iKON Awards: Film and Television | |
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Current: 3rd iKON Awards | |
Awarded for | Outstanding achievements film and television |
Country | Uganda |
Presented by | SAUTIplus Media Hub |
First awarded | 2023 |
Website | www |
The iKon Awards - Film & Television is an awarding programme [1] that recognizes and rewards implementers and personalities in the Film and Television and Mainstream Media in Uganda and ultimately, Africa. [2] Founded by Humphrey Nabimanya, the new annual initiative is now presented by SAUTIplus Media Hub. [3] [4]
The awards seek to award (recognize and reward formidable implementers including filmmakers and actors), connect (link participants and their interventions/films/show/series to opportunities for resource mobilisation, networking, core organisational development, and publicity) and educate (through one-on-one sessions, webinars, online courses and summits from professionals in the film industry).
The 1st Ikon Awards ceremony, presented by the Sauti Plus Hub, honored Ugandan films released from 2021 and 2022, and took place at the Kampala Serena Hotel in Kampala, Uganda, on March 25, 2023.
Film producer Usama Mukwaya was named as producer of the first edition which marks his first "live" television production credit for a major show.
The nominations were announced by actors Laura Kahunde and Sam Bagenda on January 28, 2023, live on NBS TV. [5] [6] [7] [8] / [9] [10] [11] [12]
The following are the categories for the iKon awards unveiled during its launch at the Kampala Serena Hotel [13]
Category [14] | |
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1 | Best Film |
2 | Best Director |
3 | Best Actor |
4 | Best Actress |
5 | Best Supporting Actor |
6 | Best Supporting Actress |
7 | Best Director of Photography |
8 | Best Screenplay |
9 | Best Sound |
10 | Best Editor |
11 | Best Costume Designer |
12 | Best Makeup and Hairstyling |
13 | Best Production Designer |
14 | Best Visual Effects |
15 | Best Short film |
16 | Best Documentary |
17 | Best Animation film |
18 | Best TV Series |
19 | Best Actor in a TV Series |
20 | Best Actress in a TV Series |
21 | Best Student film |
22 | Best Emerging film |
23 | iKON Rising Star |
24 | iKON Fellow of The Year |
25 | Legacy Award |
The opportunity is designed to target young, passionate, enthusiastic and emerging filmmakers interested in filmmaking and the film industry. Ten young filmmakers will be supported with a $500 grant each to produce a 5- to 10-minute short films and also provided with mentorship from experienced filmmakers. [15] [16] [17]
The emerging film industry in Uganda is known as Ugawood or sometimes Kinauganda by the locals. The 2005 production Feelings Struggle directed by Ashraf Ssemwogerere is credited with being the first Ugawood film. Many have asserted that this steadily growing film industry is derived from Hollywood, in the same manner as Nollywood and Bollywood. In a story that ran in a local newspaper in Uganda about the naming of the industry, filmmakers Kuddzu Isaac, Matt Bish and Usama Mukwaya were quoted as saying that Ugawood would be the most appropriate name for the industry.
Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known by his stage name Bobi Wine, is a Ugandan activist, politician, singer, lawyer and actor. He is a former Member of Parliament for Kyadondo County East constituency in Wakiso District, in Uganda's Central Region. He also leads the National Unity Platform political party. In June 2019, he announced his candidacy for the 2021 Ugandan presidential election. He participated in the 2021 election, in which, according to official results, he lost to incumbent Yoweri Museveni, although he claims this result was fraudulent.
Usama "Osam" Nyanzi Mukwaya is a Ugandan screenwriter, film director, producer, actor and former television host. He has received several accolades, including nominations for an Ama Award and three Amvca Awards.
Edrisah Kenzo Musuuza, professionally known as Eddy Kenzo, is a Ugandan singer, music executive, the president and founder of Uganda National Musicians Federation and a member of Big Talent Entertainment. He made his breakthrough after the release of his single Stamina. He received international attention after the release of his single, "Sitya Loss" in 2014 and an accompanying viral video that featured the Ghetto Kids. In total, he has released 4 albums, including Roots in 2018 and most recently Made in Africa in 2021. Kenzo has also won a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award in 2018, a BET Award in 2015, and multiple All Africa Music Awards.
