KAMPALA
A Ugandan thriller developed by young filmmakers has secured a distribution agreement following its success at the 13th Uganda Film Festival, where it won Best Feature Film and three other awards.
“You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye” has signed a distribution agreement with Okada Media, which is negotiating deals to bring the Ugandan feature to international audiences, according to a statement from the International Trade Centre (ITC).
The distribution development follows the film’s strong showing at the Uganda Film Festival, held Aug. 21-28. The film entered the festival with 14 nominations, the most of any production this year, the ITC said.
It won Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Makeup and Best Costume.
The Best Feature Film award included 10 million Ugandan shillings ($2,700) in cash and international festival exposure valued at 20 million shillings ($5,400), while the Best Director award came with 8 million shillings ($2,160) and international festival exposure valued at 20 million shillings ($5,400).
The Best Makeup and Best Costume awards each came with 5 million Ugandan shillings ($1,350) in cash and festival exposure or equipment valued at 10 million shillings ($2,700), according to ITC.
The film was developed through Uganda Business Acceleration for Young Entrepreneurs in the Film Sector, also known as Opportunities Are Here, an ITC initiative funded by the European Union.
The project brought together seven emerging filmmakers through the Opportunities Are Here Creative Camp, where they worked with industry professionals to develop and produce the film.
Rather than following a conventional film production model, the initiative operated as a hands-on incubator. Participants received mentorship and training in story development, scriptwriting, production and post-production while gaining practical experience working together on set.
They also received training in the business side of filmmaking, including festival positioning and distribution strategies intended to help them build sustainable careers.
“Winning Best Feature Film proves that when you equip youth with specialized skills, mentorship and real market opportunities, we don’t just participate in the industry. We lead it,” co-producer Elly E. Debuni said on behalf of the trainees.
The seven trainees who wrote, co-directed and produced the film were Kahbuya Vanessa, also known as Kvan; Kavuma Vieri; Nodryn Evanci Kabuye; Elly E. Debuni; Illungole Emmanuel; Nsiima Chloe; and Manirahari Colline.
Drake Steven Makanga directed the film.
Industry professionals who served as mentors included Loukman Ali, creative director; Joel Tugaineyo, co-producer; and Alex Ireeta, director of photography.
