Kasule Douglas Benda
Over the weekend, on Saturday 26th July, marked the vibrant closing of the 9th edition of the Ngalabi Short Film Festival at Goethe-Zentrum Kampala in Bukoto. For me, it was my very first time attending Ngalabi, not due to lack of interest, but because the festival’s calendar never quite aligned with mine. This year, I was glad the stars finally aligned.
Running from Tuesday 22nd to Saturday 26th July, Ngalabi 2025 delivered an unforgettable week of cinema, conversation, and culture. More than just screenings, this edition stood out for its topical panel discussions that delved deep into the heart of Uganda’s film industry. Key voices like Isaac Nabwana (Wakaliwood), Samuel Tebandeke (Kiasi), and Mike Strano (Yakwetu) led conversations on film distribution, marketing, and data-driven filmmaking. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive highlighting how insightful and necessary these discussions were for the future of storytelling on the continent.
Curated by Joe Tugaineyo, the festival showcased 16 short films from Uganda, Kenya, Morocco, Tanzania, and South Africa, each bringing a unique perspective to the screen on the evenings of Friday 25th and Saturday 26th.
Saturday night’s closing ceremony was particularly memorable. Aaron J. Tamale, our host for the evening, was a standout. From his attire to his stage presence, he knew his audience and delivered with charm and professionalism. The evening kicked off with a stimulating session of “Can We Talk?” led by Belinda Katumba, sparking honest reflections about the state of Uganda’s film industry.
Then came the main event: the screening of 8 short films (4 per screening segment), followed by a panel discussion with some of the directors. Among the standout films for me were:
- Falling Out by Alisanyukirwa Joy Matovu
- Oije Ondarire by Phionah Daisy Owomugisha
- Please Wait by Kevin Mukama
- Transaction (Kenyan film)
Each film brought something distinct, whether in storytelling, performance, or cinematic style.
The room was brimming with a young, energetic audience, mostly 20-30 years old. It was encouraging to see them so engaged with the films, reacting emotionally, laughing, leaning in. Seeing young Ugandans consume cinema so earnestly reminded me that the future of our industry is bright if we continue to nurture it. However, during the panel discussions, some in the back became a little distracted with side conversations. At some point, Aaron gently stepped in to remind them to respect the speakers and space. It was a necessary nudge and a sign of his attentiveness to us who were concerned and interested in the valuable discussions about the process of making the films we had watched.
To the Ngalabi team, congratulations on reaching nine years of consistently delivering a thoughtful, well-curated platform for short films. Your work is deeply appreciated, and I personally can’t wait for the 10th anniversary edition in 2026. It will be one for the books.
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