The annual Uganda Film Festival (UFF) returned this week as per their September calendar. This year, they kick started the week long activities with master classes for film directors and producers. There is was also a beginners class all at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and at the Metroplex in Naalya.
These film classes are to equip Ugandan film makers with skills required to improve production ahead of the next film year. There have been workshops in marketing and promotion of film and technical production classes. “I think this is a good platform whatsoever. The competition is good for the industry even though there are areas that they ought to have improved gauging for last year’s awards” said budding actor Shaba (Tronic) Serunkuuma.
Indeed, a head of the final event on Friday, there are areas that need concentration. It is credible that outstanding cinemas across Kampala continue to support this cause of showing local films, but these need to continue the effort of showcasing the film even later in the year through till the next UFF’s.
“I think local cinemas like Century Cinemax, Metroplex, Ham Cinemax and the rest should devote more to showing local films at least one every often instead of just waiting for UFF” argued another movie critique, Andrew Kaggwa after last year’s awards.
While there were complaints about organisers not showing any films at the opening gala, this should be made up for this year. Organisers had also better prepared the footage of categories with faces of the nominee and clips from the movies while they present the different awards.
Movie Line up
Starting today till Thursday, there will be local films screening at Century Cinemax at Accasia Mall in Kisementi, KamwokyaEach of these films has a parental guidance mark only about five rated at PG 18. For instance Imbabazi for violence, given its subject of the Rwandese Genocide and Sigabana for sexual undertones.
23rd, Screen 1
Vvulugu (Dirty Games) @10:OO am
The Athlete @12:00 pm
Dream America @2:00 pm
Screen 2
Love and Medicine @10:00 am
New Intentions @11:20 am
Evil Mother “The Eclipse” @12:40 pm
Freedom @1:00 pm
24th, Screen 1
A Girl From Lamwo @10:00 am
The Protector @12:10 pm
The Only Son @1:55 pm
Screen 2
Sigabana “The Crash” @10:00 am
Nantabuulirirwa @1:12 pm
25th, Screen 1
Uganda Pollock @10:00 am
Samantha @11:52 am
Wako @1:04 pm
Screen 2
Imbabazi The Pardon @10:00 am
Evil Mother “The Eclipse” @11:33 am
Invisible Cuffs @1:23 pm
At the National Theatre, about 13 films were screened on Monday including The First Man (The Hunt) directed by Bongomin Michael, The Birth by Yessica Diana, The Run Away Rollex by Musis Alex among others. Today, another sixteen movies are screening at the theatre till 4pm.
Respect you Parents @9:09 am
Never Admire @9:29 am
Samantha @10:31 am
Jinxed @10:55 am
How it Feels to be a Virgin @11:08am
Wardrobe @11:32 am
Wande @11:42 am
Don’t Lick @12:23 pm
My Enkuumi Taano @1:06 pm
Taste of Time @1:16 pm
The Invasion @1:51 pm
Uganda Pearl of Africa @2:23 pm
The Three RabbitsLife on Wheels @2:57 pm
Extreme Artists, Uganda Video Jockeys @4:22 pm
Taking Water (Mulalama) @4:32 pm
Award Categories
Among those screening are a couple of films which were nominated for a categories in the Uganda Film Festival Awards due to crown this week on Friday. The awards shall be graced at the Kampala Serena Hotel with film makers, Uganda movie fans and stakeholders in the ripple market of the film industry.
The First man was nominated for Best Animation Film along with Kiggunddu Joel’s Respect the road, The Runaway Rollex and Allan Muskoke’s Asaf The Painter. Jinxed by Gary Mugisha which also won best short film during the Maisha Film Festival is in the same category for UFF 2016.Aaron Alone Zziwa’s Wako is in the category of best Cinematography, Best Feature Film, Film of the Year/Best Director.
The Only son which premiered earlier this month at Kampala Serena Hotel is nominated for Best Screen play, Best Editing/Post Production, Best Feature Film, Best Actor in Film, Film of the Year/Best Director. Invinsible is in for best Screen play, costume/Production Designer, Best Sound, Best Feature Film, Best Actor and Best Actress in Film, Film of the Year/Best Director.
Then Dream America was nominated in Best Cinematography, Best editing/post production, Best Costume/Prod designer, Best Actor in Film. Freedom in Best Screen play Best costume/Prod design, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Editing/Post Production, Best Feature film, Best Actor in Film, Film of the year/Best Director.
Majority of the very competitive films have been nominated in like categories, showing a range of contested positions in the movie industry. Evidence is one of the few that has been nominated for a single category (best cinematography)
dsebamala@ug.nationmedia.com
