‘Nawi’ Star Michelle Lemuya Ikeny Thought She Was Auditioning for a School Play But Ended up in Kenya’s Oscar Submission About Child Marriage

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Greetings to My Future Self,, a heartfelt Kenyan-German coming-of-age drama about child marriage named “Nawi,” was submitted as Kenya’s entry for the ‘Best International Feature Film’ category at the 2025 Oscars. This powerful film has generated significant buzz in Kenya, at international film festivals, and beyond.

During the latest Beijing International Film Festival, the jury established a unique honorary award to highlight it. Subsequently, on a Friday, the film received two accolades at the Raindance Film Festival held in London: one for the best international feature and another for the outstanding performance in a debut feature, which went to its leading actress Michelle Lemuya Ikeny.

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At the recent Beijing International Film Festival, a special honorary award was introduced by the jury to draw attention to it. Later on, during the Raindance Film Festival in London on a Friday, the film earned two awards – one for best international feature and another for the standout performance in a debut feature, which went to its actress Michelle Lemuya Ikeny.

The 15-year-old Kenyan lady appeared in the film when she was 12 years old. Her acting as a resilient young girl fighting against child marriage to pursue education and personal freedom has received acclaim for its depth and charm.

In the conversation with Georg Szalai from THR, she explained that she believed she was auditioning for a school play but unexpectedly got cast in Kenya’s submission for the Oscars. She discussed how her personal experiences in her community closely resemble those of her character Nawi, and her desire to inspire and empower young girls as well as the audience. Lastly, they touched upon whether she plans to pursue further acting opportunities.

Were you always determined to be an actress, or is there a story behind landing the role in this film?
Growing up, I never envisioned myself pursuing acting as a career, but I’m multifaceted with many passions and dreams. The opportunity to audition for this role didn’t even cross my mind initially; I thought it was just a school drama production. I decided to participate and give it a shot. After that, we underwent a two-week training session with an acting coach in Kenya. What truly captivated me about the role and motivated me to accept it was the film’s narrative. It spoke to my heart because it centered around girls similar to those from my hometown, and it served as a powerful advocate for their rights. I couldn’t turn down such an opportunity. To be honest, I had no prior knowledge of what acting entailed or how it was done, but I was eager to learn.

How did you manage to depict the feelings of a child bride so accurately? The key was my personal interactions with these girls who had been forced into early marriage. I consider them my friends; we’ve shared our lives together. So, when they experienced such hardships, I witnessed it firsthand. This made it easier for me to portray their emotions as I know them and understand how they felt. I simply tried to recall, “My friends felt this way, she didn’t want this to happen, and this is how she reacted.

Of all aspects of acting, what proved most challenging for you?
Given that I hail from the very same Turkana community portrayed in the film, taking on this role presented a significant dilemma. This is because, to my community, it might seem as if I’m going against them, disregarding their traditions and customs. In essence, I would be seen as defying long-held beliefs. As a woman, making such a decision can be particularly tough, as the community may perceive me as a traitor. Therefore, the hardest part for me was deciding to play this role in the first place.

Additionally, the feelings were tough to navigate, given that it was my inaugural attempt at this endeavor. Acting on camera and during filming is distinct from genuine emotions. A day could be fantastic for you personally, but professionally, you’re expected to portray sadness. However, I was fortunate enough to have exceptional mentors throughout the process. The directors were particularly gracious, providing me with invaluable guidance.

How did you feel when you learned that two gentlemen from Germany were producing a film about your nation, given their deep appreciation for its history and traditions? It struck me as both surprising and impressive, considering the vast distance between our continents. I found it a commendable initiative, especially since locals haven’t attempted something similar. However, what intrigued me was their focus on highlighting the plight of young girls in early marriage, a cause I’ve long been passionate about. So, I viewed their effort as a positive one and looked forward to collaborating with them. Our aim remains to eradicate this practice altogether.

How have audiences in Kenya and your local community reacted to the movie? Since its release, there’s been a lot of favorable responses from our viewers. The younger generation, in particular, has shown great enthusiasm for it. They seem more empowered now and we’re noticing voices that were once silenced in the past are being heard again.

Regarding the elderly men who are involved, some may still harbor doubts about the issue at hand, yet they’re precisely the ones we aim to reach with our film. Prior to its release, such conversations were rare, as this topic was often overlooked or avoided. Now, however, there’s a growing wave of individuals speaking out against it, finding courage they didn’t know they had. The movie has sparked numerous discussions that once seemed impossible. We’ve even screened it for high school girls, who have written letters to their future selves as Nawi does in the film. I believe this film has empowered them to dream boldly and stand up for themselves without fear.

It appears the film has done remarkably well, not just in Kenya and Turkana, but also across various regions globally, securing screenings and awards. Does the idea of creating a global ripple appeal to you? I must confess, I never anticipated our work reaching such far-flung places. But with its global reach, it’s heartening to see that so many are now aware of the issues we face here. It feels fantastic to know that our efforts are making a tangible difference. The outpouring of support from individuals worldwide is truly humbling. People are reaching out to us, eager to assist the girls, to bring an end to this situation. It’s gratifying to see the world unveil the truth that has been hidden for so long. I can’t help but feel a sense of relief and gratitude as we receive positive feedback and offers of support from people all over.

It was quite a surprise to learn that your debut film has been submitted for the International Feature Film Oscar by Kenya! I was elated because this means the movie will receive more visibility, which is crucial for spreading the message. Being connected in any way with the Oscars is a big deal for me, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Am I viewed as a rebel or an activist?
If others see me as a rebel, an activist, or even a rebellious teenager, it’s all the same to me, as long as I can share my message with the world and fight for justice for these girls. I am prepared to break any rules that protect their lives and help them live a life they choose for themselves. I stand ready to advocate for this cause.

What’s your current academic status and how many more years do you have left before you finish high school? I’m 15 years old and I’m in my sophomore year of high school. I still have two years of high school, followed by another national exam. Last year, I was in the final year of primary school, and we also took our national exams while at school. I attend school in Nairobi, but we’re currently on a one-week break from home.

Are you considering taking on more acting roles in the future?
Absolutely, I’m contemplating doing more acting as I believe film offers a beautiful means of storytelling and communicating messages to society. However, I’m also committed to my education and ensuring that my academic performance remains strong. There are many aspirations I have, and in my community, there are girls who haven’t had the chance to receive an education. So, I value my educational opportunity and strive to work hard in my studies.

Are you curious if I might be interested in attending an acting academy? To be honest, I’ve got quite a few passions simmering inside me. I don’t want to limit myself to just one path in life. Instead, I’d like to explore various careers and take on numerous endeavors because it makes my journey more exciting. And yes, attending an acting academy is definitely something that appeals to me. But so are medical school, engineering, and perhaps even law. Right now, I’m just sorting through all these possibilities. I’ll find a way, I always do!

I appreciate your patience. Before we conclude, do you have any additional insights?
It seems to me that our current circumstances and ongoing events are largely shaped by the actions and decisions made by the previous generation in my society. That’s why things are as they are. I must say, I truly admire the film Nawi, as it portrays a narrative that earlier generations could not or dared not share with others. Consequently, I would like to encourage people to find their voice and not let societal traditions dictate who they become. For instance, I’d tell a young woman: You can achieve anything! You are more than just a wife; there are countless possibilities for you in life beyond that role. The film Nawi conveys a message that earlier generations could not or would not express openly. Essentially, it invites us to dream big, stay optimistic, and believe that we can become anything we aspire to be.

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2025-06-27 15:25