Masaka, Mbarara film makers commended for resilience in Regional Short Films Competition

Mbarara; MultiChoice Uganda the home of great pay TV entertainment in conjunction with Uganda Communications Commission have recognized and rewarded film makers in Masaka and Mbarara in the Uganda Film Festival regional film makers competition.

The film competition has seen participation from North, East, Central and Western Uganda recording participation from over 100 submissions.

In her remarks, Eng Irene Kaggwa Ssewankambo the ED Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) revealed that the Uganda Film Festival will celebrate 10 years in June and in a bid to recognize and support local talent, they sought to hold regional film competitions.

“It is impressive to see that our regional film makers have progressed and gained remarkable skills over the years. I would like to encourage each one of you however to embrace and vigorously work towards to getting better at film making,” she said.

Ssewankambo further stated that UCC is committed to working together with partners like MultiChoice Uganda in improving and elevating the Ugandan film industry.

“With collaborations and partnerships with entities like MultiChoice Uganda, we are confident that our industry in due time will favourably compete with international industries like Hollywood, Nollywood or Bollywood.” Ssewankambo added.

Brian Mulondo the Local Content Marketing Manager MultiChoice Uganda educated and informed the filmmakers on how best they can earn and reap from content creation.

“MultiChoice Uganda is deliberate on empowering and improving the Ugandan film industry. We currently have over four channels dedicated to telling the local story: Pearl Magic, Pearl Magic Prime, Pearl Magic Loko and Maisha Magic Movies,” Mulondo noted.

Mulondo also encouraged film makers to formalize their businesses, register them officially and adopt the habit of running professional film production houses.

“If we are to take on your content, MultiChoice mandates that we should work with fully registered law-abiding film makers. I therefore urge each of you to register your production houses and get into the habit of transacting as professionals,” Mulondo noted.

The winners of both Masaka and Mbarara regions walked away with cash prizes of UGX 2,000,000, while the 1st runners-up took home UGX 1,000,000 per region.

The short film competition is part of the activities that Uganda Communications Commission and MultiChoice undertook building up to the 10th anniversary of the Uganda Film Festival.

The awards Gala Night will take place on 02nd June, 2023 at UICT Nakawa grounds. www.showbizuganda.com