With an impressive seven festival selections, 26 nominations and 12 awards in
Kenya and America already, the true story from Migori – Kenya: Where the river divides, will feature on Africa Day, for the May 2024 edition of #WeWatchKenyan with MyMovies.Africa at OUT Reality, The Mall (basement) in Westlands – Nairobi, on Saturday May 25 2024, from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.
Screening, question and answer with the cast and crew will take place from 7.30pm-9.00pm, created by YAKWETU. #WeWatchKenyan with MyMovies.Africa is a monthly watch party aimed at promoting local film and content, as well as building a community of Kenyan creatives who actually watch Kenyan content.
Where the river divides is a gripping 1979 true story about – Dennis (Gadwill Odhiambo), the son of a clan elder – Okoth Benjamin Onyango, returning home to his village in Thimlich Ohinga, Migori County in Kenya, following his baptism. Dennis must choose whether to inherit his father’s legacy, or fulfil his newfound purpose, which risks his life.
The short film’s director and editor – M.D. Neely of the executive producers – Christ In Youth (CIY), from Missouri – USA, shall be in attendance via Zoom. “For me, Where the river divides is ultimately about sacrifice”, he says. “What am I willing to sacrifice to follow the call that God has placed on my life? Dennis’ story has challenged and inspired me. Also, I am so humbled and proud to have worked with such an incredibly talented and passionate group of artists from Kenya and America, to tell this story.”
Since its premiere in August 2023, Where the river divides has been winning awards, like:
1. Best Kenyan short at Under Our Skin Festival for Human Rights, in Kenya.
2. Best short narrative at Zion International Film Festival, USA.
3. Best cinematographer at Mombasa International Film Festival, Kenya.
4. Best editor at Mombasa International Film Festival, Kenya.
5. Bronze crown award winner for best evangelistic film at International Christian Visual Media (ICVM) Crown Awards, USA.
6. Best short film at Kitale Film Week, Kenya.
7. Most watched film on MyMovies.Africa by a female producer (Matrid Nyagah) at the 5th Women In Film Awards (WIFA), Kenya.
It was also officially selected for Sauti Zetu Film Festival in Tanzania, Botswana International Film Festival and Global Film Exhibition in USA; as well as being nominated for Best Indigenous Film in East Africa, at the 10th Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA).
Where the river divides also secured the 2nd highest number of nominations, with 14, at the prestigious 13th annual KALASHA International film & TV awards, and went on to win five, namely:
1. Best short film – Matrid Nyagah and M.D. Neely.
2. Best lead actor – Gadwill Odhiambo.
3. Best original screenplay – Matt Black.
4. Best production design – Nancy Aluoch.
5. Best costume design – Eddah Wakesho.
Celebrating their trophy haul at the Kalasha Awards, M.D. Neely (Director of Best Short Film) and Matt Black (Best original screenplay) will join via Zoom, the In-Person Panel of Gadwill Odhiambo (Best lead actor), Nancy Aluoch (Best production design), and Matrid Nyagah (Producer of best short film), hosted by Natha of Talk fim to me Podcast, at #WeWatchKenyan with MyMovies.Africa.
“We are so proud of the cast & crew for this beautiful film!”, says Mr. Mike Strano, co-founder and chief operations officer of YAKWETU – the distributor. “Students, professionals and fans of the Kenya Film Industry should attend #WeWatchKenyan with MyMovies.Africa™ to Learn the Secrets of their
Success!”
Tickets are on offer from KES 349; and discounts are available for duos, trios, squads & groups here.
Details of the tickets include:
✓ Screening of Where the river divides.
✓ An engaging post-screening question & answer, with the talented cast and crew.
✓ A free seven-day rental of Where the river divides, exclusively on MyMovies.Africa to rewatch with family and friends at home! Where the river divides was produced by Christ In Youth (CIY), in collaboration with Good News Productions International – Africa and Fearless Films.
