The Ugandan film industry celebrated its brightest stars at the 11th edition of the Uganda Film Festival (UFF) held on June 8th, 2024. Nisha Kalema’s “Makula” emerged as the night’s biggest winner, taking home four awards including Best Feature Film and Best Director (shared with Dan Mugisha).
Makula, a story about a woman navigating the complexities of marriage, resonated with the judges, garnering additional wins for Best Production Design (Imran Musabbeh) and Best Cinematography (Alex Ireeta).
The festival, established in 2013 to foster the local film scene, saw a record-breaking 307 submissions across 25 categories. This year’s nominees hailed from a diverse pool of 50 films.
Several other productions received well-deserved recognition. The television drama series “Damalie” scored double victories for Best TV Drama/Series and Best Actress in TV Series (Doreen Mirembe). Meanwhile, “Christmas Together” garnered awards for Best Sound Design (Isiko Abubaker) and Best Screenplay (Eleanor Nabwiso).
The night also saw rising talents and established figures acknowledged. Michael Wawuyo received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, while viewers themselves crowned “Omukululo” the Best Viewers’ Choice Film.
From captivating narratives like “Makula” to technical mastery showcased in films like “The Last Shoemaker” (Best Short Film) and “Soccer Heart” (Best Post-Production), the UFF 2024 solidified its role as a significant platform for Ugandan filmmaking.
