Nisha Kalema’s film – Makula – was the biggest winner at this year’s Uganda Film Festival Awards after bagging four accolades including Best Feature Film.
Makula had secured12 nominations, making it the most nominated film, this year.
During the eleventh edition of the annual Uganda Film Festival gala night which was held at the Uganda Institute of Communication and Technology in Nakawa, Kampala, the film won Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Director, and Best Feature Film.
This year’s edition was one that brought out filmmakers that are coming of age and newer ones—those that are still experimenting with the craft.
Among the nominees were many who had been nominated for their first film and those who were seeking their third and fourth wins.
Makula is about a woman who finds herself trapped in an organ and human trafficking family’s home, where she thought she was coming for a marriage. Kalema wrote and produced the film which she co-directed with Brian Mugisha.
Kalema could easily be Uganda’s most decorated actress and probably an actor as far as the awards are concerned. She has won both as an actor, writer, producer, and now as a director.
Other big winners of the night included three M-Net originals, Jerry Ssesanga’s The Lions of Buganda, Kevin Johns Nabukenya’s Soccer Heart, and Eleanor Nabwiso’s Christmas Together.
Uganda Film Festival (UFF) was established by the Commission in 2013 as an initiative to promote a viable film industry in Uganda. The intention was to develop and promote the local film industry both locally and internationally, and to bring all the industry stakeholders together in a more focused and structured environment.
While accepting the award for Best Feature Film, Nisha Kalema said this win felt different. It’s her second win in the Feature Film category at the Uganda Film Festival.
She hailed UCC for a platform that has helped connected filmmakers to other key stakeholders that have supported the industry.
“We have rich stories and we have been helped to tell them,” the actress who gained popularity after her lead role in the 2018 drama Veronica’s Wish which she wrote and produced.
“It’s not easy to be a woman. I appeal to the women, please don’t stop. I know it’s hard but telling stories is what we do best. Let’s sell Uganda and our cultures the best way we know how,” she added.
As much as she hailed the government and other stakeholders for recognizing outstanding filmmakers, Kalema said film producers still need support in pushing their films beyond Uganda.
“When I win a category like this one – Best Feature Film -, it means I am the face of the industry this year in Uganda. But after that, we need help to make these movies cross borders. Because after that (awards), they (films) remain here, they remain with us. It’s not taking us anywhere. We’re trying to build an industry,” Kalema added.
In her remarks, the First Deputy Prime Minister and former Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga said referred to the gala as a celebration of a movement that has grown and flourished over the past 11 years. Further describing the film industry as “a testament to our nation’s commitment to nurturing and showcasing local talent”.
“This is a celebration of our cultural heritage, our stories, and our creativity. This industry is a powerful vehicle for economic growth. I was just looking at the people here and counting the number of jobs they have created,” she remarked.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Awards Gala, Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said that government has taken some steps, including legislation, to support the country’s nascent film industry. He cited the policy by UCC to ensure that broadcasters air at least 60 percent of local content.
“So that you don’t concentrate on foreign films yet we have our own talent here that can act very good plays and can communicate what’s relevant to our situation here in Uganda,” Dr. Baryomunsi said.
He admitted that the copyright law has been very weak, to the disadvantage of the bonafide creators.
“The originators of these films, the actors, the music composers do not benefit adequately from their work. Somebody composes a song, other people benefit from it, yet the person behind the film or song doesn’t benefit adequately,” the Minister said.
“We are now reviewing the law with the view of strengthening it. So that the creative artists can benefit from the work they do.”
In elucidating the power of art, the Minister earlier in his speech cited the role that Bakayimbira Drama Actors played in the early 1990s through their popular play Ndiwulira. He said that the play was able to create awareness on how to live responsible lives at a time where several Ugandans died of HIV/AIDS.
Adding; “I remember they (Bakayimbira) came to Makerere University and they staged that play. Everyone became aware of the threat that this disease was. As a result, some of us chose to keep away from girls”
He said drama is a powerful medium through which awareness can be created, even about government programs.
Hosted by comedian Uncle Mo and radio personality Deedan, the gala was attended by former Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, the Director of Regional Economic Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Richard Kabonero, founder and Producer of The Ebonies, John W. Katende, the Executive Director of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Nyombi Thembo among others.
The gala also brought together the cream of Uganda’s film industry including Philip Luswata, Sam Bagenda, Micheal Wawuyo, Mariam Ndagire, Abby Mukiibi among others.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
1. Best Short Film The Last Shoemaker
2. Best Animation – Kataleya
3. Best Student Film – Scold’ Bridle
4. Documentary Film – Ghetto Mama
5. Best Makeup – The Lions of Buganda
6. Best Post-Production – Soccer Heart
7. Best Sound – Isiko Abubaker for Christmas Together
8. Best Costume Design – The Lions of Buganda
9. Best Production Design – Imran Musabbeh for Makula
10. Best Screenplay – Christmas Together by Nabwiso Eleanor
11. Best Cinematography – Alex Ireeta for Makula
12. Best Regional Film – TAAMA by Arthur Nsubuga
13. Best Supporting Actress in Film – Nakayo Veronica
14. Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film – Bwanika Felix for Ssekukkulu
15. Best Actor in TV Drama – Simon Base Kalema for Prestige
16. Best Actress in TV Drama – Doreen Mirembe for Damalie
17. Best Actor in Film – Edris Lubega for Half Life
18. Best Actress in Feature Film – Penny Peninah Nampanga for Maria
19. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT – MICHAEL WAWUYO
20. Best Viewers’ Choice Film – Omukululo
21. Best Indigenous Film – The Lions of Buganda by Sesanga Jerry
22. Best TV Drama Series – Damalie
23. Best Director – Nisha Kalema & Dan Mugisha for Makula
23. Best Film – Makula by Nisha Kalema
