Netflix and UNESCO have announced the six winners of the ground-breaking competition to find some of sub-Saharan Africa`s up-and-coming filmmakers, entitled `African Folktales, Reimagined`. Our very own Loukman Ali is among the six winners and the only Ugandan.
Loukman makes the list alongside five other winners from Africa. Each winner will receive US$25,000 plus a production budget of US$75,000 to create short films through a local production company and under the guidance of Netflix-appointed supervising producer and industry mentors from across the continent.
Staying true to the competition`s aim of showcasing Africa`s rich cultural heritage, the short films feature reimagined African folktales presented in multiple African languages. The six filmmakers will now go into the development phase of their projects, before starting production on the short films that will eventually premier on Netflix as part of `An Anthology of African Folktales` later this year. They will be mentored by acclaimed African filmmakers which include Femi Odugbemi, Jenna Bass, Leila Djansi, Pape Boye, Bongiwe Salane and Tosh Gitonga.
Luqman won the competition for his work `Katera Of The Punishment Island which will premiere on Netflix as a short film.Below is the list of winners:
- Mohamed Echkouna (Mauritania) for ‘The Enmity’
- DjinnWalter Mzengi (Tanzania) for ‘Katope’
- Korede Azeez (Nigeria) for ‘Adieu’
- Salut Voline Ogutu (Kenya) for ‘Anyango and the Ogre’
- Loukman Ali (Uganda) for ‘Katera of the Punishment Island’
- Gcobisa Yako (South Africa) for ‘Uma’Mlambo’
