“If there’s specific resistance to women making movies, I just choose to ignore that as an obstacle for two reasons: I can’t change my gender, and I refuse to stop making movies.”

– Kathryn Bigelow

WIFA JURY 2026

The Women in Film Awards jury is a distinguished and diverse panel of individuals who play a crucial role in recognizing and celebrating the outstanding achievements of women in the film industry. The Jury team is comprised of industry experts, filmmakers and other professionals. This jury is tasked with the responsibility of carefully evaluating the submissions and nominees to determine the winners of various awards.

The jury operates with the utmost integrity and impartiality, ensuring that the evaluation process is fair and unbiased. Members uphold the highest standards of professionalism in their assessments, recognizing excellence in storytelling, direction, performance, and other key aspects of filmmaking.

Beyond the awards process, the Women in Film jury members actively advocate for greater inclusivity and representation within the industry. They strive to be catalysts for positive change, encouraging opportunities for women filmmakers and fostering an environment where diverse voices are heard. Their collective expertise, dedication to gender equality, and passion for storytelling make them instrumental in shaping the narrative of women’s contributions to the world of cinema.

SUKI WANZA- CHIEF JURY

Suki Wanza is a distinguished Kenyan stage and screen actor, filmmaker, educator, and cultural advocate whose work spans film, television, theatre, and community arts. Known for her dynamic presence both in front of the camera and on stage, Suki has starred in acclaimed productions such as the Kalasha‑nominated film Midlife Crisis and Sisters Alone, as well as television series including KINA on Maisha Magic Movies and MaEmpress. She has also appeared in popular local projects like Masaibu ya Njugush.

Beyond her artistic work, Suki is deeply committed to arts education and community development. She serves as an adjunct lecturer at KCA University, where she teaches film and theatre units and develops curriculum, and she trains young performers in acting and performance skills.

Suki Wanza’s career reflects a deep commitment to nurturing artistic talent, expanding representation in film and theatre, and using the arts as a platform for social engagement, cultural expression, and community transformation.

RAHAB KIMANI

Rahab is a skilled professional with over a decade of experience in the creative industry in Kenya specializing in content marketing, acquisitions and distribution.

With a keen eye for identifying compelling content, she excels in promoting films and forging strategic partnerships within the Film industry.

Rahab’s expertise lies in crafting innovative marketing strategies that enhance visibility and audience engagement. Her insights into market trends and her commitment to fostering emerging talent elevating diverse voices in cinema drive her work in the ever-evolving landscape of film marketing.

Grace Kahaki Munthali

Grace Kahaki  is an award winning multi talented filmmaker with an unmatched passion for her craft.  

She is an established Director and Producer in the Kenyan film industry. Grace has directed and produced over 15 TV series and TV commercials,  e.g. Single Kiasi, Chocolate Empire on Showmax, Kash Money on Netflix, and Married to Work on Netflix. Grace was awarded Best TV Drama Director at the Women in Film Awards 2023.
 

Peninahrose Njoki (PR)

Peninarose Njoki is a Kenyan film professional with experience in directing, assistant directing, script supervision, and production management across film and television projects. She’s also known in film circles by the credit Peninarose “PR” Njoki.

Her work reflects active participation in Kenya’s dynamic film community, particularly within production departments that support storytelling from behind the camera. Peninarose’s credits on both film and television demonstrate versatility and a commitment to advancing quality visual storytelling in East Africa.

Peninarose was honoured at the Women in Film Awards (WIFA) 2022 where she was nominated for and received recognition in the Best Assistant Director category, underscoring her growing impact in Kenyan filmmaking and contribution to crew excellence.

WAIRIMU NGUYO

Wairimu Nguyo (a.k.a Nimmo) is a two-time nominee for the best female animator category for the Women in Film Awards. In 2022, she was selected to be a 2D animation trainer for an animation bootcamp hosted by GIZ GmbH and Kenya Film Commission (KFC). She produced and directed an animation called Tucheze, which was the product of the bootcamp. She hold a Bachelors Degree in Film Production and Animation from Multimedia University of Kenya (MMUK) and a Master of Arts in 3D Animation from Buckingham New University. She lectures animation at Multimedia University of Kenya with more than seven years of experience. She also has experience in animation curriculum development and has been a jury for several film festivals. She enjoys animation because it is the art of telling stories through visuals and imagination is our only limit.

See www.wairimunguyo.com

for more details.