UFF 2014 full screening schedule

The official UFF 2014 poster

Here is the full screening schedule for this year’s Uganda Film Festival (UFF).

DAY1

National Theatre

Date: 26/08/2014

National Theatre

Date: 26/08/2014

Auditorium

Intervals of

0:10:00

Outside Screen

Intervals of

0:10:00

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

THE FELISTAS FABLE

Dilman Dila

1:30

10:00:00 AM

11:30:00 AM

Hooked (Joe’s Story)

Esther Kavno Sammy

0:21

7:00:00 PM

7:21:00 PM

Beauty to Ashes

Irene Kulabako Kakembo

1:25

11:40:00 AM

1:05:00 PM

The Condemned

Kihire Kennedy

1:27

7:31:00 PM

8:58:00 PM

Blind Lover

Tyaba Charles

1:27

5:00:00 PM

6:27:00 PM

Unfufilled Dream

Liri Marko

0:05

9:08:00 PM

9:13:00 PM

What happened in room 13

Dilman Dila

0:17

6:37:00 PM

6:54:00 PM

Paperwork

John Raymond Baguio

0:15

9:23:00 PM

9:38:00 PM

Namu ne Nankya

Ssemuju Steven Kintu

0:10

9:48:00 PM

9:58:00 PM

Busted

Richard Musinguzi

0:00

10:08:00 PM

10:08:03 PM

DAY2

National Theatre

Date: 27/08/2014

National Theatre

Date: 27/08/2014

Auditorium

Intervals of

0:10:00

Outside Screen

Intervals of

0:10:00

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Abasajja Butwa (High School)

SsejembaSadam

1:50

10:00:00 AM

11:50:00 AM

Arms of Clay

Daudi Mugabi

1:49

7:00:00 PM

8:49:00 PM

Essanya (Behind the Walls)

Prince Nakibinge Joe Juuko

1:32

12:00:00 PM

1:32:00 PM

The Vow

Musisi Alex

0:04

8:59:00 PM

9:03:00 PM

Bwebatyo/ Decision of Agony

Mutebi Frank

2:00

5:00:00 AM

7:00:00 AM

Ten years a Night

Ali Mikenga

1:01

9:13:00 PM

10:14:00 PM

DAY3

National Theatre

Date: 28/08/2014

National Theatre

Date: 28/08/2014

Auditorium

Intervals of

0:10:00

Outside Screen

Intervals of

0:10:00

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Priority 1

Semanda Jimmex Gonzaga

1:58

10:00:00 AM

11:58:00 AM

Essanya “Behind the Walls”

Prince Nakibinge Joe Juuko

1:32

7:00:00 PM

8:32:00 PM

On the Line

Nkalubo Ronnie Abraham

1:14

12:08:00 PM

1:22:00 PM

Love the game

Annet Nakamya

0:42

8:42:00 PM

9:24:00 PM

Jesus in the boot

Lukanda Prossy

0:23

1:32:00 PM

1:55:00 PM

Confused Tina

BIKOOMI SAMUEL

0:25

9:34:00 PM

9:59:00 PM

In Kampala

Louella Namirenbe Kibuuka

1:32

5:00:00 AM

6:32:00 AM

Crying for Help

Komaketch Daniel

0:29

5:00:00 AM

5:29:00 AM

Century Cinemax (Acacia Mall)

DAY1

Century Cinemax (Acacia Mall,)

Date: 26/08/2014

Century Cinemax (Acacia Mall,)

Date: 26/08/2014

Screen 1

Intervals of

0:10:00

Screen 2

Intervals of

0:10:00

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Zamora

Shams Banji

1:36

10:00:00 AM

11:36:00 AM

The Zamrock Survivors

Africa24 Media

0:28

10:00:00 AM

10:28:00 AM

The Counselor

Hussein Omar

1:05

11:46:00 AM

12:51:00 PM

The Office of the Prophet

Joshua Waiswa

0:26

10:38:00 AM

11:04:00 AM

The Choice

Kenyegamo Naome

1:00

1:01:00 PM

2:01:00 PM

After Westgate

Africa24 Media

0:29

11:14:00 AM

11:43:00 AM

See through me

Abbdul Mateen Nooran

2:00

2:11:00 PM

4:11:00 PM

A knight in shining Armour

Yawe Sulaiman

0:06

11:53:00 AM

11:59:00 AM

Better Place

Ofla Gudman Kyambadde

1:18

12:09:00 PM

1:27:00 PM

Spying on Susana

Nkambo Robert

1:48

1:37:00 PM

3:25:00 PM

DAY2

Century Cinemax (Acacia Mall,)

Date: 27/08/2014

Century Cinemax (Acacia Mall)

Date: 27/08/2014

Screen 1

Intervals of

0:10:00

Screen 2

Intervals of

0:10:00

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Be my Valentine

Zainab Aziz Patel

1:02

10:00:00 AM

11:02:00 AM

Haunted Christmas

Komaketch Daniel

0:15

10:00:00 AM

10:15:00 AM

Zanda

Joeb

1:20

11:12:00 AM

12:32:00 PM

Man in Trinity

Kayongo Rogers

0:12

10:25:00 AM

10:37:00 AM

Broken silence

Okurut Paul

1:23

12:42:00 PM

2:05:00 PM

Missing

Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine

0:05

10:47:00 AM

10:52:00 AM

Out of Darkness

Nkalubo Ronnie Abraham

1:14

2:15:00 PM

3:29:00 PM

Kungu Master

Kenyegamo Naome

0:04

11:02:00 AM

11:06:00 AM

Trash Cash

Muzahura Wilberforce Musasizi

0:06

3:39:00 PM

3:45:00 PM

Man eater

Kenyegamo Naome

0:03

11:16:00 AM

11:19:00 AM

Teen Cyber Love

Ruth Namatovu

0:12

11:29:00 AM

11:41:00 AM

Mr Credit of Trash Cash

Woko Derrick

0:17

11:51:00 AM

12:08:00 PM

Plan B

Ayemy T Steve

3:35

12:18:00 PM

3:53:00 PM

DAY3

Century Cinemax (Acacia Mall)

Date: 28/08/2014

Century Cinemax (Acacia Mall,)

Date: 26/08/2014

Screen 1

Intervals of

0:10:00

Screen 2

Intervals of

0:10:00

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Mum’s dress

Gerald Serunjogi

0:47

10:00:00 AM

10:47:00 AM

Watch your Back (Part 1)

