The annual Uganda Film Festival took place at the Uganda Institute of Communication and Technology in Nakawa.
The eleventh edition was one that brought out filmmakers that are coming of age and newer ones—those that are still experimenting with the craft.
Thus, among the nominees, there were many who had been nominated for their first film and those who were seeking their third and fourth wins.
In Nisha Kalema’s second trial at production, Makula received the biggest number of nominations and didn’t disappoint on the D-day. The film took home awards for Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Director, and the biggest of the night, Best Feature Film.
Nisha 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.
Makula is a film 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.
Other big winners included three M-Net originals, Jerry Ssesanga’s The Lions of Buganda, Kevin Johns Nabukenya’s Soccer Heart, and Eleanor Nabwiso’s Christmas Together.
During the awards, the Executive Director of UCC, Hon Nyombi Thembo, noted that the arts are a cornerstone of society and wondered why school competitions of music, dance and drama died.
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.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS OF UGANDA FILM FESTIVAL 2024
Best Short Film The Last Shoemaker
Best Animation – Kataleya
Best Student Film – Scold’ Bridle
Documentary Film – Ghetto Mama
Best Makeup – The Lions of Buganda
Best Post-Production – Soccer Heart
Best Sound – Isiko Abubaker for Christmas Together
Best Costume Design – The Lions of Buganda
Best Production Design – Imran Musabbeh for Makula
Best Screenplay – Christmas Together by Nabwiso Eleanor
Best Cinematography – Alex Ireeta for Makula
Best Regional Film – TAAMA by Arthur Nsubuga
Best Supporting Actress in Film – Nakayo Veronica
Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film – Bwanika Felix for Ssekukkulu
Best Actor in TV Drama – Simon Base Kalema for Prestige
Best Actress in TV Drama – Doreen Mirembe for Damalie
Best Actor in Film – Edris Lubega for Half Life
Best Actress in Feature Film – Penny Peninah Nampanga for Maria
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT – MICHAEL WAWUYO
Best Viewers’ Choice Film – Omukululo
Best Indigenous Film – The Lions of Buganda by Sesanga Jerry
Best TV Drama Series – Damalie
Best Director – Nisha Kalema & Dan Mugisha for Makula
Best Film – Makula by Nisha Kalema
