UFF 2025 Nominees Official list out now

The red carpet is being rolled out, the lights are up, and cameras are ready as the Uganda Film Festival (UFF) 2025 officially kicks off today 14 April 2025. This sets the stage for a grand celebration of storytelling and talent, with the much-anticipated gala night scheduled for June 6.

Organized annually by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), the UFF has grown to become the country’s flagship film event—an embodiment of the festival’s tagline: “Local Stories, Global Impact.” This year marks another milestone with an expansive program that includes film screenings, industry workshops, masterclasses, a vibrant film marketplace, and the unveiling of a major industry development during the gala.

A Legacy in the Making

Since its inaugural edition in 2013, the Uganda Film Festival has been instrumental in nurturing homegrown talent and providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work. From humble beginnings to now drawing regional and international attention, UFF has evolved into more than an awards night—it is a movement fostering education, investment, and creative collaboration in East Africa’s film sector.

This year, UFF 2025 features an impressive 27 award categories, recognizing excellence across genres such as Best Feature Film, Short Film, Animation, TV Series, Documentary, Indigenous Language Films, and Technical Achievement Awards, among others.

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Spotlight on 2025 Nominees

Leading the nominations are critically acclaimed films such as “Nkinzi” by Aidah Nalubowa and Rehema Nanfuka, “Two Paths” by Buwembo Yusuf Kabuye, and “Fatal” by Angel Toni Acer. These titles dominate key categories including Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and People’s Choice Award.

The festival also embraces regional inclusivity with dedicated categories such as Best East African Film—featuring entries like Kenya’s “I Know My Rights” and Tanzania’s “Malaika”—and Best International Feature Film, showcasing works from South Africa, France, Iran, Zambia, and China.

Emerging voices are not left behind. The Best Student Film category features rising talents such as Emma Okello (Reverie) and Lyan Joseph Muwonge (Thee Thrill Seekers), signaling a promising future for Ugandan cinema.

UFF vs. ICON: Celebrating Ugandan Film on Parallel Stages

While the UCC-led UFF remains the gold standard for national recognition, another awards initiative—the ICON Awards, founded by Humphrey Nabimanya and Abemanya—is also making waves. The ICON Awards have carved a niche by emphasizing youth culture, social impact, and pop culture narratives.

Unlike UFF’s industry-centric structure with its international jury and technical accolades, the ICON Awards lean into public voting and mainstream appeal. Both platforms, however, are vital to Uganda’s cinematic ecosystem—providing complementary recognition that encourages broader participation and appreciation of Ugandan creative output.

What’s Next on the Festival Calendar?

With the nominee list unveiled, the journey to the gala night begins. Audiences can look forward to immersive film screenings, capacity-building masterclasses, and a dynamic film industry marketplace that brings stakeholders together to network, invest, and explore Uganda’s evolving film economy.

On June 6, all roads lead to the glamorous UFF 2025 Gala Night, where winners will be announced, and a landmark industry development is expected to be revealed—one that could reshape the future of filmmaking in Uganda.

A Toast to the Storytellers

“This year’s festival is not just about competition. It’s a celebration of the passion, resilience, and imagination of our filmmakers,” said Jules Mweheire, Director of Industry Affairs and Content Development at UCC. “To all who submitted entries, thank you. Your stories enrich Uganda’s cultural creativity.”

As the spotlight shines on #UFF2025, Uganda’s filmmakers stand poised to make an indelible mark—locally and globally—through the power of stories that are unapologetically authentic, deeply rooted, and universally resonant.

Complete list of UFF 2025 nominees:

Best Regional Film

1. Asimmwe’s Gift – Angel Blessed Cumisiriza
2. Jimbi – Tusabe Ivan
3. Within Us – Umar Balunywa
4. One Last Puff – Odongo Brothers

Best Animation Film

1. Nkizzi’s First Day – Siraje Kiberu
2. Made in China: Kato’s Wire Car – Musii Alex
3. Lia and Origia – Dominic Dipio
4. Kintu – Denis Junior Dhikusooka
5. Invisible Weight – Denis Junior Dhikusooka

Best Student Film

1. Reverie – Emma Okello
2. Down Cursed – Keddy Atim & Lawrence Opiyo
3. Dinner for Three – Brian Adrine Kabocozza
4. Charcoal and Courage – Enock Nyakana
5. Thee Thrill Seekers – Lyan Joseph Muwonge

Best International Feature Film

1. When the Gospel Speaks – South Africa
2. Under My Skin – France
3. The Flask – Zambia
4. Towering Wings – China
5. The Banana Garden – Iran

Best East Africa Film

1. I Know My Rights – Kenya
2. Our Land Freedom – Kenya
3. Wamaitha – Kenya
4. Joyce’s Dream – Tanzania
5. Malaika – Tanzania

Best TV Series

1. Crossroads – Avent T Steve
2. Juniors Drama Club – Allan Manzi
3. What If – Mulindwa Richard
4. Damalie – Doreen Mirembe, Nicole Nsubuga
5. Beloved – Nathan Macoola

Best Short Film

1. Oje Ondabire – Daisy Phionah Owomugisha
2. Boundary Mwisho – Hakim Zziwa
3. Broken – Clive Nshime
4. Olwatukuka – Natukunda Blace & Irene Sserembe Enyelu
5. A Thousand Ways to Face – Victor Mugabe