Kismbira Valerian

0:06

10:00:00 AM

10:06:00 AM

“NAKKU”Am I to blame

Okurut Paul

0:30

10:57:00 AM

11:27:00 AM

Watch your Back (Part 2)

Mugarura Abraham

0:04

10:16:00 AM

10:20:00 AM

Life is a Hustle

Mwebaza Martin

0:28

11:37:00 AM

12:05:00 PM

From Martyrdom to Glory

Geofrey Senyonga

0:58

10:30:00 AM

11:28:00 AM

Greedy

Mutalaigwa Frank

1:18

12:15:00 PM

1:33:00 PM

Let the Kid be

Danny Kigundu

1:00

11:38:00 AM

12:38:00 PM

Munywani Wawe Noha

Niwagaba Amos Musana

1:24

1:43:00 PM

3:07:00 PM

Nakigwanyizi

Tyaba Charles

1:10

12:48:00 PM

1:58:00 PM

DAY 1

Cinema Magic (Naalya)

Date: 26/08/2014

Cinema Magic (Naalya)

Date: 26/08/2014

Screen 1

Intervals of

0:10:00

Screen 2

Intervals of

0:10:00

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

The superstition

Paresh Gondaliya and Zziwa Aaron

1:58

10:00:00 AM

11:58:00 AM

Clan’s wife

Mageya Hassan

2:00

10:00:00 AM

12:00:00 PM

Bullion

Phillip Luswata

2:11

12:08:00 PM

2:19:00 PM

Scoring For Peace

Sarah Farhat

0:50

12:10:00 PM

1:00:00 PM

Strata

Cajetan Boy

1:46

2:29:00 PM

4:15:00 PM

Missing

Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine

0:05

1:10:00 PM

1:15:00 PM

Tim,the Exam

Kenyegamo Naome

0:20

1:25:00 PM

1:45:00 PM

The Sexual Network

Ssemanda Stephen

0:48

1:55:00 PM

2:43:00 PM

In just Hours

Usama Mukwaya

0:13

2:43:00 AM

2:56:00 AM

The Oil

David Masanso

0:04

3:06:00 AM

3:10:00 AM

DAY 2

Cinema Magic (Naalya)

Date: 27/08/2014

Cinema Magic (Naalya)

Date: 27/08/2014

Screen 1

Intervals of

0:10:00

Screen 2

Intervals of

0:10:00

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Amaanyi Go mukwano(Honey Moon)

Prince Joe nakibinge

1:42

10:00:00 AM

11:42:00 AM

Its my Cell phone

Julian Nabunya

0:09

10:00:00 AM

10:09:00 AM

The Inspector

Prince Joy Nakibinge

3:00

11:52:00 AM

2:52:00 PM

Its Me

Sejjemba Saddam

0:13

10:19:00 AM

10:32:00 AM

Abasama

Mutebi Farooq

1:18

3:02:00 PM

4:20:00 PM

Life is a Hustle

Mwebaza Martin

0:28

10:42:00 AM

11:10:00 AM

Wedding

Kenyegamo Naome

0:03

11:20:00 AM

11:23:00 AM

The shot

Matovu Zaed

0:03

11:33:00 AM

11:36:00 AM

The 7-11

Gilbert Kafuuma

0:02

11:46:00 AM

11:48:00 AM

Better Place

Ofla Gudman Kyambadde

1:28

11:58:00 AM

1:26:00 PM

DAY3

Cinemagic (Naalya)

Date: 28/08/2014

Cinema Magic (Naalya)

Date: 28/08/2014

Screen 1

Intervals of

0:10:00

Screen 2

Intervals of

0:10:00

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Ulcers

Ofla Gudman Kyambadde

1:08

10:00:00 AM

11:08:00 AM

Watch over me

Kihire Kennedy

0:19

10:00:00 AM

10:19:00 AM

Innocent Blood

Hussein Musa Roylicar

1:25

11:18:00 AM

12:43:00 PM

The hunt

Bbale Pius

0:06

10:29:00 AM

10:35:00 AM

You can’t break my will

Mariam Ndagire

0:22

12:53:00 PM

1:15:00 PM

The Prodigal Father

James King Bagyenzi

1:30

10:45:00 AM

12:15:00 PM

Saving Mugisha

Dilman Dila

0:18

12:43:00 PM

1:01:00 PM

Take me

Ssewava Ivan

0:12

12:25:00 PM

12:37:00 PM

The Sexual Network

Ssemanda Stephen

0:48

12:47:00 PM

1:35:00 PM

DAY1

Ham Cinema (Makerere)

Date: 26/08/2014

Ham Cinema (Makerere)

Date: 26/08/2014

Screen 1

Intervals of

0:10:00

Screen 2

Intervals of

0:10:00

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Saakitegeeza

Tyaba Charles

1:18

10:00:00 AM

11:18:00 AM

Lake Wamala

Jonan Kato

0:07

10:00:00 AM

10:07:00 AM

Reform

Joseph Ken

1:35

11:28:00 AM

1:03:00 PM

Hepatitis:The New HIV

Kahire Kennedy

0:24

10:17:00 AM

10:41:00 AM

Crazy Decision

Bikoomi Samuel

1:36

1:13:00 PM

2:49:00 PM

Stone Cold

Irene Kulabako

1:07

10:51:00 AM

11:58:00 AM

Love the Game

AnnetNakamya

0:41

2:59:00 PM

3:40:00 PM

Run the world

Mutebi Farouk

1:30

12:08:00 PM

1:38:00 PM

Invasion

Ali Mikenga

0:26

3:50:00 PM

4:16:00 PM

No Bail

Makanga Kizito

0:10

1:48:00 PM

1:58:00 PM

Ensi Eno

Tyaba Charles

1:06

2:08:00 PM

3:14:00 PM

Idi Amin:Famous for the Wrong Reasons

Africa24 Media

0:29

3:24:00 PM

3:53:00 PM

DAY2

Ham Cinema (Makerere)

Date: 27/08/2014

Ham Cinema (Makerere)

