| Softie | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Sam Soko |
| Written by | Sam Soko |
| Produced by | Toni Kamau Sam Soko |
| Starring | Boniface Mwangi Njeri Mwangi |
| Cinematography | Chris Rhys Howarth Joel 'Ingo' Ngui Sam Soko |
| Edited by | Mila Aung-Thwin Ryan Mullins Sam Soko |
| Music by | Olivier Alary Johannes Malfatti |
Production companies | LBx Africa We Are not the Machine Eye Steel Film |
| Distributed by | Icarus Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 96 min |
| Country | Kenya |
| Language | English |
Softie is a 2020 Kenyan film, [1] based on the life of political activist [2] and photojournalist Boniface Mwangi and his family. The film, directed by Sam Soko (it is Soko's first feature documentary [3] ) first premiered internationally at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival [4] where it won a special jury prize for editing [5] . Softie, which premiered in Kenya on October 16, 2020, also won the Best Documentary at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) 2020 [6] . An award that has qualified the film for consideration for the Oscar documentary [7] shortlist for the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony. [8]
The film has been screened at international film festivals [9] including the Copenhagen International Documentary Festival, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and at the Encounters Festival South Africa where it won Best Film. [10] Softie was also the opening film [11] at the Hotdocs Film Festival and at the Human Rights Festival held in Berlin. [12]
The film tells the story of the protagonist Boniface Mwangi nicknamed "Softie," Kenyan slang for "wimp," in his childhood years but who has ironically turned out as one of the most daring and audacious activists in Kenya at the forefront of fighting injustices in the country. His activism and the constant danger the path he has chosen poses to his life and that of his family create tremendous turmoil between him and his wife Njeri Mwangi, who is protective of her family.
The film chronicles the activist's seven-year journey beginning with chaos-filled street protests and culminating in Boniface's decision to run for a political seat in his childhood neighborhood, Starehe constituency, where he is confronted by the reality of challenging strong political dynasties.
| Awarding organisation | Category | Year | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sundance Film Festival | Grand Jury Prize | 2020 | Sam Soko | Nominated |
| Sundance Film Festival | Editting Award | 2020 | Mila Aung-Thwin Ryan Mullins Sam Soko | Won |
| Bregen International Film Festival | Checkpoints Awards | 2020 | Sam Soko | Nominated |
| Durban International Film Festival | Best Documentary | 2020 | Softie | Won |
| International Documentary Award | Best Feature | 2021 | Sam Soko Toni Kamau | Nominated |
| PGA Awards | Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures | 2021 | Sam Soko Toni Kamau | Nominated |
| Cinema for Peace Awards | Cinema for Peace Dove for The Political Film of the Year | 2021 | Softie | Nominated |
| Cinema Eye Honors Awards, US | The Unforgettables | 2021 | Boniface Mwangi | Won |
| Cinema Eye Honors Awards, US | Outstanding Achievement in a Debut Feature Film | 2021 | Sam Soko | Nominated |
| One World Media Awards | Best Feature Documentary | 2021 | Softie | Nominated |
| African Movie Academy Awards | Best Documentary | 2021 | Softie | Won |
| Guanajuato International Film Festival | Best international Documentary Feature | 2020 | Sam Soko | Nominated |
| El Gouna Film Festival | Feature Documentary Competition (Golden Star) | 2020 | Softie | Nominated |
| El Gouna Film Festival | Feature Documentary Competition (Silver Star) | 2020 | Softie | Won |
| History Film Festival | Best Independent Film | 2021 | Softie | Won |