By Andrew Irumba
Several Ugandan movie actors, actresses and film producers scooped awards at the Uganda Film Festival which started November 25 and ended yesterday, with a climax of the awarding ceremony at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) Nakawa.
The festival that was mainly sponsored by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) recognised efforts of various players in Uganda’s movie industry, who included actors, actresses, producers, choreographers, among others.
The festival which is an equivalent of the Oscars in the USA, was all pomp and glamour, especially because it was graced by several Very Important Ugandans, among them the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, State Minister for ICT Aidah Nantaba, UCC chairman Eng. Godfrey Mutabaazi, Gen. Katumba Wamala and others.
While commenting about the event, Speaker Kadaga tweeted thus; “Last night, I officiated at the 2019 Uganda Film Festival, in Kampala.T he film industry lacks a mother ministry. And the copyright law is too weak to protect artists. I will meet the Justice & Constitutional Affairs Minister and discuss solutions to these hiccups.”
The movies were nominated in 20 different categories, including cinematography, production design, sound, acting, editing, directing, among others.
Among the winners was Richard Mulindwa, who won best director of the year award, for the movie ‘Lailah’, while the Best Actress Award went to Malaika Nyanzi, while the Best Actor award went to Patriq Nkakalukanyi and the Lifetime Achievement Award was handed to Philip Luswata.
The Best Cinematography award went to August Kenneth Mugerwa, Best Sound Director Award went ‘To Bed of Thorns’, and the award for best TV drama went to “The Family”, which made the team take home Shs5m, among winners.
The festival is aimed at promoting the Uganda Film Industry, which is organized by UCC annually.
The Uganda Film festival was initiated in 2013, to promote the local film industry and to bring all industry stakeholders together, as well as give a spotlight to the young Uganda Film & Video industry both locally and internationally.
UCC said the Award Prizes this year are Bigger, Bolder and Better. Below are this year’s nominees competing in the different categories.