Date: 27/08/2014

Screen 1

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0:10:00

Screen 2

Intervals of

0:10:00

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

The Clot

Sejjemba Saddam

1:03

10:00:00 AM

11:03:00 AM

Ram

Nkalubo Ronnie

0:12

10:00:00 AM

10:12:00 AM

The Shadow of Fate

Kingsley Paul Ukaeybu

1:12

11:13:00 AM

12:25:00 PM

Take Me

Ssewava Ivan

0:12

10:22:00 AM

10:34:00 AM

Stigimatization

Semanda Stephen

1:05

12:35:00 PM

1:40:00 PM

Mr.Kaye(Olwatuka)

Hisham Musa

0:10

10:44:00 AM

10:54:00 AM

Phantom Tales,the Awakening

Ali Mikenga

1:38

1:50:00 PM

3:28:00 PM

The Hunter becomes Hunted

2:00

11:04:00 AM

1:04:00 PM

Mr.Kaye(Omusokoto)

Hisham Musa

0:10

1:14:00 PM

1:24:00 PM

DAY3

Ham Cinema (Makerere)

Date: 28/08/2014

Ham Cinema (Makerere)

Date: 28/08/2014

Screen 1

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0:10:00

Screen 2

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0:10:00

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

Name of Film

Director

Runtime (Hrs)

From

About Her

Louella Namirenbe Kibuuka

1:10

10:00:00 AM

11:10:00 AM

The KIU Western Campus digital election

Mulonda Brian

1:30

10:00:00 AM

11:30:00 AM

Arms Of Clay

Daudi Mugabi

1:49

11:20:00 AM

1:09:00 PM

You can’t break my will

Mariam Ndagire

0:23

11:40:00 AM

12:03:00 PM

I Found my way

Patrick Sekyaya

0:20

1:19:00 PM

1:39:00 PM

Deception season one

George Kihumbah

0:30

12:13:00 PM

12:43:00 PM

Nico:The Donkey

Joseph Ken

0:22

1:49:00 PM

2:11:00 PM

Deception season two

George Kihumbah

0:30

12:53:00 PM

1:23:00 PM

Some where in Africa

Kawuma Moses

2:00

2:21:00 PM

4:21:00 PM

Deception season three

Lwanga Benjamin

0:45

1:33:00 PM

2:18:00 PM

John Dumelo, Rosie Motene and Patience Ozokwor for UFF 2014

POLLY KAMUKAMA

Celebrated African actors, John Dumelo, Rosie Motene and Patience Ozokwor will add some star power to this year’s Uganda Film Festival (UFF).

We have been told by reliable sources that the star trio is already in the country and are expected be grace today’s opening ceremony to be held at the Serena Hotel in Kampala a few hours from now.

Ghanaian actor John Dumelo is expected to be a hit with Kampala girls, thanks to his good looks.

South Africa’s Motene, better known for her long-running role on the now troubled hit soap, Generations, is returning as a workshop facilitator having been part of the jury as the festival debuted last year.

Legendary Nigerian actress Ozokwor, best known as Mama G from her evil character in an old Nollywood film, was on the other hand the chief guest at UFF 2014 launch ceremony held in Kampala earlier in June.

Nigerian actress, Patience Ozokwor with UCC executive Director, Godfrey Mutabazi, at the UFF 2014 launch ceremony in June.

It is however Dumelo’s first time in Uganda. The 30-year-old hunky actor whose striking looks have earned him an army of female fans across the continent has so far scooped two ‘African Oscar’ nods in his rather promising career.

It had earlier been romoured that Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the festival’s organizers, were in talks with Oscar winner Lupita Ny’ongo’s agents to have the Kenyan star grace UFF 2014.

Rosie Motene (L) with Ugandan actress Pherrie at last year’s UFF.

The deal fell through leading the communications regulator to turn to the trio, who are now expected to stir up things of their own. They command a huge fan base in Uganda, and the festival is looking to bank on their experience and star status to inspire local filmmakers.

This year’s festival is held under the theme, Empowering Ugandans through Film, and runs from today, Monday, August 25, to Friday.

The opening and closing (awards) ceremonies are strictly exclusive, but the rest of the festival’s programmes – including screenings, workshops and forums – are open to the public.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

Top ten must-see films at UFF 2014

POLLY KAMUKAMA

The second edition of the Uganda Film Festival (UFF) kicks off on Monday with local filmmakers and fans already gearing up for a thrilling weeklong showcase.

And with this year’s festival boasting a whooping 170-plus selection – including 16 films eyeing awards – tensions are high as to which movies will steal the show.

We spent the last one month watching all the participating films, and we thought it would be helpful to take a look at the lineup and share some of the titles we are most excited about. These films may not necessarily be the best (you will realize some of them haven’t even been nominated) but they sure do stand out in one way or the other.

In no particular order, here are our top ten must-watch films at UFF 2014.

1. Crying for Help (Daniel Komakech)

Shot in Gulu, this Best Short award contender is no doubt one of the best films at the festival. It tells the story of a young rape victim’s quest for justice in a crime-riddled community with a corrupt police system.

The film amazingly makes up for its depressing subject matter with a beautiful setting in the form of tall green bushes, round huts and catchy adungu tunes. It’s even more refreshing to know that it was produced by a bunch of novices in a region that is still healing from 20 years of bloody conflict.

UFF 2014 kicks off on Monday and will close with the awards ceremony on Friday, next week.

2. The Invasion (Ali Mikenga)

For a long time now, clichéd dramas about love and witchcraft have been the bedrock of Ugandan cinema. A new crop of filmmakers, including Mikenga, is however pushing the envelope and venturing into more daring genres like sci-fi, animations and horrors.

In this particular short futuristic sci-fi, Uganda is at war with aliens which have invaded the country in search of a priceless mineral. Although its visuals are far from stunning, it’s a groundbreaking film in the area of local sci-fis.

3. Zamora (Shams Bhanji)

This is actually a Tanzanian film but nonetheless it is participating at the Ugandan festival. It is shot in the mystical and mythological island of Zanzibar at tells the story of its eponymous character, a vain artist and serial womanizer on a road to self discovery.

The film is very strong in the technical departments with its cinematography – enriched by Zanzibar’s cryptic streets, mixed culture and sprawling ocean – arguably the best of all the films.

The film was shot and edited by Ugandan-based French filmmaker Cyril Ducottet, and stars Big Brother Africa II winner Richard Bezuidenhout and the 2007 Miss Tanzania, Richa Adhia. It’s up for four awards.

