{{Short description|Kenyan actor and film director}} {{BLP sources|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Gilbert Lukalia | citizenship = Kenyan | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|Writer|Director}} | years_active = 2009–present | known_for = The Marshal of Finland | notable_works = Pray and Prey<br>Shattered<br>Mission to Rescue }} '''Gilbert Lukalia''' is a Kenyan actor and film director.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-28|title=Kenya Submits 'Mission To Rescue' for Oscars|url=https://www.kenyaforum.net/arts-sports-culture/kenya-submits-mission-to-rescue-for-oscars/|access-date=2021-11-08|website=The Kenya Forum|language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|date=2015-02-27|title=Kenyan Award Winning Film 'Strength of A Woman' to Premiere During International Women's Day Weekend|url=http://www.mwendengao.com/2015/02/27/kenyan-award-winning-film-strength-of-a-woman-to-premiere-during-international-womens-day-weekend/|access-date=2021-11-18|website=Mwende Ngao|language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Career== Lukalia grew up in a military family and began his early career as a stage actor at the Kenya National Theatre.<ref name="auto"/> He has also worked in multiple positions in the film industry: as an assistant director and producer<ref name="auto"/> 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<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Muendo|first=Stevens|title=Hope as theatre lights up again|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sunday-magazine/article/2001420237/hope-as-theatre-lights-up-again|access-date=2021-11-11|website=The Standard|language=en}}</ref>
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''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What would happen if you made a film about a key figure in Finnish history and cast Kenyan actors?|url=https://africasacountry.com/2012/10/finlands-history-of-war-in-swahili/|access-date=2021-11-08|website=africasacountry.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Stephenson|first=William|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1800835|title=Miller, Gilbert Heron (1884–1969), theatrical producer and director|date=February 2000|publisher=Oxford University Press|series=American National Biography Online|doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1800835 }}</ref> 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<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-07-29|title=The complete list of the 2014 Kalasha film and TV Awards winners|url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/lifestyle/2014/07/29/the-complete-list-of-the-2014-kalasha-film-and-tv-awards-winners/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=Capital Lifestyle|language=en-US}}</ref> and won five awards.<ref name="auto"/> It won awards for Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Lighting and Best Original Score.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gachango|first=Rayhab|date=2015-03-04|title=Strength of a Woman – Movie review|url=https://www.potentash.com/2015/03/04/strength-woman-movie-review/|access-date=2021-11-18|website=Potentash|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref name="auto" />
==Filmography== ===As Director=== {| class="wikitable" |+ ! Year ! Title ! Category |- |2011 || Shattered<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=Shattered |date=2011-11-25 |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22804872/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_17 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Rita Dominic, Allan Adika, Melvin Alusa |publisher=Dream House Productions}}</ref>|| Drama |- |2012||The Marshal of Finland<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=Suomen Marsalkka |date=2012-09-28 |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2190421/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_16 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Telley Savalas Otieno, Beatrice Wangui, Ruth Maingi |publisher=Filmistuudio Kalevipojad, Savane Productions, Yleisradio (YLE)}}</ref>||Drama |- |2012 || Drunk Dead<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=Drunk Dead |date=2012-10-27 |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21963352/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_15 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Mike Awiti, Dainna Berrecket, Katherine Damaris |publisher=Sinema Sisi}}</ref>|| Drama |- |2013 || Exposure<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=Exposure |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10729886/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_14 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Elsaphan Njora}}</ref>|| Drama |- |2014 || Double Trouble<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=Double Trouble |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10730174/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_13 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Iddi Achieng, Joyce Maina, Brian Ogola}}</ref>||Drama |- |2014 || Malaika