.
JOHN KARANJA
John Karanja is the leading consultant at Nderi Film Village and the CEO of Entertainment Film Welfare Ensemble (EFWE). Karanja is also the Executive Producer, CEO and maker of films at Magic Galaxy Limited and Jeeba Communication; he has worked as a content manufacturer, Film and TV production mentor and instructor.
Karanja is an alumnus of Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC). He has served in the industry of film and TV for the past 23 years.
ISABELLA MAINA
Isabella Maina is the lead video content producer at Dive Productions with a focus on Documentaries, Feature Films and Video Digital Content. Her works include “Compassion for the Disabled” documentary, “Transformed to Transform” and “The Price of a Daughter” and “Behind Closed Doors” feature films.
“Compassion for the Disabled” is a documentary story on the mentally and physically challenged children living the slums. This project caught the attention of content buyers during the Discop Film Market 2012.
A graduate of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication – Diploma in Film/Video production, Isabella has undertaken other professional courses in: screenwriting, cinematography, directing, digital social media among other personal development courses.
She is currently the chairperson of Kenya National Film Association (KNFA).
DAVID ALEX WANGANJU
David Alex Wanganju is a self-taught Motion Designer and Animator with over 10 years professional experience in various applications of animation, ranging from events and TV to agency and news. David has worked with brands such as Safaricom, Airtel, Sauti Sol, Coca Cola and the Government of Kenya, among others.
David has developed motion graphic animations for presentations, advertising and entertainment. He also runs Ideas to Creations, a platform for artists to get professional feedback and tutorials.
BENJAMIN MWENDIA WAITHAKA
Benjamin Mwendia Waithaka is a 3D Generalist and one of the best Mentors of upcoming animators in the Kenyan industry and the region. Having been in the animation industry for over 15 years, Benjamin is an Autodesk Certified Professional and he is the co-founder of the Award-winning Bluesplynes Studio Kenya.
With the spirit of building and seeing the animation industry grow in Kenya, Benja, as many call him, has in the past lectured at Shang Tao Media Arts College and is currently a 3D Instructor at the Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI) and Talanta Institute.
Under his Studio label Bluesplyne Studios, Benjamin has won different accolades including Entrepreneur of the year 2014, Citi micro-entrepreneurship award; he has been recognized as a finalist of the Kenya ICT Rising Star Award. For Benjamin, it is the constant improvement and learning to approach the new challenging task with a positive mind that keep him going.
FRED MAKORI
Fred Makori is a film enthusiast with over 11 years of experience in the media industry as a Scriptwriter, Graphic Designer, TV Producer and Director, TV Concept Developer, Production Coordinator and Editorial Researcher for documentaries, advertisements, Public Service Announcements (PSAs) and films.
Fred has worked for Nation Media Group, Media Development in Africa (MEDEVA), Radio Africa Group, Uungwana Initiative and Docubox. Currently, he is the Head of Production at Kenya’s first 24-hour Business Channel – Metropol TV.
He has produced and directed short films comprising: Lockdown, Solid Rock and Linda among others. He is currently working on his debut feature film to be shot in 2021.
Fred has served as a member of the Kenya Oscar Selection Committee which views and judges entries from all over Kenya to select the country’s representative in the Oscar Academy Awards. He has also served as the Vice Chairman of the Kenya National Film Association (KNFA).
Fred holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design with professional training in Film and TV production. As a film critic, he helps filmmakers in Kenya and the region make quality films for Cinema and TV. He believes that film is life and through it, we tell our stories and hand down values and culture to generations after us, thus shaping perception.
MISHAEL MOSE NYANGAU
Mishael Mose Nyangau is a Communication and Media Studies Teacher/Lecturer at Nairobi Primary School and Kenya Methodist University. He has worked as a film Producer, Director, Scriptwriter and Actor as well as an Adjudicator at Kenya Drama and Film Festivals.
He holds a Master Degree in Communication Studies from University of Nairobi’s School of Journalism and a Bachelor Degree in Education (English Linguistics Major and Literature) from the same institution. He is currently a PhD Candidate at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) pursuing Communication and Media Studies.
Mishael is a Committee Member of Association of Film Producing Educational Institutions in Kenya (AFPEIK).
