Gilbert Lukalia

Last updated
Gilbert Lukalia
NationalityKenyan
Occupation(s)Actor and Film director
Notable workPray and Prey
Shattered
Mission to Rescue

Gilbert Lukalia is a Kenyan actor and film director. [1] [2]

Contents

Career

Lukalia grew up in a military family and began his early career as a stage actor at the Kenya National Theatre. [2] He has also worked in multiple different positions in the film industry: as an assistant director and producer [2] He is currently working at the Nairobi based Dream House Productions, which produces theatre plays, music events, TV-series and films both for Tv and big screen [2] [3]

He has acted and directed award-winning feature films and TV series in Kenya including Mission to Rescue , Shattered , Pray and Prey , Lost in Africa and the First Grader .

Mission to Rescue was in 2021 selected as Kenya's submission at the 94th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.

He has also directed some international films such as The Marshal of Finland . [4] [5] The film's world premiere was at The Helsinki International Love & Anarchy Film Festival on 28 September 2012.

He also directed Strength of A Woman in 2014 where it received nominations at the 2014 Kalasha Awards [6] and won five awards. [2] It won awards for Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Lighting and Best Original Score. [7] It had stars renowned Kenyan actors with Rose K. Njoroge taking the lead role and Laura Leila Wingate, Ashford Kirimi, Sandra Dhacha taking up supporting roles which they expertly and vividly depict. [2]

Filmography

As Director

YearTitleCategory
2011Shattered [8] Drama
2012The Marshal of Finland [9] Drama
2012Drunk Dead [10] Drama
2013Exposure [11] Drama
2014Double Trouble [12] Drama
2014Malaika Nights [13] TV Movie
2014The Hands That Feeds You [14] TV Movie
2014Gun Theory [15] TV Movie
2015Strength of a Woman [16]
2014 - 2015Pray & Prey [17] TV Series
2021Mission to Rescue [18] Action

Thriller

2022 - 2024Salem [19] TV Series
2023Kiza [20] Drama
20241992 [21] Short film
2025Reckless [22] TV Series

As Actor

YearTitleCategory
2009 - 2013Nairobi Law [23] TV Series
2009The Resurrection [24] Short film
2010Lost in Africa [25] Drama

Thriller

2013It's Us [26] Drama
2014Strata [27] TV Mini Series
2017Kidnapped [28] Thriller
2017Pendo [29] Short film
2019Chuma [30] Short film
2021Akinyi [31] Short film
2021Mission to RescueAction

Thriller

2022Kam U Stay [32] TV Series
20211992Short film

Awards and Nominatations

YearAwardWorkCategoryResults
2010 Kalasha International Film and TV Awards SiriBest Lead Actor in a TV Drama [33] Nominated
2011Best Lead Actor in a TV Drama [34] Nominated
2012ShatteredBest Director [35] Nominated
2014The Marshal of FinlandBest Supporting Actor in a Film [36] Nominated
2017KidnappedBest Supporting Actor in a Film [37] Nominated
2021 African Movie Academy Awards Mission to RescueBest Director [38] Nominated

