NAWI

Nawi‘s aspirations of attending high school are shattered when she learns that her father plans to marry her off to a stranger. Despite her family‘s necessity for the bride wealth – symbolized by a substantial amount of livestock – Nawi refuses to succumb to this arranged child marriage. Her steadfast ally in this struggle is her brother and closest friend, Joel.

However, Nawi‘s father remains entrenched in tribal traditions, swayed by the counsel of uncles, stepbrothers, and the elders of the clan. Even her three mothers, constrained by their roles as women, believe that being a wife is Nawi‘s destined path. In a bold move, Nawi flees on her wedding night. Pursued by her own family, she embarks on a journey towards Nairobi, clinging to her dream of a promising future. But her sense of responsibility tugs her back when news arrives that her newly-born sister will have to take Nawi’s place in the impending marriage. Nawi returns home to confront her family and husband, an idea in mind to rewrite the fate of countless child brides.


Trailer link

photos © FilmCrew
  • Genre
    Drama
  • CATEGORY
    Feature
  • YEAR OF PRODUCTION
    2024
  • DIRECTORS
    Toby Schmutzler, Kevin Schmutzler, Mourine Apuu Munyes, Vallentine Kinaga Chelluget
  • SCREENPLAY
    Milcah Cherotich, Toby Schmutzler, Kevin Schmutzler
  • DIRECTORS OF PHOTOGRAPHY
    Klaus Kneist, Mwende Renata
  • CAST
    Michelle Lemuya Ikeny, Joel Liwan, Ochungo Benson, Ben Tekee, Michelle Chebet Tiren, Patrick Oketch, Nungo Marianne Akinyi, Nyokabi Macharia
  • PRODUCERS
    Lydia Wrensch, Caroline Heim, Brizan Were
  • PRODUCTION COMPANY
    FilmCrew Media in coproduction with Learning Lions and Baobab Pictures
  • RUNTIME
    99 min
  • LANGUAGE
    Swahili, English
  • SALES
    FilmCrew Media
    hey@filmcrew.media
    www.filmcrew.media
  • Press kit (Download PDF)