LAUNCH OF THE NATIONAL THEATRE AND FILM AWARDS (NTFAs) & NOMINEE ANNOUNCEMENT
OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY THE GENERAL MANAGER, ALMA ULAMBA
11 February 2026
LAUNCH OF THE NATIONAL THEATRE AND FILM AWARDS (NTFAs) & NOMINEE ANNOUNCEMENT
Chairperson of the Namibia Film Commission
The Director of the Namibia Film Commission
Management of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation
Members of the Organising Committee of the National Theatre and Film Awards
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
All protocols observed
Good morning.
It is both an honour and a privilege to welcome you this morning as we officially announce the return of the National Theatre and Film Awards, scheduled to take place on 28 March 2026.
The National Theatre and Film Awards are making a comeback after a six-year absence. This break was necessitated by the global COVID-19 pandemic, a period that disrupted industries worldwide. The creative sector was particularly affected—stages went dark, productions were postponed, and livelihoods were interrupted. Yet, even in those difficult years, creativity endured.
Today, we return not simply to resume an awards ceremony, but to restore recognition.
From late 2019 through December 2025, Namibia’s stages were alive with a total of 26 theatre and dance productions, ranging from independent works to productions commissioned by the National Theatre of Namibia. In recognising this period, we made a deliberate decision that there would be no vacuum period. Every eligible production created since the last awards in 2019 was considered.
Recognising artists is not merely ceremonial. It is an act of validation. It affirms that our storytellers, performers, technicians, designers, writers, choreographers, and dancers matter. The arts preserve our history, challenge our present, and imagine our future. When we recognise artists, we recognise the heartbeat of a nation.
Allow me to provide an overview of the adjudication process, which is central to the credibility of the NTFAs.
Each of the 26 productions was evaluated across 15 competitive categories. Importantly, the adjudication framework and evaluation tools used for these awards were developed and refined over time in consultation with industry peers. This means the process reflects lived industry realities and collective professional input, ensuring relevance, fairness, and sector ownership.
To uphold integrity, an independent panel of five adjudicators—with decades of combined artistic, academic, and industry experience—was appointed. The panel consisted of:
– Ms. Anchen Wille, founder of the Anchen Wille Dance Academy
– Dr Emelda Gawas, Senior Lecturer at the Namibia University of Science and Technology
– Dr Perminus Matiure, ethnomusicologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Namibia
– Mr. Ernst Steynberg, veteran media professional and creative director
– Dr Suzette van der Smit, distinguished performing arts educator
Judges attended live performances where possible and assessed eligible filmed productions in line with NTN policy. Adjudicators recused themselves from any production in which they were involved, and all NTN employees were ineligible for competitive awards, ensuring independence. All evaluations were sealed and verified by an independent external auditor, with the process administered for governance and auditing purposes only.
The adjudication process was both rigorous and demanding. The depth of talent presented made shortlisting particularly challenging. In recognition of this, the Best Actor category features six nominees instead of the usual three, reflecting the exceptional standard of performance during this cycle.
As the creative industries evolve, so too must the awards that recognise them. This evolution has led to an expansion of the NTFA categories, most notably the introduction of Dance as a recognised genre for the first time.
In line with principles of inclusivity and artistic equity, performance awards are not divided by gender. Actor and dancer awards are open to all performers, regardless of gender, recognising excellence based purely on merit and performance.
The 15 competitive categories for this cycle are:
1. Best Staged Production
2. Best Script (Original)
3. Best Score (Original)
4. Best Stage Director
5. Best Choreographer
6. Best Production / Set Design
7. Best Stage Technician / Engineer
8. Best Stagecraft: Costume
9. Best Stagecraft: Make-Up
10. Best Lead Actor
11. Best Supporting Actor
12. Best Newcomer Actor
13. Best Lead Dancer
14. Best Supporting Dancer
15. Best Newcomer Dancer
In addition to these, the National Theatre of Namibia will confer honorary institutional awards, including:
1. Best Corporate Support
2. Lifetime Achievement Award (Living and Posthumous)
3. Special Recognition Award
Before I conclude, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to our current partners and supporters who continue to believe in the value of the arts. We also extend an open invitation to prospective partners and sponsors to join us on this journey, as we build a sustainable and vibrant future for Namibia’s creative economy together.
In closing, the return of the National Theatre and Film Awards represents more than a celebration—it is a renewed commitment to fairness, excellence, and recognition in Namibia’s creative sector.
We look forward to celebrating our artists with the nation on 28 March 2026.
