The 97th Academy Awards have selected the feature film “Nawi” as Kenya’s official entry

Nawi is Kenya’s official entry for the 97th Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category, according to the Oscar Selection Committee of Kenya.

With a focus on love, identity, and cultural heritage, the 2024 film tells the tale of a 14-year-old Turkana girl who finds herself torn between her family’s ancient traditions and the demands of the modern world. Nawi’s reflections on the larger societal tensions between tradition and progress, as she navigates her problems, resonate with audiences in Kenya and around the world.

Nawi captivates with its breathtaking cinematography, which showcases Kenya’s different landscapes from bustling Nairobi to the serene countryside, in addition to its captivating tale. The story’s emotional center is enhanced by this visual richness, which creates a potent cinematic experience.

Wamaitha, OTIS Janam, Searching for Amani, and Nawi were the four entries this year; Nawi was selected to represent Kenya in the international feature film category.

The movie, which debuted in Nairobi on August 24, 2024, was produced in association with the nonprofit organization Learning Lions and was filmed in early 2023. It seeks to raise awareness of a problem that many young girls face. A 2015 UNICEF report stated that one-third of Turkana’s women were married before turning 18.

The choice of Nawi emphasizes how Kenyan film is becoming increasingly well-known worldwide. This contribution, which marks the nation’s place on the global film scene, is a victory for the film industry, regardless of whether it wins an Oscar.