4. Spying On Susana (Robert Nkambo)

This is no doubt the best Ugandan comedy ever made. It revolves around a man, Mose (Anthony Itwara) who sets out to spy on his wife after suspecting she’s having an affair. He enlists the help of his friend Max (Godwin Otwoma) but the duo’s mission takes a drastic (and comic) twist when they get entangled in a robbery scheme.

Its hilarious nature, infectious soundtrack and crisp editing will surely hit you. The film may be up for two awards, but to think that Otwoma is missing on the nom list is a total insult.

Zamora boats some breathtaking cinematography such as this beautiful sunset taken along the Stone Town coastline in Zanzibar.

5. The Felistas Fable (Dilman Dila)

A smelly woman kidnaps a cry-baby man in a quest to break a curse and regain her beauty in this exciting comedy-drama loosely inspired by the plight of fistula sufferers.

This film represented Uganda at this year’s ‘African Oscars’ and is now heading to UFF as the topmost contender with a whooping seven nods. Great sound and acting… there’s also one explicit sex scene that made headlines earlier on this year.

6. Echoes of Love (Dan Mugisha)

With no dialogue and only eight minutes as its total runtime, this film effectively combines all the classic elements of storytelling, delivering twists and turns at the tick of a second.

I personally loved the plot – an impoverished village couple finds bliss in lavishing one another with cheap gifts bought after making the ultimate sacrifice. This is a film that will melt even the most hardened hearts.

7. The Clan’s Wife (Hassan Mageye)

I worked on this film as a script doctor, adviser and publicist. I even gave it its name (it was originally titled My Culture). It’s a great Ugandan story with a broader appeal, the typical style of Mageye.

The film is set in mid-80s Ankole at the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and puts into perspective the barbaric practice of wife inheritance and how it fueled the deadly disease. The film won six awards at the Pearl International Film Festival (Piff) in June, and both its lead actor and actress – Yasin Lubowa and Faridah Kutesa – are up for accolades.

Actress Esther Bwanika seen in a scene from Felistas Fable. The comedy-drama is up for seven awards.

8. On the Line (Denis Onen)

This shocking short film is every parent’s nightmare. It’s a tale of how hard drugs use is on the raise among Ugandan youths. It contains several explicit scenes of drunken youngsters snorting cocaine and engaging in risky sexual behavior.

9. Ten Years a Night (Ali Mikenga)

Apparently based on a true story, this drama-thriller is set in the course of one rainy night where one young man’s world falls apart through a series of unfortunate events. He finds himself facing a life sentence by morning time.

The film is well edited and its script was written with a surgeon’s precision – every second that passes brings more chills. The fact that this film is missing on the nomination list can be seen as proof that the judges faulted in their job.

10. Beauty to Ashes (Irene Kulabako)

You will never see Patricko Mujuuka in any better performance than he delivered in this compelling AIDS drama. The film focuses on the dangers of living in denial and failure to reveal one’s status. It also addresses topical themes of promiscuity, cross-generational sex and parental negligence.

The film is only screening out of competition because its director felt a conflict of interest having worked with Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the festival’s organizers, on some projects.

Special mentions

Reform(Joseph Ken Ssebagala)
The Zamrock Survivors (A24 Media)
The Superstition (Paresh Gondaliya)
Stone Cold (Irene Kulabako)
Nyugunya (Vince Musisi)

N.B: Don’t miss our serial UFF 2014 awards prediction reviews beginning tomorrow.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

Tough job for Uganda Film Festival jury

POLLY KAMUKAMA

The jury for this year’s Uganda Film Festival (UFF) has been given the nearly impossible task of reviewing 179 films in just ten days, we can reveal.

The over demanding assignment began yesterday following the arrival of the international juries over the weekend. Femi Odugbemi (Nigeria), Leonce Ngabo (Burundi) and Germany’s Barbel Mauch will be joined by Uganda’s Sr Domini Dipio and Faustin Misanvu to complete the panel.

Minister for Gender, Mary Karooro Okurut (C), poses with the festival jury and UCC officials at last year’s UFF.

The judges will be expected to preview all the 179 submitted films, compose the official selection, make the nomination lists and chose the winners – all in matter of ten days.

This extra burden on the judges accrues from the festival’s decision to abolish the pre-selection jury this year. The work of the pre-selection jury is to help trim down the submissions into a more manageable number for the official jury.

The official UFF 2014 poster

And their job doesn’t necessarily involve picking the best films, but rather those that resonate with the festival’s mission, theme and audience expectations. During the selection process, thus, a film’s originality and diversity is preferred over its technical perfection.

This writer was part of the five-member pre-selection team that volunteered at last year’s UFF. But some filmmakers felt they were cheated during the process, and have since advised the annual government-run festival to ditch the pre-selection procedure.

Legendary Nigerian actress, Patience Ozokwor, at the UFF 2014 launch ceremony held in Kampala last month.

Reports from Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the festival’s organizers, however suggest that the decision was taken on the advice of last year’s jury after feeling they needed to see more Ugandan films.

Now, the mantle is on this year’s judges to get the work done in record time ahead of the August 25-29 showcase. To be able to pull it off, they will need to review an average of 17 films per day including some good number of features that drag way beyond two hours.

UCC boss, Godfrey Mutabazi

James Owaraga, a member of the festival’s organizing committee and UCC’s Film specialist, however told us in an exclusive interview last week that there is a possibility of extending the jury’s contract if the need arises.

Owaraga, who admits the young festival still has a lot to learn, also shared some insights about this year’s UFF to be held under the theme: Empowering Ugandans Through Film.

On top of the statuettes, winners at this year’s UFF will likely walk away with hefty bonus prizes courtesy of the festival’s corporate sponsors.

A total of 179 films, down from last year’s 189, have been submitted. Of these, only about 60 will make the official selection.

A total of 15 awards, up from last year’s eight are up for grabs including new entrants: Best East African Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Costumes and Best Documentary. Two honorary awards will also be given out.

State Research Bureau (SRB), a drama about the excesses of Obote II soldiers, was the biggest winner at last year’s UFF. As part of the bonus prizes, the film’s director, Matt Bish (L) got a fully-sponsored trip to this year’s Cannes Film Festival in France.

A total of 13 films are vying for the regional award, and they are all from Kenya, including seven from one filmmaker, Jackline Anyango.

