Established in 2013 to promote the local film industry, the festival is aimed at creating a lucrative industry economically and socially just like Nollywood, Bollywood and Hollywood.
This year’s nominations for the film awards have unveiled a young, talented Maynard Mulindwa, a 29-year-old film director, writer and producer.
Mulindwa leads the nomination pack with eleven nods for his upcoming film Footwine, which is even in the running for Best Film, among other categories.
“I am very much humbled; this is my first participation in the Uganda film festival events and to get noticed [this way] to us is a very big win,” he said last week.
Footwine is shot in one location, a local bar, managed by a female alcoholic bartender and brewer. She serves customers from all walks of life that come in to find an escape from life’s troubles. But the bar turns chaotic when this irresistibly sweet drink stops providing relief.
“I feel like the Footwine is a film that talks about alcohol but it brings both the good and the bad sides of this drink. I felt like I have something to communicate, but one of my greatest highlights of this film was the script” he added.
Mulindwa’s Shs 24m budget film goes head to head with the industry’s pride, Loukman Ali (The Girl In the Yellow Jumper), and Morris Mugisha (Stain) in the category of Best Director in the upcoming awards.
Other nominees for awards include Mariam Ndagire (My husband & Wife), Eleanor Nabwiso (24 Hours) and Nana Kagga (Nalwawo).
Singer Maurice Kirya also got his first ever nomination after his third career film The Girl In The Yellow Jumper got a nod for Best Supporting Actor in the Feature Film with film lovers saying the odds are, he could win it.
The category of Best TV Drama/Series will have Sanyu, Kyaddala and Prestige tussle it out. The other category that feature multi-talented and experienced actresses is Best Actress in a TV Drama/Series, where Eleanor Nabwiso (Sanyu), Evelyn Namatovu (Prestige), Namugenyi Catherine (Sanyu) will give viewers a big task of choosing who to give the gong.
But don’t let the abundance of young blood fool you into thinking they have wiped out the legends; celebrated actor and film teacher Phillip Luswata (What if) is in the run for Best Actor in TV Drama/Series, while Trendz Studio boss Mariam Ndagire’s My Husband and Wife is up for Best Screenplay, among other categories.
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