References

  1. "Kenya Submits 'Mission To Rescue' for Oscars". The Kenya Forum. 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Kenyan Award Winning Film 'Strength of A Woman' to Premiere During International Women's Day Weekend". Mwende Ngao. 2015-02-27. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  3. Muendo, Stevens. "Hope as theatre lights up again". The Standard. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  4. "What would happen if you made a film about a key figure in Finnish history and cast Kenyan actors?". africasacountry.com. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  5. Stephenson, William (February 2000). Miller, Gilbert Heron (1884-1969), theatrical producer and director. American National Biography Online. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1800835.
  6. "The complete list of the 2014 Kalasha film and TV Awards winners". Capital Lifestyle. 2014-07-29. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  7. Gachango, Rayhab (2015-03-04). "Strength of a Woman - Movie review". Potentash. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  8. Lukalia, Gilbert K. (2011-11-25), Shattered (Drama), Rita Dominic, Allan Adika, Melvin Alusa, Dream House Productions, retrieved 2025-08-21
  9. Lukalia, Gilbert K. (2012-09-28), Suomen Marsalkka (Drama), Telley Savalas Otieno, Beatrice Wangui, Ruth Maingi, Filmistuudio Kalevipojad, Savane Productions, Yleisradio (YLE), retrieved 2025-08-21
  10. Lukalia, Gilbert K. (2012-10-27), Drunk Dead (Drama), Mike Awiti, Dainna Berrecket, Katherine Damaris, Sinema Sisi, retrieved 2025-08-21
  11. Lukalia, Gilbert K., Exposure, Elsaphan Njora, retrieved 2025-08-21
  12. Lukalia, Gilbert K., Double Trouble, Iddi Achieng, Joyce Maina, Brian Ogola, retrieved 2025-08-21
  13. Lukalia, Gilbert K., Malaika Nights (Drama), Charity Nyambura, Mike Rewa, Caroline Wanjie, Zamaradi Productions, retrieved 2025-08-21
  14. Lukalia, Gilbert K., The Hand That Feeds You (Drama), Robert Agengo, Eddie Mbugua, Gloria Moraa, Zamaradi Productions, retrieved 2025-08-21
  15. Lukalia, Gilbert K., Gun Theory (Drama), Vera Atsango, Gerald Langiri, Arabron Nyyeneque, Zamaradi Productions, retrieved 2025-08-21
  16. Lukalia, Gilbert K. (2015-03-05), Strength of a Woman (Drama), Rose K. Njoroge, Sandra Dacha, Ashford Kirimi, Pickpoint Productions, retrieved 2025-08-21
  17. Pray & Prey (Drama), Amalie Chopetta, Pascal Tokodi, Mbuthia Ngware, 2014-12-02, retrieved 2025-08-21{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  18. Lukalia, Gilbert K. (2021-07-02), Mission to Rescue (Action, Thriller), Melvin Alusa, Warsame Abdi, Abdi Yusuf, Foxton Media, retrieved 2025-08-21
  19. Salem (Drama), Melvin Alusa, Dennis Ndirangu Drisky, Illya Frank, Zebra Productions Kenya, 2022-04-25, retrieved 2025-08-21{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  20. Lukalia, Gilbert K. (2023-11-24), Kiza (Drama), Robert Agengo, Dedan Juma, Gitura Kamau, Double Pearl Production, retrieved 2025-08-21
  21. Lukalia, Gilbert K. (2024-09-06), 1992 (Short, Drama), Susan Joanitah Njuguna, Enock Kalungi, Charles Kiarie, Blackwell Films, Docubox EADFF, retrieved 2025-08-21
  22. Reckless (Drama), Brian Abajah, Georgina Mbira, Eddie Mbugua, Live Eye TV, 2025-06-23, retrieved 2025-08-21{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  23. Nairobi Law (Drama), Pinky Ghelani, Martin Githinji, Eddy Kimani, 2009-03-04, retrieved 2025-08-21{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  24. Nchogu, Vincho (2009-09-22), The Resurrection (Short, Drama), Evelyn Akinyi, Clement Arua, Bertha Kangongoi, Big Ideas Entertainment, retrieved 2025-08-21
  25. Muasya, Vibeke (2010-10-07), Kidnappet (Drama, Family, Thriller), Connie Nielsen, Lars Mikkelsen, Simon Larsen, SF Studios, Windelov Productions, retrieved 2025-08-21
  26. Reding, Nick, Ni sisi (Comedy, Drama, Romance), Kongo Abdalah, Mwajuma Bahati, Alfred Calypso, retrieved 2025-08-21
  27. Strata (Drama), Omfwoko Aswani, Gilbert K. Lukalia, Sabina Stadler, Et Cetera Productions, 2014-08-22, retrieved 2025-08-21{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  28. Njache, Mwaniki, Kidnapped (Thriller), Lydia Gitachu, John Kararahe, Daniel Katungi, Machawood, Wordypix Company, retrieved 2025-08-21
  29. Musembi, Faith (2017-11-11), Pendo (Short, Drama), Gilbert K. Lukalia, Olwenya Maina, retrieved 2025-08-21
  30. Musembi, Faith (2019-11-22), Chuma (Short, Sci-Fi), Gilbert K. Lukalia, Ibrahim Muchemi, Adaeze Imani Muga, Faimus Films, retrieved 2025-08-21
  31. Oduor, Ignatius (2021-01-08), Akinyi (Short, Drama), Neema Bagamuhunda, Catherine Enane, Brian Kyallo-Msafiri, Revolutionary Pictures, retrieved 2025-08-21
  32. Kam U Stay (Comedy), Reinhard Bonke, Escay Gitonga, Kevin Kasyoki, Hadithi Media, 2024-01-11, retrieved 2025-08-21{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  33. Siri, Iddi Achieng, Rose Masaka Adagala, Major Aguda, Benarts Media Creations, Maxsyl Art Productions, retrieved 2025-08-21{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  34. Siri, Iddi Achieng, Rose Masaka Adagala, Major Aguda, Benarts Media Creations, Maxsyl Art Productions, retrieved 2025-08-21{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  35. Lukalia, Gilbert K. (2011-11-25), Shattered (Drama), Rita Dominic, Allan Adika, Melvin Alusa, Dream House Productions, retrieved 2025-08-21
  36. Lukalia, Gilbert K. (2012-09-28), Suomen Marsalkka (Drama), Telley Savalas Otieno, Beatrice Wangui, Ruth Maingi, Filmistuudio Kalevipojad, Savane Productions, Yleisradio (YLE), retrieved 2025-08-21
  37. Njache, Mwaniki, Kidnapped (Thriller), Lydia Gitachu, John Kararahe, Daniel Katungi, Machawood, Wordypix Company, retrieved 2025-08-21
  38. Lukalia, Gilbert K. (2021-07-02), Mission to Rescue (Action, Thriller), Melvin Alusa, Warsame Abdi, Abdi Yusuf, Foxton Media, retrieved 2025-08-21