PETER MARTIN IKUMILU
Peter Martin Ikumilu is currently the Acting Assistant Director in charge of Multi Media Content Regulation in the Multi Media Service Department of the Communications Authority of Kenya. He has served for twenty years in different capacities with the converged ICT Regulator.
Ikumilu is a Commonwealth Research Fellow with a Masters Degree in Business Administration, majoring in Strategic Management (Moi University) and a Masters Degree in Communications
Victor Ouma
Victor Ouma is an experienced photographer and videographer. Having worked for the Department of Film Services for over eight years, he has filmed documentaries for private companies, Government Ministries and Parastatals focusing on social, economic and political issues that aim to inform the citizenry through audio visual.
Based on his vast experience in documentary production, Victor was deployed to head the Cinematography section in Kenya Film School in 2016. Victor has nurtured over 100 students in the school.
Monica Juma
Monica Juma works for the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) as a Programme Officer. Her duties include acquisition of local and international content as well as scheduling. She is a holder of Bachelors Degree in Communication, a journey she started off at the Kenya Institute of Mass communication (KIMC) where she studied TV Production Techniques.
An Alumni of Poynter Institute for Media Studies in Florida, USA, Monica is a movie buff who also enjoys good music. She is a member of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT).
A Christian, Monica believes her faith has helped her in all ways of her life. She advocates for every person to get mentorship in their field of professionalism for it has been of great help in her career.
You can follow Monica through her social media twitter @monicajuma9
MURITHI MACHARIA IAN
Murithi Macharia Ian is a passionate storyteller through Animation. He is the current Head of Animation at Ada Animation. Ian is a trained Java and C++ Developer from Inoorero University (the institution has since closed but the Alumni spirit lives on). He also has a Bachelors Degree in Commerce from Egerton University
Ian developed Mobile Apps and Games as a freelancer for two years before attending an apprenticeship program on Animation. He sharpened his skills at Tugo Studios as a General 3D Artist where he also had the privilege to mentor students on animation and storytelling. Ian gained more experience in 2D and 3D Animation while working at Tugo Studios.
Ian has been involved in the production of TV advertisements; he collaborated with other artists on their projects and in the early development of Kiki & Ella, a TV series that is still in production.
EMILY NYABERE
Emily Nyabere is a Lecturer in Animation at USIU-Africa (United States International University –Africa). She holds an M.A. in Digital Film and Animation from London Metropolitan University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art from Kenyatta University and is currently pursuing her PhD at Kenyatta University.
Emily is a creative, who apart from lecturing in Animation, is a proficient Graphic Designer and Ceramic Artist. She currently serves as Secretary of the Association of Animation Artistes Kenya where she is a member. She is also a champion in curriculum development and serves as a member of the Sector Skills Advisory Committee in the Animation and Digital Media section for CDACC -TVET.
LADISLAUS REGIS ONDIEKI
Ladislaus is currently the Assistant Director in the Department of Film Services (DFS). Prior to this, he has worked in various organisations including The Media House (The Standard Newspapers), International Commission of Jurist (Kenya Section), International Training in Health (INTRAH), UNFPA and Amref.
Ladislaus is a Film Scholar with the need to help clear the confusion-to help understand the film as an art. He is a film critic whose passion is equipping and mentoring young minds with the ability to construct Art and Film and to see African stories being told in our own creative way rather than copying and stereotyping.
He has lectured in Mank and Tank on basic animation skills, Multimedia University, and the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication where he has taught and mentored over 8,000 students, many excelling to higher echelons of TV and Film Production. He is also a member of Film Lecturers and Trainers Association (FLETA).
Ladislaus is an alumni of Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University. He is currently in pursuance of a Doctorate in Film Studies at Kenyatta University.
WALLACE JOSEPH
Known to friends and family as a passionate artist who always tries new stuff since childhood, Wallace has since gathered a plethora of skills in Graphic Design and Animation over the last 10 years. In his journey with the top creative agencies and freelancing tasks, he has been able to gain proficiency across various production disciplines but his love remains 3D Animation which is why he founded Tugo Studios Limited.
Wallace received his Diploma in IT (Mod 1) from the Shepherds Foundation and Research Institute- Nairobi, Kenya, where he emerged top of his class