Uganda Film Festival unveils nominees

On June 7, the Uganda Communication Commission in collaboration with Uganda Film Festival (UFF) will hold their annual cinema celebration.

As it is a norm, awards are handed out to outstanding films in both technical and acting fields.

This year, about 307 films were submitted, though less than a quarter of these walked away with nominations.

About 50 films are spread across the 25 categories, and unlike in past years, when many filmmakers prioritized making films in English, a good number of films in the mix this year are in indigenous languages.

Three films, Eleanor Nabwiso’s Christmas Together, Nisha Kalema’s Makula, and Ibrahim Hammis Mayanja’s Omukululo, dominate most of the categories, such as acting, screenplay, and technical ones.

Makula leads the nominations with 12 of them, including Best Actress for Kalema; the film follows an extensive yet secret ring of human and organ traffickers, while Omukululo, with ten nominations, is about everything that could go wrong when the truth is kept under the rug.

Other films in contention include Kevin Jones Nabukenya’s Soccer Heart and Jerry Ssesanga’s Lions of Buganda.

The festival that has been held since 2013 aims at promoting and showcasing Ugandan films to both the local and international audiences.

This year’s festival theme is Local stories; global impact.

The full list of the nominees 

BEST FEATURE FILM

Soccer Heart by Kevin Johns Nabukenya

Christmas Together by Eleanor R. Nabwiso

Makula by Nisha Kalema

The Lions of Buganda by Jerry Sesanga

Omukuluto by Ibra Hamis Mayanja

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Sabotage – Mickydad Kaaku

Christmas Together –

Love Tragic – Kasesene Angella

Makula – Nantege Maureen Victoria

The Lions Of Buganda – Ali Musoke, Dollar Fashionista, Naggayi Patricia

BEST SOUND DESIGN

Omukululo – Mirembe Zurifath, Kyobe Sebbowa

The Lions Of Buganda – Marvin Rain Ssentongo

Christmas Together – Isiko Abubaker

Makula – Jose Arins

Soccer Heart – Kyobe Sebbowa

BEST ACTOR IN FEATURE FILM

Omukululo – Prince Joe Nakibinge

Apologise – Isaac Mendez Kintu

Half Life – Edris Lubega

Sabotage – Jjemba Musoke Austin

Present Past – Ssekimpi John Mary

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Maid of Honour – Fauziah Nakiboneka

High Life – Mommo Nelson

Sabotage – Stella Nantumbwe

Christmas Together – Nakayo Veronica

Omukululo – Kansiime Sophie

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Ghetto Mama – Onyutta Brenda

