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The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) through its chief executive officer Ezekiel Mutua has congratulated winners of the just-concluded Kisima Film and Music Awards.

KFCB was the title sponsor of the latest edition, which was making a comeback after a seven-year hiatus.

The invite-only event went down on Sunday at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, characterised by the usual showbiz razzmatazz.

The organisers had promised a flawless process that embraced a Pan-African outlook adding film categories to their repertoire, thus it was a no brainer when ‘clean’ content champions KFCB sponsored the rejuvenated awarding ceremony.

According to Mutua, KFCB’s partnership with Kisima Awards was a perfect nexus with their ‘Sinema Mashinani’ initiative. Further, they had agreed to partner in nurturing raw talent with emphasis on ‘clean’ content.

It was a jubilant moment for Zamaradi Media, as their film Dream Child scooped the Clean Content award and the Sh1 million cash prize.

This was in tandem with efforts to promote child friendly content and to encourage compliance with content regulations and procedures, including adherence to film licensing and classification guidelines.

Mutua said after the event: “We stand on the pedestal of promoting clean content, and we shall remain focused, morality cannot be traded as art. We have been consistent with our moral message for three years now and intend to recruit even more ambassadors next year.”

Dream Child was nominated in five categories including Best Feature Film, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.

KFCB sponsored the awards with an agreement that artistes with clean content, rooted in the African story and those that promote clean morals would be feted.

“The more we support clean content by rewarding creatives, especially at a time when Covid-19 has rendered most artistes jobless, the more they can tell clean African stories,” said Mutua.

He also congratulated boy group Mbogi Genje who had made a surprise win in the Best Group category beating Sauti Sol to the gong. “They have made a statement; I think I will learn sheng!” he tweeted.

The film regulatory body sponsored the awards ceremony to the tune of Sh5 million, with an emphasis that its mandate is to protect children and not to gag consumption.

The event was also attended by Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa and former Nairobi Town clerk Philip Kisia.