Softie, a film based on the life of renowned political activist Boniface Mwangi is set to have its Kenyan premiere on October 16, following its international premiere in January 2020 at the Sundance International Film Festival in the US.

The film, which revolves around Boniface Mwangi’s activism, political ambitions and conflict with family, has already won several awards and received great reviews, following it’s screening at prestigious film festivals across the globe.

The film won a special jury prize for editing during it’s premiere at the Sundance festival and also won Best Film at the Encounters International Documentary Festival in South Africa.

Softie also won Best Documentary at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) 2020, an award that has qualified the film for consideration for the Oscar documentary shortlist for the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

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The film chronicles a 7 year journey beginning with chaos filled street protests and culminating in Boniface’s decision to run for a political seat in his old neighbourhood Starehe. He soon finds that challenging strong political dynasties is putting his family at risk. His wife, Njeri, has long been silent in the background. The decision to run put her and the family on the spot. This brings forth a central question that many of the world’s brightest and most effective changemakers have had to ask Themselves, ‘What comes first – family or country?’

Softie is directed by director and producer Sam Soko and is his first documentary.