This year, iKon Awards present a shift in the filmmaking field with the industry, creating more room for diversity in form of leadership at the helm of the stories told. For instance, all the leading films were produced and directed by women
By Andrew Kaggwa
It is still hard to understand why Ugandan filmmakers embark on the grueling process of making films.
But one thing you cannot be wrong about is the fact that our filmmakers love awards and dressing up. Sometimes they are more involved in the awards season activities than they ever marketed their films.
Thus, the announcement of nominees for the third edition of iKon Awards is a breath of fresh air into the new year.
On Friday, in an event hosted at the Reach a Hand headquarters in Lungujja and broadcast on their official YouTube channel, the nominees for this year’s awards edition were announced.
Makula, Maria and Soccer Heart dominate most of the nominations appearing in all performance categories of Best Actor, Actress as well as the support cast.
Nisha Kalema will still face off with Pelly Peninah Nampanga who walked away with the Best Actress award for the same film at the Uganda Film Festival. The two are joined by Hasifah Nakitende, Joana Jojo Nabakiibi and Rehema Nakitto for films Present Past, Omukululo and Not a Wife, respectively.
The three films also have actors nominated for Best Actor, Isa Massade Yusuf is nominated for his role in Soccer Heart, the other men from these films find themselves in the Best Supporting Actor category.
Raymond Rushabiro, Housen Moushema, and Muhmood Zamunyo from Soccer Heart, Makula and Maria respectively are nominated for their supporting roles.
But the films have nominations in other categories such as sound, cinematography, editing, costume and screenwriting.
The other thing all these films have in common, is the fact that they were all directed, produced and written by women; Nana Kagga, Nisha Kalema and Kevin Jones Nabukenya.
Other nominated films include habitual nominee RichardMulindwa’s Half Life, Eleanor Nabwiso’s Karamoja, Christmas Together, Jerry Ssesanga’s The Lions of Buganda, and Ssekukulu.
The TV categories were dominated by Pearl Magic TV shows for the third time in a row, Damalie, Beloved, which ended in September, Crossroads and JDC are all nominees, while their actors Moses Kiboneka alias Uncle Mo, Iradukunda Rebecca Hope, Dennis Kanani, Emmanuel Atuhaire, Derrick Baka, Hellen Lukoma and Doreen Mirembe are all nominees for their TV roles.
This year, iKon Awards presents a shift in the filmmaking field with the industry creating more room for diversity in form of leadership at the helm of the stories told.
One of the key highlights of this year’s awards is the expansion of the nominee slots in each of the 22 competitive categories from four to five, offering greater recognition for outstanding talent.
“What makes this year’ s Ikon Awards special is that we have expanded the number of nominees, creating more room to celebrate exceptional work. This time, we are stronger than ever in championing inclusivity and celebrating diverse voices in the film and television industry,” said Usama Mukwaya, the Ikon Awards producer.
The Ikon Awards, now in their third edition, are scheduled to happen on March 29 at Kampala Serena Hotel.