Alex Julius Kwesigabo, better known by his stage name Flex D'Paper, is a Ugandan rapper and songwriter born and raised in Kampala. Starting off his music career, Flex D'Paper was part of the high school rap group, The Rapaholix, which he started with friends, Dasper Cosine and later joined by Apass as an affiliate with whom the trio put out a mix tape, The Eviction Notice that included chart topping singles like "Burning", "Party Life" and "Follow Me" which topped countdowns in Uganda such as NTV and Sanyu FM. Flex D'Paper was part of the 2014 UG Cypher including the finest Ugandan rappers: Navio, Keko, Big Tril, Don MC, AirporTaxi rappers St. Nelly Sade, GNL Zamba, DJ Global, JB, The Mith, Ruyonga, and Atlas.
Kiira Motors Corporation or KMC is a State Enterprise in Uganda established to champion the Development of the Domestic Automotive Value Chain for job and wealth creation and commercialize the Kiira Electric Vehicle Project. The Equity Partners are the Government of the Republic of Uganda represented by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Office of the President holding 96% of the initial stock and Makerere University holding 4%.
Love Faces is a Ugandan drama thriller film written and directed by Usama Mukwaya. It is Mukwaya's feature film directorial debut, and stars Laura Kahunde, Moses Kiboneka Jr., Patriq Nkakalukanyi and Salome Elizabeth in leading roles. The film had a special screening on 31 August 2017 at the Uganda Film Festival 2017. It had its official release on 4 January 2018.
Sheebah Karungi, professionally known as Queen Karma and Sheebah, is a Ugandan musician, dancer, actress and feminist activist. She debuted her acting career in Queen of Katwe as Shakira. After quitting Obsessions, a dance group she joined in 2006, she started making music and later rose to recognition upon the release of her hit single "Ice Cream". In 2014, she released her debut project Ice Cream, a five-track EP which did well commercially and led her to win back-to-back HiPipo Music Awards Best Female Artist in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. She also won the Artist of the Year award twice, in 2017, 2018, and 2019 at the HiPipo Music Awards. In 2024, she was appointed vice president of the Uganda National Musician Federation assisting Eddy Kenzo who is the president of the federation.
Humphrey Nabimanya is a Ugandan social entrepreneur, philanthropist, peer educator, founder and team leader at Reach A Hand, Uganda. He founded the Ikon Awards.
Cleopatra Koheirwe is a Ugandan actress, writer, singer, and media personality. She has garnered numerous roles on different film and television projects locally and internationally.
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Kyaddala is a Ugandan drama television series by Reach a Hand Uganda. The first season was produced by Emmanuel Ikubese Films and Reach a Hand Uganda. Set in a present day high school life, Kyaddala a Luganda word for "It's Real", focuses on real life social issues that affect young people across Africa and their attempts to overcome those issues. The series features actors and actresses from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Nigeria. Kyaddala premiered on 27 September 2019 at Kingdom Kampala.
The Uganda Film Festival Awards, also known as UFF Awards, are presented annually to recognize excellence in the film Industry in Uganda. The awards started in 2013 under a Uganda Communications Commission initiative to recognize and develop the Ugandan film industry. Nominated films are screened at a five-day festival that also runs training, workshops, exhibitions and outreaches. The awarding night marks the helm of the film festival that runs for three days.
Michael Wawuyo Sr is a Ugandan actor and special effects artist. He is notable for his big screen roles on Last King of Scotland, Kony: Order from Above, The Only Son, Sometimes in April, The Mercy of the Jungle,The Taste of our Land, and small screen roles on Uganda NTV's Yat Madit and Power of Legacy.
Sixteen Rounds is a 2021 Ugandan film written and directed by Loukman Ali starring Michael Wawuyo Jr. and Natasha Sinayobye. The short film premiered on YouTube on September 16, 2021, and marks the second installment to The Blind Date, an anthology of short films between Usama Mukwaya and Loukman Ali. The film's soundtrack is designed by longtime collaborator, Andrew Ahuura and features songs by Keneth Mugabi and Fred Masagazi.
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The 1st Ikon Awards ceremony, presented by the Sauti Plus Hub, honored Ugandan films released from 2021 and 2022, and took place at the Kampala Serena Hotel in Kampala, Uganda, on March 25, 2023.
The Passenger is a 2023 Ugandan film directed by Hadijah Nakanjako and written by Meddy Sserwadda. The film stars Henry Nathan Katongole, Allen Musumba and Olot Bonny Elem in leading roles. Usama Mukwaya serves as the executive producer through O Studios Entertainment.
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