The road map to the iKON Awards 2026 has officially kicked off with iKON Activate an initiative designed to foster collaborations with African film stars.
The first edition of iKON Activate is scheduled for September 26–28, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, as part of the build-up to the iKON Awards 2026. The event will feature several Nollywood actors, further cementing the awards’ continental reach.
The series of activities, including a summit, will provide a unique opportunity for cross-cutting knowledge exchange between Ugandan and Nigerian film and television stakeholders, driving collaborations that strengthen the creative economies of both nations.
The inaugural activation marks the beginning of a new chapter for the awards, bringing together some of the continent’s most creative minds in film, television, and digital storytelling. It also positions the iKON Awards to grow in both scope and influence, evolving from a Ugandan event into a regional platform that engages prominent African filmmakers.
Collaboration remains the central theme, with plans for Ugandan filmmakers to work alongside their Nigerian and South African counterparts. For instance, a Ugandan actor will feature in a Nollywood film as a cultural ambassador, symbolizing the spirit of exchange.
Key guest speakers expected include Nollywood stars Ramsey Nouah, Dr Shaibu Husseini, Funke Akindele, as well as Amb Nelson Ocheger and Humphrey Nabimanya, the founder of the iKON Awards. The event will also feature high-profile engagements, networking opportunities, and knowledge sharing with regional and international filmmakers, producers, and industry leaders.
Discussions will focus on the evolving film industry, emerging opportunities, and the role of African storytelling in shaping the global creative economy, reaffirming iKON Awards’ commitment to supporting local film.
Commenting on the initiative, iKON Awards Producer Usama Mukwaya emphasized that the continental expansion provides a platform to spark meaningful dialogue and innovation in Africa’s film industry.
“By engaging regional leaders and opening up to the global stage, we are setting the foundation for an even more impactful iKON Awards,” he said.
A significant step toward this vision has already been taken with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the iKON Awards and renowned Ugandan actor Michael Wawuyo Sr., who will feature in a Nigerian drama film titled Dambe. The agreement, signed on September 16, 2025, forms part of the broader iKON Exchange Programme.
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