Uganda Film Festival is here

When the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) debuted the festival last year, pundits were skeptical about the intensions.

Many thought that the commission should have instead funded the already existing festivals or channel the money towards strengthening copyright and enforcing the 70% local content on TV and Cinemas, others especially the critics doubted UFF will leave to see its first birthday.

However, all those that doubted them should be asking for forgiveness since, UCC’s premiere festival is coming back for their second edition.

The second Uganda Film Festival (UFF) will be taking place in August 25th-29th and according to the organizers, this edition will be bigger and better.

UCC will be holding an official launch of the festival tomorrow at their offices in Bugolobi where over 200 guests are expected to attend, including the legendary Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor.

UFF debuted last year as part of the ongoing government efforts to develop the local film industry.

Last year’s debut edition boasted a whooping 189 films, a film market, workshops and an awards ceremony. But there’s likely to be a more manageable number of films this year, including at least ten premieres.

This time round, the festival is set to get more Cinemas like Cinemax and the newly opened New Century at Acacia on the list of showcasing theatres.

As the communications sector regulator, which is also charged with overseeing film exhibition and distribution in Uganda, UCC has constantly come under fire for not ensuring that local films and dramas are prioritized by local TVs or cinemas.

With the festival making a comeback this year, many are enthusiastic that local cinema is headed for better things.

This year’s festival will be running under the theme; Empowering Ugandan Through Film.