Kasule Douglas Benda
Uganda continues to make impactful strides in the regional and international film scene, not only through award-winning productions but also through professional representation in critical industry spaces. At this year’s Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) 2025, two Ugandans proudly served on the festival’s jury, a role that speaks volumes about the credibility and respect our professionals are earning across Africa.
Amanya Leonard, who serves as Multimedia Officer – Marketing & Promotions at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), was selected as a juror in three major categories: Feature Film, Short Film, and Documentary Film. Not only did he travel to Zanzibar to fulfill this important role, but he also actively contributed to panel discussions held during the festival, lending his expertise and insights on East African cinema and content promotion.
Leonard Amanya
Shamim Mugisha, the Content Development Officer at UCC, also proudly represented Uganda as a juror in the Short Film category, playing a crucial part in evaluating some of the region’s finest emerging voices in storytelling.
Shamim Mugisha
Being appointed as a jury member at an internationally respected festival like ZIFF is no small feat. It is a recognition of both professional competence and deep understanding of cinema, and a powerful reminder that Uganda is not only producing great films but also nurturing film thinkers, curators, and leaders.
Congratulations to both Leonard and Shamim for flying the Ugandan flag high and reinforcing our position in the broader East African creative ecosystem.
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