The biggest bet however is on the Ugandan films which only seem to get better every year. We have so far had about ten successful premieres since the start of the year yet many more films are expected to make their debut at the festival.

Film professor, Sr Dominic Dipio, retains her job as the head of the five-member jury.

May’s Pearl International Film Festival (Piff), which can be seen as a benchmark for UFF, was a loop-sided affair with new AIDS film The Clan’s Wife scooping six accolades.

But the film won’t find it as plain ailing at UFF, where it will have to tussle it out with the likes of Reform, The Superstition and Plan B – all which had impressive premieres recently.

Among the much anticipated films lined up for premiere at the festival include: Kent & Kate (Jayant Maru), Stranger in the Mirror (Dickson Kaluya), Bala Bala Sese (Bashir Lukyamuzi) and Behind the Walls (Joe Nakibinge).

Applications to attend the festival’s workshops and trainings are underway, and successful candidates will be notified by email.

This year’s festival boasts strong corporate sponsorship which might mean bigger awards for the lucky winners.

Now in its second edition, UFF is part of the ongoing government efforts to promote Uganda’s film industry. But the festival has so far won as much criticism as praise.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

New Amin movie too holy for Hollywood

POLLY KAMUKAMA

A Distant Grief, the upcoming international film about the martyrdom of Christians in Uganda during Idi Amin’s tumultuous eight-year reign, has been deemed ‘too holy and too black’ for Hollywood.

The film, which begins shooting in Uganda early next year, is an adaptation of the Ugandan politician and clergyman Kefa Sempangi’s 1979 autobiography of the same name.

Dan Fabrizio, the American director and co-writer of ‘A Distant Grief’.

It will offer details of how thousands of Christians were butchered on Amin’s orders in the ‘70s, as well as Sempangi’s own lucky escape from the dictator’s henchmen.

We earlier reported on this blog how the film was looking to get funding from Hollywood but has since been turned down, forcing its American writer and director, Dan Fabrizio, to produce it himself.

A dummy artwork of the film adapted from Kefa Sempangi’s 1979 autobiography.

Now, a bitter Fabrizio has opened up on why exactly his project was snubbed by Hollywood studio executives.

“My film doesn’t have the extreme profanities, drug-use and sex scenes that usually excite studio executives,” a seemingly disappointed Fabrizio told us in an exclusive interview recently.

Fabrizio had intially meant to cast Hollywood stars Don Cheadle and Dennis Haysbert as the lead actors, but can no longer afford their paychecks as an independent producer.

The 57-year-old documentary filmmaker, who was recently in the country to audition over 500 local actors for the film, said the producers loved his script’s violent and brutal nature but were nonetheless unwilling to invest in something that ‘doesn’t fit the Hollywood standards’.

He described the said standards as ‘the Adam Sandler type of movies’, and suggested that the film industry in his home country is deeply entrenched in moral debauchery, financial greed and racism.

Ugandan actress Sarah Kisauzi auditioning for a role in the film.

A white American, Fabrizio believes his film was racially prejudiced because it is set in Africa and features a predominant black cast – another stain on Hollywood’s deplorable record in promoting black cinema.

But Christian films have perhaps suffered the greatest brunt of Hollywood’s commercialized system with such iconic pictures as Unforgiven and The Passion of Christ having been laughed off, but went on to become global hits.

Dan Fabrizio with his Ugandan producers Ashabel Malinga (L) and Eleanor Nansibo Nawiso (R) at the recent auditions. Nansibo is Kefa Sempangi’s daughter.

And it is from such success stories that Fabrizio, a born again Christian, picks his inspiration to continue with his mission of bringing Sempangi’s story to the big screen.

“Sometimes it is not about the profits but rather the impact the story will have on society,” he says of Sempangi’s book, which has sold a good number of copies in Europe and America but still largely remains unknown to Ugandans.

Fabrizio first came into contact with A Distant Grief in 1990. He later befriended Sempangi, and in 2010, they co-wrote the screenplay.

A Ugandan actress auditioning for a role in the film.

The film was initially meant to cast celebrated American actors Don Cheadle and Dennis Haysbert in the lead roles. But now that Fabrizio can no longer afford the duo’s paychecks following the Hollywood snub, he will have to do with a cheaper all-Ugandan cast.

The film will be produced under Fabrizio’s Dogwood Media Productions at a budget of $5m (Shs12.5bn), which he hopes to raise through crowd-funding, individual sponsorship and a bank loan.

So far, Fabrizio and team have only been able to raise $200,000 (about Shs500m), but hope to get another $200,000 before end of year through a series of fundraisers in Uganda.

Another round of open auditions will be held in Kampala this September to find replacements for Cheadle and Haysbert plus a few other characters ahead of the January 2015 shooting.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

Hundreds audition for Idi Amin film

POLLY KAMUKAMA

Over 500 Ugandan actors have auditioned to partake in an upcoming international film about how Idi Amin persecuted Christians during his eight-year bloody reign as Ugandan president.

A Distant Grief is an adaptation of the Ugandan politician and clergyman Dr Kefa Sempangi’s autobiography of the same title, and will begin shooting in Uganda January next year.

'Deception' actress, Sarah Kisauzi, during her audition.

‘Deception’ actress, Sarah Kisauzi, is eyeing a big role in the movie.

We broke news of the project on this blog earlier this year, revealing that the feature film would be written and directed by American filmmaker, Dan Fabrizio, and would cast a mix of top Hollywood and Ugandan actors.

Auditions to select the Ugandan cast were held last week at the National Theatre in Kampala with hundreds of actors turning up to give it a shot during the two-day exercise.

The auditions attracted some of the biggest names in Ugawood, including Sarah Kisauzi, Mathew Nabwiso, Prynce Okuyo, Allie Mutaka, Esther Bwanika, Ernest Bumba and Micheal Wawuyo Sr among others.

Child actors were especially outstanding at the auditions.

Many novice actors including this little girl impressed at the auditions.

But it was rather the young and novice actors who stole the show, leaving Fabrizio and team spoilt for choice on who to take.

“I have no doubt that some of these performances can easily win an Oscar,” Fabrizio told us at the end of the first round of auditions on Thursday, where 300 actors were tested.

The number nearly doubled on Friday, leading the 57-year-old documentary filmmaker to consider holding another round of auditions sometime in September ahead of the January 2015 shooting.

