The 2024 Ikon Fellowship program reached its exciting climax in Kampala as Nigerian actor and director Ramsey Nouah joined the audience for the premiere of short films produced by young Ugandan filmmakers. The event, held at the Reach A Hand headquarters in Lungujja, showcased five powerful short films centered on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as well as other pressing social issues affecting young people. The evening also marked the official unveiling of Kwiso TV, a new streaming platform dedicated to promoting Ugandan and East African stories.

The Ikon Fellowship program, organized by Reach A Hand Uganda, provided aspiring filmmakers with masterclasses and a $500 grant per pair to produce their short films. The goal was to equip young talent with the skills and resources needed to tell impactful stories while addressing critical societal challenges. The films premiered at the event will soon be available on Kwiso TV, a platform designed to amplify African voices by showcasing content that reflects the region’s diverse cultures, languages, and experiences.

Humphrey Nabimanya, the founder of Ikon Awards and Reach A Hand Uganda, urged Ugandans to support the local film industry by registering for Kwiso TV. He emphasized that the platform is actively seeking content from filmmakers, including films, documentaries, and TV series. Nabimanya also highlighted the strong representation of women in this year’s fellowship, with 60% of participants being female. This focus on gender inclusivity was evident in the themes explored by the filmmakers, many of whom chose to highlight issues affecting women and girls.

Ramsey Nouah, a celebrated figure in Nollywood, expressed his admiration for the young filmmakers and pledged his support to bridge the gap between the Ugandan and Nigerian film industries. He emphasized that storytelling transcends language and cultural barriers, describing film as a universal language. Nouah’s presence at the event was not only a morale booster for the participants but also a sign of growing collaboration within Africa’s creative industries.

The premiere was an emotional affair as each filmmaker took the stage to share their journey. Many spoke about the challenges they faced during production, the lessons learned from the fellowship, and the passion that drove them to tell their stories. For some, the experience was deeply personal, as their films mirrored real-life struggles in their communities. The audience was moved by their honesty and dedication, creating an atmosphere of celebration and reflection.

Rhoda Nansubuga Ssegane, one of the fellows, described the program as a transformative experience that sharpened her skills in scriptwriting, production, and directing. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bring her vision to life and looked forward to more achievements in her filmmaking career. Another participant, Solomon Otengo, shared his emotional journey while directing a documentary about people living with vitiligo. He admitted feeling nervous about handling the subject sensitively but found the experience enlightening and inspiring.

The climax of the evening was the announcement of the Viewers’ Choice award, voted by the audience after screening all five films. The winning film, Ssuubi, is a documentary that follows the life of Ssuubi Abdurahman, a young man living with vitiligo. The film explores his painful experiences with bullying, stigma, and isolation, as well as his journey toward self-acceptance and resilience. The powerful storytelling and emotional depth of Ssuubi resonated with the audience, earning it the top spot.

The filmmakers behind Ssuubi will now have the opportunity to receive further recognition at the upcoming Ikon Awards Night on March 29, 2025, where they could be named the Ikon Film Fellows of the Year. The grand prize includes a grant to produce a feature film, offering them a chance to expand their storytelling on a larger scale.

The success of the 2024 Ikon Fellowship program highlights the growing potential of Uganda’s film industry and the importance of platforms like Kwiso TV in nurturing emerging talent. By providing young filmmakers with training, funding, and distribution opportunities, initiatives like this are paving the way for more authentic African stories to reach global audiences.

As the event came to a close, the excitement for Kwiso TV’s launch continued to build, with many looking forward to a new era of African storytelling. With support from industry leaders like Ramsey Nouah and the dedication of young filmmakers, the future of Ugandan cinema looks brighter than ever. The Ikon Fellowship has once again proven that when given the right tools and opportunities, young creatives can produce work that not only entertains but also educates and inspires change.