Kenyan-German Drama 'Nawi' Wins 20th Film Festival Award, Secures North American Release

The Kenyan-German coming-of-age drama 'Nawi' has been making waves in the film festival circuit, winning its 20th award this past weekend. The film, which explores the impact of child marriage, is now set to release in the U.S. and Canada on March 6, 2026, just ahead of International Women's Day.

'Nawi' follows the story of a 13-year-old gifted student in Kenya, Nawi, whose dreams of attending high school are crushed when her father plans to marry her off to a stranger. The film delves into the harsh realities of child marriage, a practice that is still common in various parts of the world. Nawi, played by Michelle Lemuya Ikeny, embarks on an epic journey as she tries to escape her fate.

Produced as a collaboration between FilmCrew Media, Baobab Pictures, and the Turkana-based NGO Learning Lions, 'Nawi' has already garnered significant acclaim. The film, which is Kenya's entry for the best international feature film race at the 2025 Oscars, recently won the Leo Award for best film at the DaVinci International Film Festival in Los Angeles.

With its North American release date set, audiences in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Toronto can look forward to experiencing this powerful and thought-provoking drama that shines a light on the challenges faced by young girls in the face of child marriage.