1911 – Shemei Agabo

Summitting Mount Elgon 3d – Wogube Denard

Africa’s Race To 2040 Documentary – Vaccine Manufacturing – Serwanja Solomon

Tuko Pamoja: Omukama John Cwa II Kabaleega – Cindy Evelyn Magara

BEST REGIONAL FILM

Taama – Nsubuga Arthur

117 Shoes. Story of Generosity – Komakech Daniel

Cross Border Peace – Komakech Daniel

The Rock That Turned Into Butter – Frank Kabushega

Jobless Corner Series – Mwebaza Martin

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

Offshoot – Nigeria

Oazi – Pakistan

The Crab Basket – Chile

Footprints On Water – United Kingdom

Return of the Jungle – India

BEST SHORT FILM

Ziwa by Samuel Tebandeke

The Last Shoemaker by Ali Musoke

9 Lives by Hadijah Nakanjako

Taama by Nsubuga Arthur

Getting To Know You by Patrick Lorimo

BEST EAST AFRICAN FILM

Visasi – Kenya Mvera – Kenya

The Midnight Bride – Tanzania

I’m Coming Home Abiro Dala – Kenya

The Fall of King Odongo – Kenya

BEST VIEWER’S CHOICE

Soccer Heart – Kevin Johns Nabukenya

Christmas Together – Eleanor R. Nabwiso

Makula – Nisha Kalema

The Lions of Buganda – Jerry Sesanga

Omukuluto – Ibra Hamis Mayanja

BEST ANIMATION

The Guardian by Denis Junior Dhikusoka

Echoes Of Unseen by Wiber Akatuhurira

Kataleya by Denis Junior Dhikusoka

Gwanga Da Planter by Wiber Akatuhurira

Stuck In The Nest by Kiberu Siraje

BEST ACTOR IN A TV SERIES

Kenny Rukundo – Damalie

Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga – Sanyu

Symon Base Kalema – Prestige

Allan Kutos Katatongole – Sanyu

Raymond Rushabiro – Prestige

BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES

Ann Marrie Nattabi – Beloved

Cleopatra Koheirwe – Prestige

Namugengi Catherine – Sanyu

Doreen Mirembe – Damalie

Hajarah Nabukenya – Khosa

BEST TV SERIES

Juniors Drama Club (10C) – Allan Manzi

Sanyu – Mathew Nabwiso

Prestige – Nathan Magoola

Damalie – Doreen Mirembe

Khosa – Ivan Makai Mayatsa

BEST INDIGENOUS FILM

Makula – Nisha Kalema

Maria – Nana Kagga & Meme Kagga

Omukuluto – Ibra Hamis Mayanja

The Lions of Buganda – Jerry Sesanga

Half Life – Richard Mulindwa

BEST STUDENT FILM

Malediction – Ssenyondo Marvin

Scold’s Bridle – Ssemwogerere (Nersky)Nurudeen

The Chicken Thief – Enock Timothy Jjemba

Not my daughter – Lubeera Saphina

Hypochondriac – Emma Okello

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN FEATURE FILM

Twine Is Missing – Marijan Hussein

Sekukkulu – Bwanika Baale Felix

Fragile – Wasajja Hanigton

Maria – Muhmood Zamunyo

Omukululo – Prince Joe Nakibinge

BEST ACTRESS IN FEATURE FILM

Omukululo – Joan Nabkilbi

Maria – Pelly Peninah Nampanga

Law Of Consequences – Monica Jacobs Birwinyo

Retaliation – Viola Kebirungi

Makulu – Nisha Kalema

BEST SCREENPLAY

My Love From Another Land – Kevin Johns Nabukenya, Anu and Pablo

Half Life – Mulindwa Richard, Agaba Joan

Christmas Together – Mary Nyanzi, Eleanor Nabwiso

Soccer Heart – Kevin Johns Nabukenya

Makula – Nisha Kalema

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Makula – Imran Musabbeh

Christmas Together – Imran Musabbeh

The Lions Of Buganda – Tumusiime Robert Quintes

Sabotage – Ritah Babirye

Omukuluto – Mutesi Mariam

BEST DIRECTOR

Omukululo – Charles Luzinda

Makula – Nisha Kalema and Dan Mugisha

Christmas Together – Eleanor Nabwiso

Half-Life – Richard Mulindwa

Maria – Nana Kagga

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Lions of Buganda – Abdul kakande, Faysal Mukalazi

Makula – Alex Ireeta

Christmas Together – Izaek Ekuka

Omukululo – JB. Edit Ug

Half Life – Sserwadaa Shafic, Roy Chwintado

BEST POST-PRODUCTION/EDIT

Love Tragic – Mutebi Azihari

Christmas Together – Paul Kimera and Kikaawa Wilson

Soccer Heart – Kizito Sudaisy Sebbowa

The Lions of Buganda – Marvin Rain Ssentongo, Muhwezi Herbert

Makula – Henry Matovu & Kizito Sudaisy Sebbow

BEST MAKE-UP

The Lions Of Buganda – Nabakiibi Joana Jojo, Latifah Nabatanzi Rutaro Abell

Makula – Nakakande Cynthia

Half Life – Kabanywari Maggie

Christmas Together – Eleanor Nabwiso, Bangi Solome

Love Tragic – Mutebi Azihari