KAMPALA, UGANDA — Nollywood star Ramsey Nouah has arrived in Uganda to support the Ikon Awards, a celebration of transformational creatives in the African film and television industry, and to foster collaboration between Ugandan and Nigerian filmmakers. He will join numerous African stars at the awards ceremony on Saturday.
The Ikon Awards, organized by Reach A Hand Uganda, not only recognize and reward achievements in film and television but also spearhead the Ikon Fellowship Program, an initiative dedicated to training emerging filmmakers.
“The roadmap to Ikon Awards 2026 starts in Nigeria, Lagos, and the decision was made courtesy of Ramsey Nouah to ensure that we can take the filmmakers from Uganda to Lagos so that we can understand how both industries can work together,” stated a Reach A Hand Uganda official.
Nouah attended the premiere of the 2024 Ikon Young Filmmakers Fellows short films and the unveiling of Kwiso TV at Reach A Hand’s Lungujja headquarters. The event showcased the work of the program’s third cohort, with the film “Ssuubi” winning the Viewers Choice award.
The Ikon Young Filmmakers Fellowship Program, a collaboration between Reach A Hand Uganda, Sauti Plus Media Hub, and the Ikon Awards, empowers youth through film to drive social change and improve livelihoods.
The 2024 fellows participated in masterclasses and received $500 grants to produce 5-10 minute short films addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) among young people, as well as other social issues.
Ramsey Nouah expressed his commitment to bridging the gap between the Ugandan and Nigerian film industries, emphasizing the global language of cinema. “I believe that film is a global language,” Nouah stated.
The premiered short films will be featured on Kwiso TV, a streaming platform designed to showcase Ugandan and East African content, providing opportunities for emerging talent.
Humphrey Nabimanya, Founder of Ikon Awards & Reach A Hand Uganda, encouraged filmmakers to submit their content to Kwiso TV. “We are buying content, if you have your film, documentary, TV Series, approach us to buy your films,” Nabimanya announced.
Filmmakers shared their experiences and emotional journeys during the production process, highlighting the challenges and triumphs they faced. Many credited the Ikon Fellowship masterclasses for their personal and professional growth.
The winning film, “Ssuubi,” is a documentary about Ssuubi Abdurahman, a young man with vitiligo who confronts bullying and stigma. The other films screened included “Zilabamuzaale” (Mental Health & Grief), “Not Alone” (Mental Health), “The Drought Girl” (Climate Change), and “Take My Hand.”
“I’m proud to say that the majority of these films have more representation of female issues because we had 60% representation of women in this year’s fellowship,” Nabimanya noted.
