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What is going to happen at iKON Awards 2026?
The iKon Awards are returning bigger and more global in 2026, introducing new international award categories that celebrate the best of African film and television. Organized by Reach A Hand Uganda and SautiPlus Media Hub, the 4th edition of the iKon Awards promises to honor outstanding filmmakers, actors, and creators while connecting the Ugandan film industry to broader continental opportunities.
When will iKON Awards 2026 happen?
Slated for March 28, 2026, at the Kampala Serena Hotel, the prestigious event will once again highlight innovation, talent, and storytelling across the continent.
The 2026 edition introduces four new regional awards — Best East & Central African Film, Best West African Film, Best North African Film, and Best Southern African Film — marking a major expansion beyond Uganda. These categories are part of a new international recognition effort, culminating in the African iKon Award, which will celebrate exceptional cinematic contributions that inspire the continent.
“The iKon Awards were founded to recognize, connect, and educate talent in the film and television industry,” said Humphrey Nabimanya, the Founder of the iKon Awards. “This new chapter opens the platform to the rest of Africa, showcasing the unity and creativity of our continent’s storytellers.”
Celebrating African Storytelling
Since its inception, the iKon Awards have served as Uganda’s biggest stage for recognizing filmmakers, producers, and actors whose work elevates African cinema. The initiative goes beyond awarding excellence — it seeks to connect creatives to opportunities for resource mobilization, organizational growth, and networking, while also educating them through mentorships, summits, and professional training sessions.
Submissions for the 2026 edition officially opened on October 1, 2025, and will close on November 15, 2025. Eligible films must have been released after December 1, 2023, with English-language dialogue or subtitles. Notifications will be made by January 30, 2026.
Full List of iKON Awards 2026 Film Categories
The iKon Awards 2026 will feature 30 categories honoring the best in filmmaking and television. These include:
Best Film | iKON Awards 2026
This category will award a fiction or nonfiction Ugandan motion picture with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole film to fill the program. The film should have a running time of 60 minutes or more.
Best Director
Given to an individual who oversees the film’s artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay or script while guiding the technical crew and actors to fulfill that vision. This category is currently restricted to Ugandans only.
Best Lead Actor
Awarded to the outstanding male lead actor in the feature film category.
Best Lead Actress
Awarded to the outstanding female lead actress in the feature film category.
Best Supporting Actor | iKON Awards 2026
Given to an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role below that of the leading actor.
Best Supporting Actress
Awarded to an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role below that of the leading actress.
Best Emerging Film
This category celebrates the most outstanding upcoming film.
Best Director of Photography
This category recognizes excellence in cinematography and camera work, rewarding creativity, image quality, and the coordination of camera operators.
Best Screenplay
Recognizes the best screenplay, either original or adapted. The award may be shared with a co-writer based on the submission.
Best Sound
Honors the manipulation and design of audio — including sound effects, dialogue, and music — to create a desired emotional effect or atmosphere in the film.
Best Editor | iKON Awards 2026
Recognizes achievement in storytelling through editing, highlighting how cuts, transitions, and pacing contribute to the overall look, style, and feel of the film.
Best Costume Designer
Given to a costume designer whose work helps communicate a character’s personality and transform actors into believable on-screen personas through creative wardrobe design.
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Recognizes outstanding achievement in makeup and hairstyling, celebrating artists who create transformative looks that enhance storytelling.
Best Production Designer
Honors excellence in art direction and visual composition, focusing on set design, props, and overall production aesthetics.
Best Visual Effects | iKON Awards 2026
Awarded to a film whose imagery is created or manipulated outside the context of live-action filming, recognizing creativity and technical mastery in visual effects.
Best Short Film
Rewards fiction or nonfiction motion pictures not long enough to be considered feature-length, running 40 minutes or less.
Best Documentary
Recognizes and awards inspirational, informative, discovery-oriented, or investigative documentaries produced and broadcast on television.
Best Animation Film
Given to a film where characters are created using frame-by-frame animation, with animated sequences making up at least 75% of the running time.
Best Student Film
Awarded to the best film made by a student, showcasing emerging talent and creativity in academic or training environments.
Best Actor in a TV Series | iKON Awards 2026
Given to the outstanding male actor in the television drama category.
Best Actress in a TV Series
Given to the outstanding female actor in the television drama category.
Best TV Series
Recognizes the best drama television series, focusing on performance, storytelling, and production quality.
Best East & Central African Film
Awards a fiction or nonfiction motion picture with a running time long enough to be the principal or sole film in a program. The film must be from the East or Central African region and run for 60 minutes or more.
Best West African Film
Awards a fiction or nonfiction motion picture of 60 minutes or more from the West African region, celebrating regional talent and storytelling.
Best Southern African Film
Recognizes an outstanding fiction or nonfiction motion picture of 60 minutes or more from the Southern African region.
Best North African Film
Awards a fiction or nonfiction motion picture with a minimum running time of 60 minutes, produced in the North African region.
iKon Rising Star
Presented to a promising emerging talent making notable strides in film, television, or production — symbolizing the next generation of industry icons.
iKon Fellow of the Year
Recognizes an individual from the iKon Fellowship Program who has demonstrated exceptional creativity, leadership, and impact in their craft.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Honors a veteran filmmaker, actor, or contributor whose career achievements and contributions have had a lasting impact on the film and television industry.
The African iKon Award
The ultimate continental recognition presented to an individual or film that has significantly influenced and inspired African cinema on a global scale.
The Best Film category remains one of the most prestigious honors, recognizing a Ugandan motion picture over 60 minutes long. Meanwhile, the Best Short Film and Best Student Film categories continue to empower emerging filmmakers.
Encouraging Ugandan Participation
To maintain its roots, the iKon Awards still require that films submitted for most categories be made by Ugandan filmmakers or involve Ugandan production teams. Every entry must include a signed submission form naming the intended recipients and production credits to ensure transparency in recognition.
“We want Ugandan filmmakers to shine while also giving them an opportunity to compete and collaborate on an African stage,” explained Usama Mukwaya, the Awards Producer.
Venue and Contact Information
The glamorous awards gala will take place at the Kampala Serena Hotel on Kintu Road, welcoming filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals from across Africa.
For inquiries and submissions, participants can contact the organizers at +256 781 689 667, or follow iKon Awards on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram for updates.
Event Details
- Opening Date: October 1, 2025
- Submission Deadline: November 15, 2025
- Notification Date: January 30, 2026
- Event Date: March 28, 2026
- Venue: Kampala Serena Hotel, Uganda
- Organized by: Reach A Hand Uganda & SautiPlus Media Hub
- Founder: Humphrey Nabimanya
- Producer: Usama Mukwaya
- Partnerships & Events Manager: Herman Namanya