An actor cuts a mean demeanor to look the part.

An actor cuts a mean face to look the part.

But the born-again Christian, who also teaches filmmaking in his hometown of Seattle, has bemoaned the possibility of missing out on securing the services of Hollywood superstars, Don Cheadle and Dennis Haysbert, whom he had previously courted to play the film’s lead roles.

Fabrizio explained that although the duo is enthusiastic about the project, their agents are stalling negations by demanding hefty paychecks for their clients.

“Haysbert’s agent is demanding for $5m (about Shs12.5bn) which is our total budget for the film. Cheadle is asking for twice as much,” a seemingly disappointed Fabrizio said, quickly adding it will be a blessing for Uganda if his compatriots indeed pull out.

(l-R) Ashabel Malinga, Dan Fabrizio and actress Eleanor Nabwiso Nansibo judging the auditions. Nansibo is Sempangi’s daughter and one of the film’s Ugandan producers.

“We want Ugandans to own this film in every single way because it is their story,” he said, explaining the only reason he wanted Hollywood star power on board was to make it easier for him to get funding.

Fabrizio had also hoped the two wealthy black American actors would contribute some money to the project, but now finds himself having to devise other means of getting funding.

An actor dramatises a torture scene during audition.

An actor dramatises a torture scene during the audition.

He has so far only been able to raise $200,000 (about Shs500m) from a crowd funding campaign out of the $5m (Shs12.5bn) total production budget.

His plan is to raise at least $400,000 (about Shs1bn) before the end of this year so as to be able to get a bank loan of $5m back in the U.S. He says it is hard to get funding in Hollywood for a film that features a predominant black cast.

The film’s Ugandan associate producer, Ashabel Malinga, says a number of fundraising activities will be organized in Kampala starting next month to help raise at least $200,000.

Hollywood stars, Don Cheadle and Dennis Haysbert, had initially been slated to play the film’s lead characters but have since bailed out on the project due to paycheck rows.

Rumour also has it that government is considering supporting the project as was the case with The Last King of Scotland which enjoyed enormous logistical support from President Museveni including granting the filming crew access to statehouse, army garrisons and other highly confidential places.

A Distant Grief has spent over two decades in the making after Fabrizio first read Sempangi’s book in 1990. The two men later met and agreed to adapt it into a film. It wasn’t until 2010, however, that the duo co-wrote the script Fabrizio’s sabbatical in Uganda.

The film, to be produced under Fabrizio’s Dogwood Media Productions, is expected to depict terrifying circumstances under which thousands of Christians were butchered on Amin’s orders in the ’70s.

Above all, however, Fabrizio says the film is meant to show God’s amazing grace, and how Christianity has stood the test of time.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

Mageye aggrieved despite sweeping ‘Ugandan Oscars’

POLLY KAMUKAMA

His film might have won a whooping six accolades at last weekend’s Pearl International Film Festival (Piff) awards, but Ugandan filmmaker Hassan Mageye is no happy man.

Mageye’s film, The Clan’s Wife, was the star of this year’s ‘Ugandan Oscars’, winning half of its whooping dozen nominations at a low-key ceremony held at Hotel Triangle in Kampala on Saturday. With a nod in just about every category, the film only managed to scoop accolades for Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress awards, Best Editor and Best Makeup.

Hassan Mageye (suit and tie) along with his ‘Clan’s Wife’ team feel they deserved more awards.

And now, in a rather surprising twist of events, the 31-year-old fast-rising filmmaker on Monday told of his dissatisfaction with some of the results of the night, claiming his film deserved to win some more awards.

He is particularly aggrieved by the jury’s decision to deny his film awards in the Best Script, Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Music Score categories.

“I have watched the films that won in those categories and truthfully they are not better than mine,” a composed Mageye told us in the exclusive interview, cautious not to rub his rivals the wrong way.

‘The Clan’s Wife’ lead cast, Farida Kutesa and Yasin Lubowa, seen here in a scene, were both awarded for their stellar performances.

His film, which he wrote, produced and directed, is a poignant tale of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in western Uganda during the mid-80s.

It had been expected to register a haul, but as fate would have it, half of the awards it came eyeing – mainly in the supporting role and technical categories – proved all but elusive.

Mageye now believes the jury might have intentionally denied his film some of the awards in order to even the competition and encourage other filmmakers. He suspects some of his competitors might have been awarded out of sympathy rather than for their artistic credibility.

“I don’t blame anyone. The judges did what they had to do. It would have been so boring to have one film taking all the awards,” Mageye said, adding he is keen to see how the situation will play out at other upcoming local film awards where he will likely faceoff against the same opposition.

This writer took home the Best Media Personality award.

For now, though, Mageye says his cast and crew are savouring the massive win which comes exactly a week after his previous film, Kings Virgin, won a prestigious accolade in Zanzibar. The film is about a debauched African King with a penchant for young virgin girls, and it dominated last year’s Piff, scooping five awards.

Elsewhere, as bonus for winning Best Actor and Best Actress awards at Piff 2014, Yasin Lubowa and Faridah Kutesa received scholarship bursaries courtesy of Mpooma Royal College. The duo will likely give the free study opportunity to their children or relatives in secondary school.

It was however a gloomy night for the second most-nominated film, Ensasagge, which walked away empty-handed despite its nine nods.

Filmmaker Muhamood Kyeyune, who hitherto had never won any award, collected two individual accolades for his work on two different films.

Festival director and founder, Moses Magezi, seen here at the Piff 2014 nomination night with head jury, Cindy Magara, promised a better festival next year.

This writer on the other hand retained the Best Media Personality award, having win it last year with The Observer newspaper, while WBS TV was named Best Media House. Ugawood pioneer, Ashraf Ssemwogerere, was given the honorary lifetime achievement award but wasn’t in attendance to claim it.

This year’s festival largely stayed under the radar, and was undoubtedly the most disorganized of all Piff’s four editions since inception in 2011.

A limited budget forced organizers to take drastic cost-cutting measures, which in the end compromised the festival’s legacy as a multi-programmed cinema showcase with relevant workshops and glamorous awards.

An attempt to reach out to more audiences by taking their screenings to downtown video shacks (bibandas)terribly backfired as the festival lost its core fans who were used to it being held at the National Theatre, right in the heart of town.

