Kenyan Premiere of Widow Champion: A Powerful Documentary Spotlighting Widows’ Land Rights

Nairobi, Kenya, May 1, 2026, Nairobi’s film and creative community is set to host the Kenyan premiere of Widow Champion, a compelling new documentary by award-winning filmmaker Zippy Kimundu. The screening will take place at Unseen Cinema, offering audiences a rare opportunity to engage with one of the most urgent social justice stories in Kenya today.

A Story of Resilience and Resistance

Widow Champion (95 minutes; Luo, Swahili, English) follows the powerful journey of Rodah Nafula, a Kenyan widow who transforms personal tragedy into collective action. After being forcibly evicted from her land by in-laws following her husband’s death, Rodah rises to become a fierce advocate for widows’ land rights in a deeply patriarchal society.

Through an intimate, fly-on-the-wall storytelling approach, the film captures Rodah’s work as she helps other widows reclaim their land, dignity, and independence. Her story is both deeply personal and broadly reflective of systemic challenges faced by widows across rural Kenya.

“Because I passed through this before, I can tell them there is still a future…” Rodah Nafula

Global Recognition, Local Impact

Since its debut, Widow Champion has gained international acclaim, premiering at major festivals including the HotDocs Canadian International Documentary Festival, Munich International Film Festival, and the Tribeca Film Festival.

Now, its Kenyan premiere marks a significant milestone, bringing the story home, where its impact is most meaningful. The screening is part of broader efforts to raise awareness around widows’ land rights, in collaboration with organizations like Landesa and Stand for Her Land.

Beyond Film: Driving Social Change

More than just a documentary, Widow Champion is part of a growing social impact movement. Partnering with grassroots organizations such as Come Together Widows and Orphans (CTWOO), the film aims to influence policymakers, engage civil society, and amplify conversations around land ownership and gender equality in Kenya.

Exclusive Access to the Filmmaker

Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a group discussion and one-on-one interviews with director Zippy Kimundu. This provides a deeper look into the film’s journey, from international festivals to its Kenyan audience, and the real-world change it seeks to inspire.

Event Details

• Event: Widow Champion Kenyan Premiere
• Date: Friday, 1st May 2026
• Time: 5:00 PM
• Venue: Unseen Cinema
• Access: RSVP required

Film Stills Captions

• Rodah sits with her children outside their home in Kisumu, Kenya.
• Rodah and Mary discuss the realities of widowhood in Kenya.
• Rodah and fellow widows collaborate to build a home for Mary.
• A light moment shared between Rodah and Mary’s sister-in-law.
• Rodah walks through rice fields in Kisumu to support another widow.

Why This Film Matters

In a country where cultural traditions often collide with evolving rights frameworks, Widow Champion offers a timely and necessary lens into the lived realities of widows. It is a story of courage, community, and transformation, one that challenges audiences to reflect, engage, and act.

For Nairobi’s film lovers, creatives, and changemakers, this premiere is more than just a screening, it’s a moment to witness storytelling as a tool for justice.