The Kenyan-German drama Nawi: Dear Future Me is set to premiere in the United States and Canada. Distributor New Mountain Films announced that the film will hit domestic theaters in February 2026. The story follows a 13-year-old Kenyan girl, Nawi, whose father attempts to “trade” her into marriage in exchange for livestock in rural Kenya.
The film is co-directed by brothers Toby and Kevin Schmutzler alongside Kenyan filmmakers Apuu Mourine and Vallentine Chelluget. It is based on a screenplay by the Schmutzlers and a story by Milcah Cherotich. “Nawi is inspired by true events, shining a light on the practice of child marriage and its devastating impact,” said Kevin Schmutzler.
The plot follows Nawi’s desperate escape from a forced marriage on her wedding night. She flees to Nairobi but is compelled to return home when her younger sister faces the same fate. The film has already received international critical acclaim, earning more than a dozen awards and serving as Kenya’s official submission for the 2025 Best International Feature Film category.
Nawi also received a Special Jury Honor at the Beijing International Film Festival for its powerful portrayal of gender-based violence and education. “We want this film to be a catalyst for change, not just a story told on screen,” said Mourine.
The production is part of a broader campaign that has raised over $300,000 to open an all-girls boarding school in Kenya and launch mobile “cinema tours” bringing screenings to remote communities. During its U.S. release, Nawi will premiere in Manhattan to coincide with a United Nations General Assembly side event, followed by a panel discussion on gender equality and storytelling’s role in social change.
The film’s ultimate goal is to spark critical dialogue on child marriage, human trafficking, and the global struggle for girls’ education.
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