“Nawi,” Kenyan Drama Highlighting Child Marriage, to Release in north Americaโค March 6, 2026
Los angeles – “Nawi,” the โฃcritically acclaimed Kenyan filmโ addressing the issue of child marriage, will receiveโ a North American release on March โค6, 2026, โขjust days before International Women’s Day. The film, whichโฃ recently won the Leo Award for Best Film at the DaVinci International Film Festival, follows 13-year-old โคNawi, portrayed by Michelle Lemuya Ikeny, whose dreams of attending high school are threatened when โฃher father intends to marry โher off in exchange for “60 sheep, eight camels, and 100 goats.”
Directed by toby and Kevin Schmutzler, Apuu Mourine, and Vallentine Chelluget, “Nawi” is based on a script by Milcah cherotich, originating from a national writng contest. The film stars Joel Liwan,Ochungo Benson,Ben Tekee,Michelle Chebet Tiren,Patrick Oketch,Nungo Marrianneโ Akinyi,and Nyokabi Macharia.
Produced by FilmCrew Media and Baobab Pictures in collaboration with the Turkana-based NGO Learning Lions,”Nawi” has already garnered 20 โawards and serves as kenya’s entryโ for the Best International Feature Film โrace at the 2025 oscars. Toronto-based New Mountain Films, founded byโค Khaled Sabbour, will distribute the film, focusing on cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Toronto.
A trailer for the North American release has been unveiled, offering aโ preview of โคthe film’sโค narrative โcentered on a youngโข girl’s fight โคfor herโ voice โคand future.”Nawi” was also recently screened โขat the UN General Assembly.
[Link to YouTube Trailer]