I’m launching this kickstarter to help discover and nurture the next generation of Ugandan filmmakers and Ugandan female directors in particular.
While I was home this past December, I took time to meet with local filmmakers at both the Uganda National Cultural Centre and at the Ugandan Communications Centre (UCC). The “Talk back” was organised by the Screen Actors Guild Uganda in partnership with UCC and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). I was struck by the array of talents I met at both sessions and the hunger the artists all had to create new works in film.
In an effort to further incentivize these and other Ugandan filmmakers to tell their own stories I announced the creation of the “This Is Uganda” – Short Film Competition.” I pledged $1000 of out my own pocket and I’m seeking your help to raise the prize money for the competition to $5000 for the Best Short Film and an additional $5000 for the Best Female Director, who will be eligible to win both prizes.
This is an exciting time for African film. There are new young talents cropping up across the continent. I’m fortunate to be starring in Tanzanian filmmaker Ekwa Msangi’s first feature “Farewell Amor,” which is having it’s world premiere at Sundance this year. Mati Diop’s feature “Atlantics” won the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes in 2019 and multiple award winning filmmaker Mira Nair’s Maisha Film Lab continues to forge new ground in training filmmakers from Uganda and it’s neighboring countries.
Inspired by these groundbreaking women and with the hope of discovering the next great filmmaking talents from Uganda I am humbly asking for your support with this initiative.
The minimum goal for this campaign is to reach $10,000. With Kickstarter fees of $1,120 it brings the total we need to raise $11,200. Any additional funds received will go directly toward creating runner up prizes for Best Short Film and runner up prizes for Best Female director.
Submitted films will be judged by:
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Artist and project creator.
Fibby Kioria, Program Director at Maisha Film Lab.
Loukman Ali, Ugandan filmmaker.
Ugandan filmmakers have been given the following criteria for joining the competition:
You have
3 months
to make
a 5 minute short film
inspired by the theme
This is Uganda
Open to all Ugandans
To create any story large or small
That takes place in Uganda
Feel free to submit
An Experimental short film
Or a Dramatic short film
Or a Comic short film
Or a Documentary short film
The only limits are your imagination and your film has to be 5 minutes or less.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions.
1. What is the submission deadline?
2. How do I submit my film?
3. What language can the film be in?
4. In terms of length of the short film, does this include the end credits? Or can we use the 5 minutes to tell the story and then have a bit more time for the credits.
5. Can I submit multiple entries?
6. Can I make a short film using my phone?
7. What happens once I submit my film?
8. Why is Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine putting together this competition?
9. Does the short film for the This Is Uganda Short Film Competition need to be filmed in Uganda?
10. When will the winners be announced and cash prizes be awarded?
11. If I have further questions or concerns who do I contact?
The potential risk and challenge for this project is whether it will help discover the next great filmmaking talents coming out of Uganda. But with your support, I believe the cash incentive raised by this campaign will bring forth a wide range of Ugandan competitors in the filmmaking community in Uganda. All backers of the This Is Uganda Short Film competition will be sent links to the award winning films.