2024 Uganda Film Festival nominees unveiled

Also known as UFF, the event is organised by the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC).

This year's event will be held on June 7.

The 2024 Uganda Film Festival nominees came from about 50 films spread across 25 categories.

A total of 307 films were submitted, a record number. Notably, there's a shift in language use, with many films submitted in Ugandan indigenous languages instead of English, a trend not as prominent in previous years.

Three films lead the pack in nominations. Eleanor Nabwiso's "Christmas Together," Nisha Kalema's "Makula" (dealing with human trafficking), and Ibrahim Hammis Mayanja's "Omukululo" (exploring the consequences of hidden truths) are strong contenders in acting, screenplay, and technical categories.

"Makula" tops the list with 12 nominations, including Best Actress for Kalema. Other notable contenders include "Soccer Heart" by Kevin Jones Nabukenya and "Lions of Buganda" by Jerry

Below are the 2024 Uganda Film Festival nominees:

BEST FEATURE FILM

• Soccer Heart by Kevin Johns Nabukenya
• Christmas Together by Eleanor R. Nabwiso
• Makula by Nisha Kalema
• The Lions of Buganda by Jerry Sesanga
• Omukuluto by Ibra Hamis Mayanja

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

• Sabotage – Mickydad Kaaku
• Christmas Together –
• Love Tragic – Kasesene Angella
• Makula – Nantege Maureen Victoria
• The Lions Of Buganda – Ali Musoke, Dollar Fashionista, Naggayi Patricia

BEST SOUND DESIGN

• Omukululo – Mirembe Zurifath, Kyobe Sebbowa
• The Lions Of Buganda – Marvin Rain Ssentongo
• Christmas Together – Isiko Abubaker
• Makula – Jose Arins
• Soccer Heart – Kyobe Sebbowa

Also read: 4 Ugandans acquire film production skills in Kenya

BEST ACTOR IN FEATURE FILM

• Omukululo – Prince Joe Nakibinge
• Apologise – Isaac Mendez Kintu
• Half Life – Edris Lubega
• Sabotage – Jjemba Musoke Austin
• Present Past – Ssekimpi John Mary

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

• Maid of Honour – Fauziah Nakiboneka
• High Life – Mommo Nelson
• Sabotage – Stella Nantumbwe
• Christmas Together – Nakayo Veronica
• Omukululo – Kansiime Sophie

BEST DOCUMENTARY

• Ghetto Mama – Onyutta Brenda
• 1911 – Shemei Agabo
• Summitting Mount Elgon 3d – Wogube Denard
• Africa’s Race To 2040 Documentary – Vaccine Manufacturing – Serwanja Solomon
• Tuko Pamoja: Omukama John Cwa II Kabaleega – Cindy Evelyn Magara

BEST REGIONAL FILM

• Taama – Nsubuga Arthur
• 117 Shoes. Story of Generosity – Komakech Daniel
• Cross Border Peace – Komakech Daniel
• The Rock That Turned Into Butter – Frank Kabushega
• Jobless Corner Series – Mwebaza Martin

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

• Offshoot – Nigeria
• Oazi – Pakistan
• The Crab Basket – Chile
• Footprints On Water – United Kingdom
• Return of the Jungle – India

BEST SHORT FILM

• Ziwa by Samuel Tebandeke
• The Last Shoemaker by Ali Musoke
• 9 Lives by Hadijah Nakanjako
• Taama by Nsubuga Arthur
• Getting To Know You by Patrick Lorimo

BEST EAST AFRICAN FILM

• Visasi – Kenya Mvera – Kenya
• The Midnight Bride – Tanzania
• I’m Coming Home Abiro Dala – Kenya
• The Fall of King Odongo – Kenya

BEST VIEWER’S CHOICE

• Soccer Heart – Kevin Johns Nabukenya
• Christmas Together – Eleanor R. Nabwiso
• Makula – Nisha Kalema
• The Lions of Buganda – Jerry Sesanga
• Omukuluto – Ibra Hamis Mayanja

