Kenyan Film ‘Supa Modo’ Selected for Oscars as ‘Rafiki’ is Rejected

Kenyan film ‘Supa Modo’ has been nominated to this year’s Academy Awards (Oscars). 

Supa Modo is a short movie that highlights the challenges encountered by a single mother and her family while handling a terminally ill child. 

The movie has been selected in the category of Best Foreign Language Film and is the only Kenyan film that has earned a place to the prestigious awards.

Here’s a trailer of the movie:

Controversial Kenyan lesbian-themed film ‘Rafiki’ missed out on Oscar nominations after failing to meet the threshold due to its ban in Kenya.

“At that time it remained banned, therefore presenting a challenge as it failed to meet the Oscar Academy requirements,” part of the statement from the awards organizers read.

Rafiki was banned by Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) on grounds it was promoting lesbianism contrary to the law but the ban was last week lifted by the High Court for seven days to allow for its screening.

The ban was lifted after its director Wanuri Kahiu moved to court to challenge KFCB’s decision. The lifting paved way for its screening in Kenya as required before being submitted for Oscars nomination.

Another Kenyan film, ‘Njata’, was also turned down after failing to satisfy the selection committee’s parameters.

“It did not have the minimum theatrical release time and Red Carpet premiere event as it was premiered at a community hall,” the statement read.