Best Documentary Film

1. The Royal Summit
2. Echoes from the Past: Keeping History Alive
3. The Tongue Turns to the Aching Tooth
4. Masaka to Toronto
5. A History of Film in Uganda

Best Feature Film

1. Nkinzi – Aidah Nalubowa & Rehema Nanfuka
2. Two Paths – Buwembo Yusuf Kabuye & Obumu Production House
3. At the Edge – Ssesimba Taddeo
4. Fatal – Angel Toni Acer
5. Kimote – Hassan Mageye

Best Costume Design

1. Two Paths – Ssentenza Bashir
2. Nkinzi – Kebirungi Rose Lily & Sharon Nambiro
3. Fatal – Debie Kagisha & Sharon Kanalo
4. The Legends – Nabukenya Hazarah
5. Kimote – Nabakibi Joan Joyo & Elgon Label

Best Cinematography

1. The Legends – Lutaaya Ashraf & Ainemababazi Brian
2. Kimote – Eric Wamasebu
3. At the Edge – Nsubuga Francis Kaasa, Ssesimba Taddeo, Seruwo Bryan
4. Nkinzi – Anthony K. Chukumwa
5. Speak – Ssebata Paul

Best Production Design

1. The Legends – Jerry Ssesanga
2. Kimote – Joseph Mumpi Sserubiri
3. Two Paths – Ssentenza Bashir
4. Nkinzi – Mutebi Simon
5. Fatal – Bitarinsa Mark

Best Sound Design

1. Fatal – Okoth Peter (Don Skillz)
2. Kimote – Kyobe Ssebow
3. Two Paths – Kaweesi David & Kyobe Ssebow
4. Nkinzi – Joses Arins, Isma Ssemujju
5. Battle for Earth – Norman Dhikusooka

Best Make-up

1. Fatal – Gloria Akello
2. Speak – Esther Nakaziba
3. Kimote – Kebirungi Rose Lily
4. Two Paths – Ssentenza Bashir
5. Nkinzi – Kebirungi Rose Lily & Sharon Nambiro

Best Post-Production/Editing

1. Two Paths – Kyobe Isma Ssebow
2. Nkinzi – Zaed Matovu & Jemba Jonathan
3. Speak – Ssebata Paul
4. Fatal – Okoth Peter (Don Skillz)
5. Kimote – Kyobe Ssebow

Best Director

1. Ssentenza Bashir – Two Paths
2. Rehema Nanfuka – Nkinzi
3. Paul Ssebata – Speak
4. Fredrick E. Achura – Fatal
5. Hassan Mageye – Kimote

Best Film in Indigenous Language

1. Nkinzi – Rehema Nanfuka
2. Unseen Truth – Obumu Production House
3. Kimote – Hassan Mageye
4. Lama – Ediegu Joseph Innocent

Best Screenplay

1. Kimote – Hassan Mageye
2. Execute – Doreen Rwatatoro
3. At the Edge – Ssendagire Emmanuel
4. Ruthless – Zziinga Patrick Nsibme
5. Nkinzi – Esther Nampewo & Rehema Nanfuka

Best Actress in a Feature Film

1. Sophia Nagwanyi – Intrigant
2. Vivian Kintu Lindah – Ruthless
3. Mwine Marion – At the Edge
4. Kisakye Passion – Nkinzi
5. Nakafeero Suzan Shamirah – Lama

Best Actor in a Feature Film

1. Prince Joe Nakibinge – Intrigant
2. Patrick Zzinga Nsimbe – Ruthless
3. Mendez Kintu – Kimote
4. Kizito Simeon Matovu – Lama
5. Lumumba Patrick Lubowa – Nkinzi

Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film

1. Debbie Kagisha – Fatal
2. Lorence Ntongo – At the Edge
3. Mayra Ariana Lubowa – Nkinzi
4. Mutesasira Victory – Two Paths
5. Imaac Shantel – Born in Shadows

Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film

1. Magezi Ronald – At the Edge
2. Masaba Roger Magona – Kimote
3. Angel Toni Acer – Fatal
4. Musenze Moses – Speak
5. Ronald Kyomuhendo – Mysteries of Love

Best Actress in a TV Series

1. Agaba Joan – What If
2. Mireme Doreen – Damalie
3. Hellen Lukoma – Beloved
4. Gashumba Grace Natasha – Hotel Mara
5. Edith Mya Baganda – JDC

Best Actor in a TV Series

1. Okoyo Prynce Joel – What If
2. Moses Kiboneka – JDC
3. Atuhaire Emmanuel – Crossroads
4. Uncle Joe – The Uncles
5. Derrick Baka – Beloved

Best Original Soundtrack

1. Fatal – KPM Entertainment Studio
2. Speak – Zenith Studios & Hassan Mageye
3. Kimote – Wingz Films UGT & Nsubuga Francis Kaasa
4. At the Edge – Marvin Rain Sentongo
5. The Legends – Marvin Rain Sentongo

People’s Choice Award

1. Nkinzi – Aidah Nalubowa & Rehema Nanfuka
2. Two Paths – Buwembo Yusuf Kabuye & Obumu Production House
3. At the Edge – Ssesimba Taddeo
4. Fatal – Angel Toni Acer
5. Kimote – Hassan Mageye