info@wifawards.rg
call for Voting 2nd February to 16th February 2026
“women don’t lack a voice, they have the voice, they need to feel empowered to use it and people need to be encouraged to listen”. -Meghan Markle
WIFA Organizing Team
Awards Founder/Director
Dr. Susan Gitimu is a Kenyan film scholar, curator, and leading advocate for women in the screen industries. She is the founder of the Women in Film Awards (WIFA), a flagship platform that recognizes and elevates women filmmakers and film professionals across East Africa, while fostering mentorship, visibility, and industry dialogue.
She holds a Ph.D. in Film Studies from Kenyatta University, where her research examined participatory film as a tool for social change among marginalized communities. Her academic and curatorial work is grounded in intersectionality, participatory practice, and cultural documentation.
Dr. Gitimu is also the co-editor of The Handbook of Women Filmmakers in Kenya, which formally archives and historicizes women’s contributions to Kenyan cinema. Through WIFA and her scholarly work, she continues to shape conversations on gender equity, authorship, and power within African film cultures.
Awards Producer
Denise Kibisu is a Kenyan film and television producer widely respected in the screen industry for her leadership in production and her commitment to telling stories that resonate with contemporary audiences — particularly those grounded in women’s experiences. She is popularly known within the industry by the moniker “Madam Producer”, a testament to her reputation, professionalism, and presence behind the camera
In addition to her film and television work, Denise plays an active role in community and industry initiatives that support women in film. She has served as a producer with the Women in Film Awards team, contributing to the growth of this platform that celebrates and uplifts female filmmakers across East Africa.
Awards Manager
Peninah Wanjiru-Azmina is a video editor and photographer. She is also a lecturer at KCA University. She is passionate about empowering the African storytellers. She is pursuing her masters in film at Kenyatta University. Her work bridges film education, research, and creative production, with a growing focus on new media and women-led storytelling.
“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
Awards Coordinator
Precious ‘presy’ Mghambi is a Kenya-based multidisciplinary artist, entrepreneur, and creative administrator with a strong commitment to supporting women in film and the wider creative industries. She serves as the awards coordinator, supporting the effective flow of organizational activities.
Beyond her role at WIFA, Precious is actively involved in the creative sector as a TV and film actor with five years of experience, as well as a singer and video editor. Her hands-on industry experience gives her a practical understanding of storytelling, collaboration, and production processes, enabling her to relate closely to the needs and realities of creatives.
