Kasule Douglas Benda
Ugandan filmmakers are once again pushing creative boundaries with the upcoming short film ‘Love Bite’, a noir-inspired monochrome horror project starring Nicholleta Leonardo and Abdul Karim Ssenyange. The film’s title, which hints at romance, is deliberately deceptive, Love Bite has nothing to do with love. Instead, it promises a chilling, spine-tingling horror experience that plays on suspense, fear, and psychological tension. The director says, “We wanted to play with the audience’s expectations. The title makes you think of romance, but what unfolds is far from it”.
Unlike typical Ugandan horror productions, ‘Love Bite’ adopts a film noir aesthetic (black and white) cinematography, moody lighting, sharp contrasts, and a tense, shadow-filled world. This creative choice sets it apart visually and tonally, positioning it to make a statement on both the local and regional film scene.
Nicholleta Leonardo, who takes on a leading role in the film, is a rising star in Uganda’s film industry. Known for her versatility and powerful on-screen presence, Nicholleta has been steadily building a reputation for bold character portrayals and an ability to embody emotionally complex roles. Remember her in ‘Damalie’ tv drama series on Pearl Magic Prime. Her performance in ‘Love Bite’ is expected to showcase a darker, more intense side of her acting craft.
Brian Kabogozza, who is the directive force behind the project, is no stranger to innovative filmmaking. Having previously earned recognition for his award-winning short ‘Dinner for Three’ which took home Best Student Film at the Uganda Film Festival, Brian continues to experiment with bold storytelling styles. With ‘Love Bite’, he pushes into the horror genre with a noir twist, demonstrating both creative ambition and technical skill.
Currently in post-production and visual effects in Nairobi, the film is being fine-tuned by an experienced editor to bring its eerie atmosphere fully to life. The decision to handle post-production and VFX in Nairobi reflects a growing trend of East African film collaboration and resource-sharing.
The release date has not yet been confirmed, but anticipation is steadily building within film circles as the team hints that the premiere will be a unique cinematic experience for audiences who love thrillers, horror, and visually striking storytelling.
Lastly, Kasule Douglas ‘Benda’ has another casting credit with this project.
#MakingUgFilmsFamous
This post was created with our nice and easy submission form. Create your post!
