Now in its 12th edition, the Uganda Film Festival has been a flagship event for Uganda Communications Commission, best known for nurturing talent and promoting Uganda to Ugandans.
On April 14, Uganda Film Festival (UFF 2025) officially launched this year’s nominees and many more categories at the press event held at UCC house in Bugolobi, Kampala.
The Uganda Film festival has over the years celebrated the best of Ugandan cinema and television and, in the process, empowered a new age of storytellers with entries increasing from areas outside Kampala such as Gulu, Jinja, Mbarara and Arua.
This year’s festival has received more than 362 film submissions, with over 330 filmmakers. And this year reflects the industry’s richness across the various genres of film, as the awards comprise 27 categories to celebrate filmmakers who submitted their work produced last year.
According to Julianne Mweheire, the director, Economic Regulations, Content and Consumer Affairs at UCC, the filmmakers are more intentional about owning their voice and saying what they want in ways they know how.
Speaking at the launch, Uganda Communications Commission executive director Nyombi Thembo said the hard work by different stakeholders in the film industry has started to pay off.
“We are exploring different methods as we seek to find ways of building a sustainable audience,” he said.
He added that they are engaging exhibitors at the grassroots such as video shacks (bibanda) as well as streaming platforms so as to support the industry. Thembo said this year’s edition has set a record with an astounding 362 film submissions, a remarkable leap from last year, highlighting the growing strength and creativity of the film industry.
“I’m proud that we are making remarkable progress in production and [increasing] participants each year are a testament to our writers, producers, distributors providing new opportunities and commitment to the industry,” Thembo said.
This year, two films, Kimote, by Hassan Mageye and Nkinzi directed by Rehema Nanfuka dominated the nominations with 14 nominations each. They are closely followed by Fatal, Speak and Two Paths.
Nkinzi is a children’s film about a young girl who runs away from home believing her parents don’t love her. She ends up on the streets with another street child, Junior, who stays with his young sister. Nkinzi gives the awards their youngest nominees, Kisakye Passion and Myra Ariana Lubowa.
These submissions will be subjected to scrutiny by a panel of experts who will select winners to be announced during a gala on June 6.
Renowned actor Philip Luswata, also head judge this year, said Ugandans have improved in many technical departments but are yet to tell a Ugandan story and neither do they know the colour of Uganda.
“At the moment, we have mastered the art of making a basket but what do we put in the basket?” he challenged.
atiluknathan@gmil.com
great change and achievement in the movie industry …long live