A group photo of some of the winners.

There was also hardly any publicity, and most filmmakers ended up missing their screenings let alone the awards. The awards ceremony itself was hastily organized at a hotel poolside, and lacked the usual glitz that has come to be associated with the previous editions.

Despite the hitches, however, there’s no denying Piff’s contribution to the local film industry. It’s been a regular fixture on the local entertainment chart, and has grown to be the favored place to catch a real authentic Ugandan movie.

The festival has also been lauded for uniting uptown and downtown filmmaking factions through its various outreach programmes, and for providing a perfect networking platform for all industry players.

Piff awards, fondly known as ‘Ugandan Oscars’, are also seen by many as the benchmark for identifying the best film talents in the country.

The festival’s director and founder, Moses Magezi, said his team will work towards giving their audience a better showcase next year.

Full List of Winners

1. Best Feature Film –The Clan’s Wife

2. Best Director-Hassan Mageye (The Clan’s Wife)

3. Best Screenplay-Broken Silence (Paul Okurut & James Babalanda)

4. Best Editor-Williams Bbosa (The Clan’s Wife)

5. Best Actor-Yasin Lubowa (The Clan’s Wife)

6. Best Supporting Actor-Bbosa Sserunkuuma (Enkomerero)

7. Best Actress-Farida Kuteesa (The Clan’s Wife)

8. Best Supporting Actress-Jennifer Nakulima (Enyonta Etavumulwa)

9. Best Makeup & Costume Designer-Shakira Kibirige (The Clan’s Wife)

10. Best Sound-Run the World (Bobich Media)

11. Best Original Music Score-Akamuli (Jargezi Kibali, Hassan Mukasa, Joan Ndagire & Madina Nassali)

12. Best Director of Photography-Mohamood Kyeyune (Saakitegeera)

13. Best Set Design-Ensi Eno (Mohamood Kyeyune)

14. Best Short Film-Me Myself and I

15. Best Student Film-Breaking the Mesh (Kennedy Kihire, Mak University)

16. Best Action Film-Crazy World

17. Best Thriller/Horror Film-The Phantom Tales

18. Best Media Personality-Polly Kamukama (The Critic blog)

19. Best Media House-WBS TV

20. Lifetime Achievement Award-Ashraf Ssemwogerere

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

Mageye finds new inspiration in Zanzibar award

POLLY KAMUKAMA

It might be just days since he won an award at East Africa’s premium film festival, but Ugandan filmmaker Hassan Mageye is already sure the milestone will turn around his career.

Mageye’s film, King’s Virgin, was on Saturday crowned Best East African Film at the Zanzibar International Film Festival (Ziff) in Zanzibar, Tanzania, beating off stiff competition from dozens of other titles from across the region.

Hassan Mageye (L) receiving his award from Polly Kamukama at the Film Classification offices in Kampala yesterday.

Unfortunately, the fast-rising filmmaker did not attend the ceremony held in the historic seaside city of Stone Town. His award was instead picked up by this writer, who was part of the festival’s storytelling workshop courtesy of a German International Cooperation (GIZ) sponsorship.

A brief ceremony was yesterday organized at the Uganda Film Classification Secretariat offices in Kampala, where this writer works, to give Mageye his gold-plated dhow-shaped statuette.

And the 31-year-old soft spoken filmmaker told of how winning the prestigious accolade has given him new goals in life.

Mageye savours in his Ziff victory at the Classification office yesterday.

“I feel like I have now set the bar so high for myself. My plan now is to start making films that appeal to a global audience and can compete on the world stage,” he elatedly announced, revealing the film’s selection was itself a big surprise.

He said he only submitted in the film as an experiment to gauge himself against filmmakers from other African countries.

But then it had been clear righty from the onset that King’s Virgin was no ordinary film – it went to Ziff after collecting five awards at the Pearl International Film Festival (Piff) and two nods at Uganda Film Festival (UFF) in Kampala last year.

Mageye says the award has motivated him to work more.

In Zanzibar, the low-budget picture stunned audiences with its critical portrayal of a traditional African King who is allowed to amass a harem of young virgin girls for sexual pleasure.

Amid the hype enjoyed by the international films that participated at this year’s Ziff – including Half of a Yellow Sun (Nigeria/U.S.A), The Thorn of the Rose (Guinea Bissau/Portugal) and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (South Africa/U.S.A) – the Ugawood film still managed to draw sizable audiences to its screenings.

The awards jury chose it on grounds of its authentic storytelling, great acting and panafrican themes, something Hassan says is easy to pull off even with less than Shs10m as a production budget.

Ziff is headquartered at the ancient Old Fort building in Stone Town, Zanzibar, which once served as the sultan’s castle.

“What government should focus on now is addressing issues relating to film distribution, copyright and training,” he said, challenging other Ugandan filmmakers to copy his example and start making films that challenge the system.

The South African-trained filmmaker now hopes to submit his award-winning film to other festivals as well as officially premiering it in Kampala before end of this year.

But the one thing Mageye will be keeping a keen eye on is this Saturday’s Piff awards at Hotel Triangle in Kampala.

His latest film, The Clan’s Wife, which explores the mid-80s HIV/AIDS scourge in western Uganda, heads to the ‘Ugandan Oscars’ with a whooping 12 nominations including the ‘big four’.

It’s also in contention for a number of awards in the technical and supporting cast categories, and yet Mageye reckons it will do much better than King’s Virgin.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

UFF 2014 bigger and better

POLLY KAMUKAMA

Ugandan filmmakers and fans can look forward to multiple workshops, better films and bigger awards at this year’s Uganda Film Festival (UFF), we can reveal.

Officials from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the festival’s organizers, have suggested that the second edition of UFF has been beefed up not only to empower and reward Ugandan filmmakers, but to also offer a thrilling experience for festivalgoers.

The official UFF 2014 poster

“We have taken into account all the positive suggestions we received from the public, and we can promise that this year’s festival will be better than last year’s,” Leonard Amanya, the festival’s information officer, told us in an exclusive interview yesterday.

The revelation comes ahead of UFF 2014’s official launch ceremony due Tuesday next week where over 200 guests are expected to attend, apparently including the legendary Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor.

On top of receiving this accolade, this year’s winners will likely walk away with other goodies courtesy of corporate sponsorship.

UFF debuted last year as part of the ongoing government efforts to develop the local film industry.

