NTFA 2026 Theatre Categories
The Namibian Theatre & Film Awards (NTFAs) are gearing up following the announcement of the nominees on 11 February 2026 at the NTN. After a period of hiatus, the NTFAs are set to once again mark the Namibian arts and cultural calendar on 28 March 2026 at the NTN, where the sector’s top-performing creatives, storytellers, and contributors will be celebrated and honoured.
Below is the speech delivered by the National Theatre of Namibia’s General Manager, Alma Ulamba, at the nominations event held on 11 February 2026.
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. Our artists continued to imagine, rehearse, write, compose, and perform—sometimes in silence, sometimes without applause, but always with purpose.
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. These works represent resilience, growth, and artistic courage during one of the most challenging periods in our history.
In acknowledging this six-year span, we made a deliberate decision: there would be no vacuum period. Every production staged since the last awards in 2019 was eligible for consideration. This approach allows us to honor the full body of work produced during this era and to recognize artists who carried our cultural narrative forward against the odds.
Recognising artists is not merely ceremonial. It is an act of validation. It affirms that our storytellers, performers, technicians, designers, writers, and choreographers matter. The arts are not an accessory to society—they are its mirror, its conscience, and its memory. When we recognize artists, we recognize the heartbeat of a nation.
Allow me to provide an overview of the adjudication process, which sits at the heart of the credibility of these awards.
Each of the 26 productions was meticulously evaluated across 15 competitive categories. To ensure the integrity and professionalism of the process, the National Theatre of Namibia appointed an independent panel of five adjudicators, whose collective expertise spans decades of artistic practice, academic scholarship, and industry leadership.
The adjudication panel consists of:
Ms. Anchen Wille, graduate of the Association of International Dance Teachers and founder of the Anchen Wille Dance Academy, now celebrating 21 years of excellence and recognized as Namibia’s largest dance studio.
Dr. Emelda Gawas, Senior Lecturer at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, a specialist in African literature, postcolonial studies, and new African identities.
Dr. Perminus Matiure, ethnomusicologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Namibia, with internationally recognised research in musical heritage and performance.
Mr. Ernst Steynberg, a veteran media professional, former NBC Executive Producer, and Creative Director and Show Caller for some of Namibia’s most prestigious live productions.
Dr. Suzette van der Smit, a distinguished performing arts educator with over 39 years of contribution to Namibian theatre education and mentorship.
The adjudication process involved judges attending live performances to assess artistic impact and technical execution. Where applicable, productions that were filmed between 2019 and 2025 were also evaluated in line with NTN policy. Judges were required to recuse themselves from any production in which they were involved, and all NTN employees were deemed ineligible for competitive awards, ensuring full independence.
For transparency and accountability, every evaluation was physically or electronically sealed and verified by an independent external auditor. The process was administered by the Production Coordinator and chaired by the General Manager strictly for auditing and governance purposes.
It was, by all accounts, an extremely rigorous and demanding process. The depth of talent on display made it exceptionally difficult to select nominees. Nevertheless, after thorough assessment and deliberation, the adjudicators selected the top three nominees in each category.
As the theatre and film industries continue to evolve, so too must the awards that recognise them. This evolution has led us to expand and revise the NTFA categories to ensure inclusivity and relevance. Most notably, this cycle marks the historic introduction of Dance as a recognised genre within the awards.
For the first time, dancers are acknowledged in their own right through dedicated categories, affirming their equal standing within the performing arts ecosystem.
The 15 competitive award categories for this cycle are as follows:
Best Staged Production
Best Script (Original)
Best Score (Original)
Best Stage Director
Best Choreographer
Best Production / Set Design
Best Stage Technician / Engineer
Best Stagecraft: Costume
Best Stagecraft: Make-Up
Best Lead Actor
Best Supporting Actor
Best Newcomer Actor
Best Lead Dancer
Best Supporting Dancer
Best Newcomer Dancer
In addition to these, the National Theatre of Namibia will confer honorary institutional awards, deliberated internally to recognise long-term impact and exceptional contribution. These include:
Best Corporate Support
Lifetime Achievement Award (Living and Posthumous)
Special Recognition Award
In closing, the return of the National Theatre and Film Awards represents more than a celebration – it is a renewal of commitment to Namibia’s creative sector. It is a declaration that excellence matters, that fairness matters, and that our artists deserve to be seen, heard, and honoured.
We look forward to celebrating this excellence with the nation on 28 March 2026.
Thank you,
Alma Ulamba