Sixteen Rounds, a Ugandan short film, has won the award for ‘Best African Short Film’ at the Durban International Film Festival in South Africa.
Released in September 2021, the film which is written, directed and produced by Loukman Ali (The Girl in the Yellow Jumper) revolves around a former army man and his wife, and their messy love life which is characterized by infidelity.
Starred in the 37-minute short film is Michael Wawuyo Jr. and Natasha Sinayobye. Other members of the cast include Aganza Prince, Jack Sserunkuma, Patriq Nkakalukanyi and Raymond Rushabiro.
“This film was an all-round favorite of the jury. The jury members felt the film was conceptually on another level. They implored director Loukman Ali for thinking outside the box, and thought it was inspiring to see filmmaking at this level on the continent,” the citation states.
Winner for Best African Short Film: Sixteen Rounds by @LoukmanAli #DIFF2022 #DIFFAWARDS pic.twitter.com/5DKDOJt7HL
— Durban International Film Festival (@DIFFest) August 1, 2022
This is Sixteen Rounds’ second win after scooping ‘Best Short Film’ at the 2021 Mashariki African Film Festival. It has also previously been nominated in the 2022 Luxor African Film Festival (Best Short Film) and the 2022 Uganda Film Festival Awards (Best Short Film).
Commenting on his latest win in South Africa, Loukman said… “This is a very big milestone in my life and career. I’m really honored.”
The award comes with a cash reward of R10,000 (Ushs 2.3m).
Loukman created Sixteen Rounds as part of a three-episode anthology. The first episode was The Blind Date. On YouTube where it was premiered 10 months ago, it so far has 250,000 views.
Last year, the director announced plans to create a feature length film titled Ddamba based on the Sixteen Rounds story.
“I am making a feature version of it (Sixteen Rounds). The way it ends is not very conclusive. It can work the way it is, but there is room for expansion. I can expand on the characters, but mostly it will be about the two,” he said.
In its 43rd year, the South African international film festival is a unique phenomenon on the African cultural calendar.
The festival contributes to expanding filmmaker networks, attracts local and international media, creating public awareness of South African and African cinema.
This year’s festival and awards were held, with a small selection of films to be screened live, due to the prevailing Covid-19 related restrictions.
There were 72 short films competing in this year’s festival. The Best South African Short Film was awarded to Prayers for Sweet Waters (Elijah Ndoumbe) while Best Short Film went to Miettie, a Canadian short film by directors Maude Bouchard and Camille Trudel.