Nights<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=Malaika Nights |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30882859/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_12 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Charity Nyambura, Mike Rewa, Caroline Wanjie |publisher=Zamaradi Productions}}</ref>|| TV Movie |- |2014 || The Hands That Feeds You<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=The Hand That Feeds You |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30888250/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_11 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Robert Agengo, Eddie Mbugua, Gloria Moraa |publisher=Zamaradi Productions}}</ref>|| TV Movie |- |2014 || Gun Theory<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=Gun Theory |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30955300/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_10 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Vera Atsango, Gerald Langiri, Arabron Nyyeneque |publisher=Zamaradi Productions}}</ref>|| TV Movie |- |2015 || Strength of a Woman<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=Strength of a Woman |date=2015-03-05 |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23028038/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_9 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Rose K. Njoroge, Sandra Dacha, Ashford Kirimi |publisher=Pickpoint Productions}}</ref>|| |- |2014–2015 || Pray & Prey<ref>{{Citation |title=Pray & Prey |date=2014-12-02 |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30886731/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_8 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Amalie Chopetta, Pascal Tokodi, Mbuthia Ngware}}</ref>|| TV Series |- |2021 || Mission to Rescue<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=Mission to Rescue |date=2021-07-02 |type=Action, Thriller |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15776638/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_7 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Melvin Alusa, Warsame Abdi, Abdi Yusuf |publisher=Foxton Media}}</ref>|| Action Thriller |- |2022–2024 || Salem<ref>{{Citation |title=Salem |date=2022-04-25 |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32628519/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_6 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Melvin Alusa, Dennis Ndirangu Drisky, Illya Frank |publisher=Zebra Productions Kenya}}</ref>|| TV Series |- |2023 || Kiza<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=Kiza |date=2023-11-24 |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30789274/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_4 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Robert Agengo, Dedan Juma, Gitura Kamau |publisher=Double Pearl Production}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-19 |title=Kenyan film 'Kiza' to have its premiere in Nairobi |url=https://nairobinews.nation.africa/kenyan-film-kiza-to-have-its-premiere-in-nairobi/ |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=Nairobi News |language=en-US}}</ref>|| Drama |- |2024 || 1992<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=1992 |date=2024-09-06 |type=Short, Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33096759/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_2 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Susan Joanitah Njuguna, Enock Kalungi, Charles Kiarie |publisher=Blackwell Films, Docubox EADFF}}</ref>|| Short film |- |2025 || Reckless<ref>{{Citation |title=Reckless |date=2025-06-23 |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37367738/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_img_1 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Brian Abajah, Georgina Mbira, Eddie Mbugua |publisher=Live Eye TV}}</ref>|| TV Series |}
===As actor=== {| class="wikitable" |+ ! Year ! Title ! Category |- |2009–2013 || Nairobi Law<ref>{{Citation |title=Nairobi Law |date=2009-03-04 |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15576936/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_2_cdt_img_21 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Pinky Ghelani, Martin Githinji, Eddy Kimani}}</ref>|| TV Series |- |2009 || The Resurrection<ref>{{Citation |last=Nchogu |first=Vincho |title=The Resurrection |date=2009-09-22 |type=Short, Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30833739/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_2_cdt_img_20 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Evelyn Akinyi, Clement Arua, Bertha Kangongoi |publisher=Big Ideas Entertainment}}</ref>|| Short film |- |2010 || Lost in Africa<ref>{{Citation |last=Muasya |first=Vibeke |title=Kidnappet |date=2010-10-07 |type=Drama, Family, Thriller |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1686063/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_2_cdt_img_15 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Connie Nielsen, Lars Mikkelsen, Simon Larsen |publisher=SF Studios, Windelov Productions}}</ref>||Drama Thriller |- |2013 || It's Us<ref>{{Citation |last=Reding |first=Nick |title=Ni sisi |type=Comedy, Drama, Romance |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3244780/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_2_cdt_img_13 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Kongo Abdalah, Mwajuma Bahati, Alfred Calypso}}</ref>|| Drama |- |2014 || Strata<ref>{{Citation |title=Strata |date=2014-08-22 |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6873436/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_2_cdt_img_11 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Omfwoko Aswani, Gilbert K. Lukalia, Sabina Stadler |publisher=Et Cetera Productions}}</ref>|| TV Mini Series |- |2017 || Kidnapped<ref>{{Citation |last=Njache |first=Mwaniki |title=Kidnapped |type=Thriller |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7639684/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_2_cdt_img_10 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Lydia Gitachu, John Kararahe, Daniel Katungi |publisher=Machawood, Wordypix Company}}</ref>|| Thriller |- |2017 || Pendo<ref>{{Citation |last=Musembi |first=Faith |title=Pendo |date=2017-11-11 |type=Short, Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11513772/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_2_cdt_img_9 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Gilbert K. Lukalia, Olwenya Maina}}</ref>|| Short film |- |2019 || Chuma<ref>{{Citation |last=Musembi |first=Faith |title=Chuma |date=2019-11-22 |type=Short, Sci-Fi |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11514364/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_2_cdt_img_8 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Gilbert K. Lukalia, Ibrahim Muchemi, Adaeze Imani Muga |publisher=Faimus Films}}</ref>||Short film |- |2021 || Akinyi<ref>{{Citation |last=Oduor |first=Ignatius |title=Akinyi |date=2021-01-08 |type=Short, Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31029936/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_2_cdt_img_7 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Neema Bagamuhunda, Catherine Enane, Brian Kyallo-Msafiri |publisher=Revolutionary Pictures}}</ref>|| Short film |- |2021 || Mission to Rescue || Action Thriller |- |2022 || Kam U Stay<ref>{{Citation |title=Kam U Stay |date=2024-01-11 |type=Comedy |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33040728/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_2_cdt_img_3 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Reinhard Bonke, Escay Gitonga, Kevin Kasyoki |publisher=Hadithi Media}}</ref>|| TV Series |- |2021 || 1992 || Short film |}
==Awards and Nominatations== {| class="wikitable" |+ ! Year ! Award ! Work ! Category ! Results |- | rowspan="1" | 2010 | rowspan="5" | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | rowspan="2" | ''Siri'' | Best Lead Actor in a TV Drama<ref name="Siri">{{Citation |title=Siri |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22870190/?ref_=nmawd_i_2 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Iddi Achieng, Rose Masaka Adagala, Major Aguda |publisher=Benarts Media Creations, Maxsyl Art Productions}}</ref> |{{nom}} |- | rowspan="1" | 2011 | Best Lead Actor in a TV Drama<ref name="Siri"/> |{{nom}} |- | rowspan="1" | 2012 | rowspan="1" | ''Shattered'' | Best Director<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=Shattered |date=2011-11-25 |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22804872/?ref_=nmawd_i_2 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Rita Dominic, Allan Adika, Melvin Alusa |publisher=Dream House Productions}}</ref> |{{nom}} |- | rowspan="1" | 2014 | rowspan="1" | ''The Marshal of Finland'' | Best Supporting Actor in a Film<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=Suomen Marsalkka |date=2012-09-28 |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2190421/?ref_=nmawd_i_2 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Telley Savalas Otieno, Beatrice Wangui, Ruth Maingi |publisher=Filmistuudio Kalevipojad, Savane Productions, Yleisradio (YLE)}}</ref> |{{nom}} |- | rowspan="1" | 2017 | rowspan="1" | ''Kidnapped'' | Best Supporting Actor in a Film<ref>{{Citation |last=Njache |first=Mwaniki |title=Kidnapped |type=Thriller |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7639684/?ref_=nmawd_i_2 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Lydia Gitachu, John Kararahe, Daniel Katungi |publisher=Machawood, Wordypix Company}}</ref> |{{nom}} |- | rowspan="1" | 2021 | rowspan="1" | African Movie Academy Awards | rowspan="1" | ''Mission to Rescue'' | Best Director<ref>{{Citation |last=Lukalia |first=Gilbert K. |title=Mission to Rescue |date=2021-07-02 |type=Action, Thriller |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15776638/?ref_=nmawd_i_1 |access-date=2025-08-21 |others=Melvin Alusa, Warsame Abdi, Abdi Yusuf |publisher=Foxton Media}}</ref> |{{nominated}} |}
==References== <references />
==External links== * {{IMDb name|3776295}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lukalia, Gilbert}} Category:Kenyan male film actors Category:Kenyan film directors Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:Long stubs with short prose
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