New Mountain Films has secured the North American rights for “Nawi: Dear Future Me,” which represents Kenya’s submission for the Best International Feature category at the 2025 Oscars.
This Kenyan-German drama, inspired by true events, tells the story of a 13-year-old girl in rural Kenya whose father trades her into marriage for livestock. On her wedding night, she makes a daring escape and embarks on a solitary journey to Nairobi, where she aims to pursue her education. When she discovers that her infant sister is coerced into taking her place, Nawi returns home to confront her family.
The film recently showcased its powerful narrative at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York. It is co-directed by Toby and Kevin Schmutzler, Apuu Mourine, and Vallentine Chelluget. The Schmutzlers penned the screenplay, based on a story by Milcah Cherotich.
Michelle Lemuya Ikeny makes her feature debut in the lead role.
“Nawi” has received several accolades, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Newcomer, a Special Jury Award at the Beijing International Film Festival (Tiantan Awards), and dual wins at the Raindance Film Festival.
The rights deal was negotiated directly between Sabbour and the film’s producers at FilmCrew Media: Kevin and Toby Schmutzler and producer Lydia Wrensch. New Mountain Films is planning a February 2026 theatrical release across the U.S. and Canada. Atlas International manages International sales.
In Kenya, the film has successfully raised $300,000 through its impact campaign, which aims to establish the country’s first all-girls boarding school. To reach remote villages, a mobile desert cinema tour is set to launch this summer. The initiative has garnered support from several organisations, including UNICEF, Girls Not Brides, and the Girls First Fund.
Khaled Sabbour, founder and CEO of New Mountain Films, remarked, “Nawi is the kind of story we feel compelled to share—brave, beautifully crafted, and impossible to ignore. It has garnered recognition from the global film community and sparked tangible change in the real world. We’re honoured to present it to North American audiences.”