As the communications sector regulator, which is also charged with overseeing film exhibition and distribution in Uganda, UCC came up with the idea of holding an annual film festival to provide a platform where Ugandan filmmakers could showcase, market and promote their work free of charge.

UCC Executive Director Godfrey Mutabazi.

Critics were however quick to question the move, arguing that UCC should rather have supported the existing festivals or better still provided funds to filmmakers. The regulatory body was also accused of stealing the festival idea and name by a local film producer.

Despite the controversies, however, UFF has enjoyed massive support from the industry, with most Ugandan filmmakers now viewing it as the ultimate platform to network and reach their audiences.

The writer and actress Monica Birwinyo at UFF awards ceremony last year.

Last year’s edition boasted a whooping 189 films, a film market, workshops and an awards ceremony. But there’s likely to be a more manageable number of films this year, including at least ten premieres.

To add to the excitement, this year’s competition categories have been expanded to 15, up from last year’s eight. Some of the new categories include Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Documentary and Best Costuming. There will also be an award for Best East African Film, as well as two honorary accolades.

Plans are also afoot to have more corporate companies sponsor individual categories such that winners get bonus prizes on top of the statuettes.

By press time, the Nolywood actress Patience Ozokwor was being courted to grace Tuesday’s launch ceremony.

We also understand the newly opened Century Cinemax (Acacia Mall) and Cinemax cinema (Ham Towers) are likely to join Cineplex as the host venues.

Meanwhile, UCC yesterday released the official poster for UFF 2014. The rather simple artwork features 11 famous Ugawood faces framed within the map of Uganda, with that of US-based Ugandan actor Ntare Mwine being the most prominent.

Tuesday’s launch ceremony will take place at UCC’s Bugolobi headquarters in Kampala, and will feature a cocktail as well as the release of the festival’s official programme. It’s a strictly-by-invite event.

After the launch, submissions will immediately open up until July 17. All Ugandan films that didn’t participate at last year’s UFF are eligible to participate regardless of their year of release.

A subsequent buildup campaign featuring regional tours, charity games and media blitz will then lead into the five-day festival (August 25-29) to be themed Empowering Ugandan Through Film.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

At 40, Gondaliya finally fulfills his childhood dream

POLLY KAMUKAMA

Like millions of other Indian kids, he grew up watching Bollywood films and idolizing their stars. But it was until his early teens that Paresh Gondaliya decided he wanted to partake in the industry.

His family had immigrated to Kenya and were living a serene life at the coastal town of Mombasa when the die was cast. It was in the early ‘80s and his hometown had played host to the set of one of India’s groundbreaking films, Hoshiyar.

Gondaliya’s debut film, The Superstition, features an all-star cast as seen here in its advertising artwork.

“The film was literally shot in our backyard, and I was there all the time during production. It was a very fascinating experience for all the local kids,” Gondaliya fondly recalls of the moment he decided on his career path.

At first, he wanted to become an actor just like his idols Amitabh Bachchan and Salim Khan. But then there was no industry in Kenya. So, he decided he had to create his own opportunities by writing and directing his own films.

At 40 years old, Paresh Gondaliya looks to score big with his first professional film.

His resolution got a new lease of life when his family moved to Uganda in 1993, right at the peak of liberalization and Indian investment in the country.

He used a small family fortune to establish Topcon Builders Ltd, an elite metal fabrication and stone-carving workshop that up to now still stands proud at Old Kampala hill, and remains his main source of income.

Gondaliya (R) on the set of ‘The Superstition’.

In the absence of a movie industry in Uganda at the time, the married father-of-two patiently nurtured his business with the hope of using its proceeds to bankroll his filmmaking career.

And in 2003, Gondaliya decided it was time to give it a shot. With no formal training in filmmaking, and using a cheap camcorder, he gathered a few family members and friends and set out to make his first feature film.

Gondaliya, seen here directing ‘Superstition’, got most of his skills from attending Amakula workshops.

“It was a horror story titled The Haunted House. I had no script, and I was the only crew member,” recalls the 40-year-old businessman-cum-filmmaker.

The resulting work, he says, was a subject of mockery and ridicule by a few friends he showed it to. But rather than sulk, the small-bodied man who speaks with a slight stammer took delight in the criticism and set out to improve his art.

FAMILY MAN: Gondaliya, his wife and their two children. In the background is a banner advertising their family business.

“I later undertook acting, scriptwriting and directing classes with Amakula (film festival) from where I was able to meet some of my current collaborators,” says the horror movie aficionado who loves to travel.

He even had cameo roles in the Oscar-winning film, The Last King of Scotland, as well as Patrick Sekyaya’s The Ugandan, stints that boasted his confidence and bettered him as a director.

Gondaliya’s first experimental film, which he claims to have made back in 2003, was ridiculed by friends and family.

Fast forward to today and Gondaliya is finally at the verge of launching a career as a filmmaker. He is the man behind the much anticipated film, The Superstition, whose premiere is set for July 1 at the National Theatre in Kampala.

The feature film starring an all-star cast including Roger Masaba, Ernest Bbumba, Jayant Maru and Edlyn Sabrina among others explores the evil practice of child sacrifice in Uganda, probing the socio-economic factors that fuel it.

Gondaliya says he has finally achieved his dream of becoming a filmmaker.

“As a parent, it is always heartbreaking for me to read stories about children being slaughtered like goats in the hope of getting rich,” Gondaliya says of the inspiration behind the film he directed and co-produced with his younger brother, Deepak, under their company, Gondaliya Brothers Motion Pictures Ltd.

Written by Aaron Zziwa, the film has already been selected to participate at this year’s Ugu Film Festival in South Africa due this September. And its gripping trailer is steadily raking hits on YouTube.

An earlier artwork of ‘Superstition’.

But Gondaliya, who now calls Uganda home, decries a number of challenges hampering the local industry’s development. Top on the list is lack of sponsorship which he says is taking a toll on his premiere.

He is however hopeful Ugawood will eventually grow to match the likes of Bollywood and Ugawood “for as long as more focused at outward-looking players like myself keep coming onto the scene.”

In his free time, Gondaliya likes to travel the world and spend some time with his wife and their two children – aspiring actors, Krishna, 14, and Raj, 12.

For ticket reservation to The Superstition premiere, please call 0758132511 or 0782205021.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com