THE COMMUNICATIONS BLOG

Before moving to Mubende this week, the Regional Film Competition machine rocked Ntungamo where week-long activities culminated in a colourful gala last Friday as the western region’s version ended.

The Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Isaiah Kanyamahane was the chief guest at the event, which was also attended by Mr Samuel Mucunguzi, the LC-V chairman, among other Ntungamo district dignitaries. Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the organiser, was represented by Mr Fred Otunnu, the Director Corporate Affairs.

Held at the Ankore Resort & Spa, the event saw winning filmmakers walk away with ample prizes. The biggest winner of the night was Asiimwe’s Gift, a film produced by Angel Blessed Gumisiriza, which won Best Film and Best Community Film awards, on top of claiming awards for the Best Actor and Best Actress.

Other winners were:

Best Smartphone Film (The Snatcher by Ronald Kyomuhendo); Best Soundtrack (Hero at Skull Island by Manirahari Alexander Colline); Best Actor (Cedric Bukenya – Asiimwe’s Gift); Best Actress (Ginny Kyokusiima (Asiimwe’s Gift); and Best Student Award (Favoured Crystal – Quest to Dream City). James King Bagyenzi was recognised in a special way for his dedication to the cause of film development in the western region.

The Regional Film Competition is an initiative of the Uganda Communications Commission, designed to enhance the diversity of Uganda’s audiovisual content, empower upcountry filmmakers, expand audiences for local content, and cultivate business linkages at regional level. In its third edition this year, the competition comprises week-long training sessions and public film screening.

Following the awards gala night in Ntungamo on 7th March 2025, the Regional Film Competition has now moved to Mubende where another gala night, this time for the central region, will be held on 14th March. The event will later on go to Tororo and Lira to complete the nationwide annual activity.

Besides the gala, the Regional Film Competition comprises film training workshops, which are this year conducted by Proline Film Academy. The workshops are tailored to support and promote local filmmakers to build their capacity to compete at national and international level as they bid to contribute effectively to the socio-economic transformation of Uganda through the audio-visual arts sector.

The competition also has a component of community film screening, which in the case of Ntungamo involved the free screening of Unheard, a local film produced with UCC assistance, at the taxi park and at Standard College in Ntungamo town.