Showmax Originals earn record 26 nominations at Kalasha Awards 2024

Showmax is the most-nominated platform at the recently unveiled Kalasha Awards nominations with a total of 47 nominations.

Showmax Originals have scored 26 nominations at the recently unveiled Kalasha Awards 2024 nominations.

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This is the highest achievement at the Kalasha Awards yet for the African streamer, which has already released 12 Originals in Kenya, with more titles set to launch in 2024 following the recent Showmax relaunch in partnership with Comcast. 

Adding to this impressive list of Showmax Original nominees are 21 titles from Maisha Magic Plus and Maisha Magic Movies that are available to stream on Showmax. Overall, Showmax earned 47 nominations, making it the most-nominated platform at this year’s Kalasha Awards.

“These 26 nominations are a great milestone for us at Showmax, not only as a celebration of our incredible local content offering but also as a validation of our content strategy and investment in Kenya,” says Emma Gichonge, the newly appointed Showmax General Manager East Africa. “And congratulations to all our Kalasha nominees; we couldn’t have done this without the immeasurable talent of our actors and filmmakers who continue to set the bar high in telling diverse stories that resonate with our audience.”

In the TV category, leading the pack for Showmax nominations is the thriller series Igiza with five nominations, including Best TV Drama, Best Lead Actor for Blessing Lung’aho and Best Lead Actress for Serah Ndanu. Set against the backdrop of Nairobi’s fashion industry and the infamous wash wash, Igiza follows twin sisters (both played by Ndanu) caught in a bitter rivalry after a betrayal in the past.

Single Kiasi, one of the top 10 most-watched shows on Showmax for three years in a row, follows closely with four nods, including Best TV Drama and Best Lead Actress for Faith Kibathi. The female-led drama returns for the highly anticipated third season on 5 March, with new cast members like Nini Wacera (Country Queen) and Jimmi Gathu (Kina) joining returning favourites Kibathi, Gathoni Mutua and Minne Kariuki.

The Kibera-set crime drama Pepeta, from director Vincent Mbaya, is up for Best TV Drama and the Viewer’s Choice Awards; the record-breaking first season of The Real Housewives of Nairobi is competing for Best TV Show; and stand-up comedies Roast House and Comedy Riot are vie-ing for Best TV Comedy, with Abel Mutua (Roast House) and Ruth Nyambura (Comedy Riot) up against each other for Best Performance in a TV Comedy. Roast House and Comedy Riot are produced by Eugene Mbugua’s D&R Studios, also behind The Real Housewives of Nairobi.

In the film category, Kenya’s first-ever Christmas feature, A Familiar Christmas, from director Reuben Odanga, shines with nine nominations, including Best Feature, Best Lead Actor and Best Lead Actress for Pascal Tokodi and Maureen Kunga respectively.

Maisha Magic Plus and Maisha Magic Movies nominees available on Showmax include telenovelas Salem, Kina and Sanura and John Allan-Namu’s true crime series The Last Door.