How it went down at Pearl International Film Festival screenings

The Pearl International Film Festival (PIFF), in its recently launched tenth edition, commenced its festival screening with enthusiasm at Ham Cinemax in Makerere on November 23, 2023.

The screenings, featuring six movies, commenced at 2:00pm with Back From Jail by  Ronnie Ssesimba. The film narrates the story of an ex-convict returning from prison to discover that his wife is on the verge of marrying his best friend.

Following this, Beneath Beauty by Andrew Tumanyane unfolded — a complex tale involving a man accused of murdering his wife. The plot thickened as, amidst the legal battle, the supposedly deceased wife was revealed to be on the run, leaving the audience puzzled.

At around 5:00pm, Kafa Coh by Gilbert Lukalia and Doreen Mirembe took the spotlight with its politically driven theme.

The narrative revolves around a young, naive lawyer, Sandrah Atika Alexis, caught in the crossfire between two political heavyweights. The movie garnered attention for its compelling story and production quality, sparking a buzz in the cinema from the audience.

Next on the lineup was Mathew Nabwiso's Karamoja, narrating a poignant love story about Rita Belinda Nakiru, a beautiful young Karamajong woman in the UK. Rita's love affair with James Walker, a lovable but bumbling British man, led them to Uganda to meet Rita's parents in Karamoja, unfolding a unique cultural journey.

The screenings concluded with two more movies by Mathew Nabwiso, namely 24 Hours and When You Become Me, both captivating the audience and providing immense enjoyment.

After the screening, Sinani Ssentongo, one of the attendees, expressed his appreciation for the fact that all these compelling stories were of Ugandan origin, presented with high-quality production.

"I am amazed at the level of quality and production. I have learned so much from them, and I believe Uganda has much to offer in the coming years," Ssentongo remarked.

Saddam Sejjemba, the assistant coordinator of PIFF, expressed his delight at the high turnout, attributing it to the festival's well-curated movie selection. Despite disruptions from the Media Council, which disapproved several scheduled movies, Sejjemba remained optimistic about the next edition, anticipating even greater numbers.

"Yes, our selection was on point. All the movies were excellent, and I am happy that the audience enjoyed them. Despite the disruption from the Media Council, we have still managed to showcase a substantial number of movies, and the ones shown have received a great reception. I am confident that the next edition will be a remarkable one," Sejjemba affirmed.

It is noteworthy that the awards gala night of the festival is scheduled to take place on November 25, 2023, at Theatre Labonita.