Kasule Douglas Benda
As the October breeze sweeps through Kampala’s vibrant streets, the buzz of creativity is louder than ever. This weekend, the Matatu Film Stage returns for its third edition, igniting screens and sparking conversations from October 4 to 10 at Century Cinemax, Acacia Mall. Under the provocative theme “Cinema Is Food, But People Are Starving,” this pan-African platform is a rallying cry for a continent’s untold stories, a vital artery pumping life into Uganda’s expanding film industry.
A cocktail reception at Nawab Asian Bistro on October 4, followed by a grand premiere that unfolds into 7 days of cinematic engagement. Twenty-seven daring films from 15 countries will light up cinemas, community halls, and unconventional spaces, blending African narratives with global echoes. Workshops, masterclasses, and panel talks, (which are now free and open to all, promise to equip emerging talents with tools to thrive.
Named after Nairobi’s iconic, graffiti-splashed minibuses, those rolling canvases of culture and chaos, the Matatu Film Stage embodies movement and unfiltered expression. Launched in 2019 by Film Possible, a non-profit dedicated to nurturing African filmmakers, the inaugural edition spotlighted passion-driven shorts like Mawe, Sunday, and Black and White. It was a spark in Uganda’s film scene, where local productions often languish in obscurity, overshadowed by imported blockbusters.
The second edition in 2023 marked a triumphant return after pandemic-induced pauses, screening six Ugandan gems and vowing annual rebirths. Now, the third outing scales new heights: a year-long crusade of screenings stretching from Uganda to Accra, Nairobi, and beyond, into the diaspora. Films will ride matatus, pop up in markets, and stream on VOD, democratising access and turning passive viewers into active participants.
In a country where cinema is often more identical with Hollywood/foreign imports, Matatu Film Stage flips the script. It’s a massive platform that amplifies Ugandan talent while weaving it into Africa’s broader tapestry. This edition’s lineup features shorts that tackle everything from identity and resilience to joy and injustice, all rooted in authentic African experiences.
Selected films will gain exposure across cinemas, TV, festivals, and alternative venues for a full year, from October 2025 to 2026. Founders, Ali Musoke, Patience Asaba and Davidson Mugume have long championed this: showcasing passion projects that might otherwise gather dust, fostering connections that lead to collaborations, funding, and distribution deals. Imagine a young Kampala director’s short film, born in a backyard edit suite, now screening in Nairobi’s art centers or Accra’s pop-up spaces. That is the intention.
This weekend, as the matatu engines rev up metaphorically (and perhaps literally for some screenings), Kampala becomes a cinematic junction. Tickets start at 20,000 UGX, with festival passes for the full immersion, grab yours at matatufilmstage.com or mookh.com. Expect cultural showcases, live dialogues, and films that linger long after the credits roll.
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