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Boniface Mwangi’s “Softie” the film has been nominated for Outstanding Politics and Government Documentary feature in the 2021 Emmy Awards. The film has been shortlisted among 52 other documentaries.
The nomination was announced through 'POV on PBS' twitter account. POV is an American Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) public television series which features independent nonfiction films. POV is an initialism for point of view.
POV is the longest-running showcase on television for independent documentary films. PBS presents 14–16 POV programs each year, and the series has premiered over 400 films to U.S. television audiences since 1988.
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Softie was written and directed by Sam Soko and produced by Toni Kamau. The film follows Boniface Mwangi’s life, through his activism, protests and attempts to enter Kenya’s political scene. It also explores the impact his activism has had on his life and family.
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PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 24: Boniface Mwangi, Njeri Mwangi, and Sam Soko from Softie pose for a portrait at the Pizza Hut Lounge on January 24, 2020 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Emily Assiran/Getty Images for Pizza Hut)
The film captures Boniface Mwangi’s journey through the 2017 election period. Despite coming face to face with numerous political hurdles, he decides to soldier on with support from his wife, Njeri.
Soko initially intended to create a short film but at some point, he decided to fully capture Mwangi’s protests through the streets, his activism and campaign journey.
The film premiered in January 2020 at Sundance where it proceeded to win the special jury prize for editing. The film got overwhelming response and consequently, won the Best Documentary at the Durban International Film Festival 2020.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 25: Film subjects Njeri Mwangi, Jabali Mboya Mwangi, Nate Siphiwe Mwangi, Boniface Mwangi and Naila Sifa Mwangi attend the 2020 Sundance Film Festival - "Softie" Premiere at Park Avenue Screening Room on January 25, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jeremy Chan/Getty Images)
In October last year, Kenyans got a chance to watch the film across several screens in Eldoret (Rupa Cinema), Mombasa (Nyali Cinemax), Kisumu (Mega Cinema) and at Prestige Cinema, Anga Diamond Plaza, Motion Cinema and Westgate Cinema, in Nairobi.
The film has already won a Special Jury Award for Editing at Sundance, America’s premier film platform, the Best Documentary at this year’s Durban International Film Festival.
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Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi is arrested during a protest in Nairobi on February 13, 2014. The demonstration entitled "State of the Nation" was held to protest against rising cases of corruption in the government, lack of safety in public places, high unemployment, and poverty. AFP PHOTO / STRINGER (Photo credit should read -/AFP via Getty Images)
Recently, the film was awarded the Willy Brandt Documentary Award for Freedom and Human Rights at the Human Rights Film Festival Berlin (HRFFB).
Last year saw the film qualify for consideration for the Oscar Awards shortlist in the category of Best Documentary Feature and was among more than 40 documentaries shortlisted in the category.
The Emmy is considered one of the four major entertainment awards in the United States, the others being, the Grammy for music, the Oscar for film and the Tony for theatre.