Kampala, 2 June - Robert Nkambo, director at Mediavision Academy and producer of films, led a delegation of his institution to the special 10th Edition of the Uganda Film Festival Awards Gala Night 2023 held at the Uganda Institute of Information & Communications Technology in Kampala.
“The development of the local film industry in Uganda is a long journey, but I’m happy it has all the signs that the journey is paying off,” he said looking at an enthusiastic crowd showing men and women dressed up and apparently at ease.
Taking Uganda Film Industry to an entirely different level
Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has succeeded in its gamble: to attract as many people as possible not only from Uganda, but from all over the world. Femi Odugbemi, a writer, filmmaker, television producer, and the founder/executive producer of Zuri24 Media, a content production company in Lagos, Nigeria witnessed the creativity, innovation, productivity, competitiveness, and investment made by Uganda to take the local film industry to an entirely different level.
“This Awards Gala Night marks the end of a wonderful two-week celebration of hard work, creativity and unwavering dedication,” said Julianne R. Mweheire, UCC Director Industry Affairs and Content Development, in her opening remarks, commending the ‘work of arts’ of actors, directors, writers and crew members. “We celebrate the best, of the best in the film industry. They have displayed their unique talents through a craft that will live on for generations to come,” Julianne concluded.
Ugandan women carving out a place in the film industry
Dr. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, a Ugandan physician and politician who was Prime Minister of Uganda from 2014 to 2021, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, Deputy Speaker of Uganda Parliament, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Chief Executive Officers of partners and sponsors from various agencies and government officials were all in attendance. They witnessed a strong presence of women who are carving out a place of choice for themselves in the film industry in Uganda.
Founder of the film company “Amani”, Doreen Mirembe’s career is all about leadership storytelling for women. “A woman knows how to captivate the public in telling a story, in sharing her world, emotion, imagination, love, all in her own language – whether it be with words, shapes, colors, or aromas and flavors,” she heartily revealed while watching the two masters of ceremony, Dr. Romie Mich Egwang and Malaika Tenshi, announcing the various award categories. “I love the experience of taking in a film festival. You get exposed to different ideas and cultures and connect with people and films you wouldn’t normally be able to.”
When content development and capacity-building matter
Irene Kaggwa, the acting Executive Director of Uganda Communications Commission, has made it quite clear that 10 years later, Uganda Film Industry has achieved professionalism when it comes to telling the Ugandan stories. “Tell stories of the peoples of Uganda, their values and culture,” she called on writers, producers, directors, actors before reminding them that Uganda was with the most nominations at one of the African Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), an annual accolade presented by MultiChoice recognizing outstanding achievement in television and film.
Uganda Communications Commission has played a key role in building capacity of more than 500 participants in different fields, including film market/exhibition, marketing and distribution of film, sound management, lighting for film, among others. As a result, “the home-grown independent productions have increasingly competed favorably and won awards at various international film festivals, thus giving our local talent international recognition and exposure,” UCC acting Executive Director said.
When Ugandan Film Icon Ntare Guma Mwine joined the 10th anniversary celebration
Recognized as cultural icon by Silicon Valley African Film Festival, Ntare Guma Mwine was among those who came from very far away to share knowledge, experience and expertise with young film professionals at the 2-week celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the Uganda Film Festival. “Ntare Guma’s participation was beneficial and offered significant added-value for the rest of my professional career as film producer,” said an unnamed 24-year awardee.
Ntare who in April 2021 joined the cast of the upcoming Netflix sow “The Lincoln Lawyer’ in which he starred as Detective Raymond Grigg. He was honored for his stellar career as actor and film director through which he has uplifted the image and dignity of the global African community, as well as strengthening the African culture with his passion and creativity.
Film Industry: a source of wealth creation and employment
The Uganda Film Industry is an important source of wealth creation and employment, but “its operations require important control measures to ensure adequate copyright protection and enforcement against piracy” warned Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa who was the Guest of Honor of the event.
Irene Kaggwa has noted significant progress in respect to quality, quantity, and human capital development in the film industry in Uganda. However, she is cognizant of the fact that despite the gains made, much more remains to be done to take the industry further ahead, including tapping its potential to stimulate employment in line with this year’s theme: “Harnessing the Potential of the Creative Industry.” This theme couldn’t be more pertinent as it speaks to the role that the film industry can play in promoting Uganda’s economic growth and development, especially through job creation.
Mediavision Academy’s unwavering commitment to supporting film industry growth in Uganda
“Kudos to Uganda Film Festival as we are today celebrating its 10th anniversary!” said Robert Nkambo, the director of Mediavision Academy that serves the film and media arts educational needs of the youth of Uganda. “We continue to look ahead with excitement of how we can help our students become the change agents in the audiovisual and cinematographic landscape in Uganda and beyond.”
Mediavision Academy has played a vital role in the growth and sustainable development of the local film industry and will continue to do so by supporting related initiatives taken to drive forwards innovations in that area. The Academy has teamed up with Uganda Communications Commission by providing capacity building workshops to more than 200 young filmmakers. Looking ahead, we see film and media arts education as a way to better prepare our youth for the future.
Sponsored by Multichoice Uganda, MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda, UBC, Uganda Tourism Board, Next Media, Media Council, InterCar, Vision Group, BBS, Citi Bank, Best Western Plus, Century CineMAX and CinemaUg, “the event provided valuable networking opportunities for the Academy’s students as well as the opportunity for them to see how the government of Uganda through Uganda Communications Commission spares no effort to facilitate the growth and sustainable development of the local film industry so as to reap the accruing socio-economic benefits in the future,” Robert Nkambo concluded.
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By Daniel Massamba Meboya
Corporate Communications Strategist and
Consultant at Mediavision Academy
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