BEST ANIMATION

• The Guardian by Denis Junior Dhikusoka
• Echoes Of Unseen by Wiber Akatuhurira
• Kataleya by Denis Junior Dhikusoka
• Gwanga Da Planter by Wiber Akatuhurira
• Stuck In The Nest by Kiberu Siraje

BEST ACTOR IN A TV SERIES

• Kenny Rukundo – Damalie
• Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga – Sanyu
• Symon Base Kalema – Prestige
• Allan Kutos Katatongole – Sanyu
• Raymond Rushabiro – Prestige

BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES

• Ann Marrie Nattabi – Beloved
• Cleopatra Koheirwe – Prestige
• Namugengi Catherine – Sanyu
• Doreen Mirembe – Damalie
• Hajarah Nabukenya – Khosa

BEST TV SERIES

• Juniors Drama Club (10C) – Allan Manzi
• Sanyu – Mathew Nabwiso
• Prestige – Nathan Magoola
• Damalie – Doreen Mirembe
• Khosa – Ivan Makai Mayatsa

BEST INDIGENOUS FILM

• Makula – Nisha Kalema
• Maria – Nana Kagga & Meme Kagga
• Omukuluto – Ibra Hamis Mayanja
• The Lions of Buganda – Jerry Sesanga
• Half Life – Richard Mulindwa

BEST STUDENT FILM

• Malediction – Ssenyondo Marvin
• Scold’s Bridle – Ssemwogerere (Nersky)Nurudeen
• The Chicken Thief – Enock Timothy Jjemba
• Not my daughter – Lubeera Saphina
• Hypochondriac – Emma Okello

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN FEATURE FILM

• Twine Is Missing – Marijan Hussein
• Sekukkulu – Bwanika Baale Felix
• Fragile – Wasajja Hanigton
• Maria – Muhmood Zamunyo
• Omukululo – Prince Joe Nakibinge

BEST ACTRESS IN FEATURE FILM

• Omukululo – Joan Nabkilbi
• Maria – Pelly Peninah Nampanga
• Law Of Consequences – Monica Jacobs Birwinyo
• Retaliation – Viola Kebirungi
• Makulu – Nisha Kalema

BEST SCREENPLAY

• My Love From Another Land – Kevin Johns Nabukenya, Anu and Pablo
• Half Life – Mulindwa Richard, Agaba Joan
• Christmas Together – Mary Nyanzi, Eleanor Nabwiso
• Soccer Heart – Kevin Johns Nabukenya
• Makula – Nisha Kalema

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

• Makula – Imran Musabbeh
• Christmas Together – Imran Musabbeh
• The Lions Of Buganda – Tumusiime Robert Quintes
• Sabotage – Ritah Babirye
• Omukuluto – Mutesi Mariam

Also read: Matatu Film Stage, a short movie celebration

BEST DIRECTOR

• Omukululo – Charles Luzinda
• Makula – Nisha Kalema and Dan Mugisha
• Christmas Together – Eleanor Nabwiso
• Half-Life – Richard Mulindwa
• Maria – Nana Kagga

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

• The Lions of Buganda – Abdul kakande, Faysal Mukalazi
• Makula – Alex Ireeta
• Christmas Together – Izaek Ekuka
• Omukululo – JB. Edit Ug
• Half Life – Sserwadaa Shafic, Roy Chwintado

BEST POST-PRODUCTION/EDIT

• Love Tragic – Mutebi Azihari
• Christmas Together – Paul Kimera and Kikaawa Wilson
• Soccer Heart – Kizito Sudaisy Sebbowa
• The Lions of Buganda – Marvin Rain Ssentongo, Muhwezi Herbert
• Makula – Henry Matovu & Kizito Sudaisy Sebbow

Also read: Jesus animated movie launched in Uganda

BEST MAKE-UP

• The Lions Of Buganda – Nabakiibi Joana Jojo, Latifah Nabatanzi Rutaro Abell
• Makula – Nakakande Cynthia
• Half Life – Kabanywari Maggie
• Christmas Together – Eleanor Nabwiso, Bangi Solome
• Love Tragic – Mutebi Azihari

Winners who will scoop cash awards on June 7 will be picked from the 2024 Uganda Film Festival nominees