Ugandan filmmakers head to Johannesburg for iKON creative exchange

A group of Ugandan filmmakers, actors, producers and other creative industry players are set to travel to Johannesburg, South Africa, for the iKON Activate Creative Exchange, running from October 14 to 19.

The pan-African initiative is designed to bring creatives together for dialogue, networking, skills exchange and co-production opportunities, with this year’s Johannesburg edition placing Uganda’s growing film industry in conversation with South Africa’s established creative ecosystem.

The event will be hosted by acclaimed South African actor, producer and creative entrepreneur Thapelo Mokoena, who has previously visited Kampala and interacted with Uganda’s film industry.

Building on previous activations in Lagos, Nairobi and Kigali, the Johannesburg edition will celebrate the cultural links between Uganda and South Africa while creating opportunities for filmmakers from both countries to collaborate.

One of the key highlights will be the African Film Forum at MultiChoice City, held under the theme, “Africa Is Our Studio: From Collaboration to Commerce.”

The forum will feature a keynote address by the Head of Content Strategy at MultiChoice Group, followed by a panel bringing together leading voices from Uganda and South Africa.

Uganda will be represented by Matthew Nabwiso, an actor, producer and director who also serves as president of the National Producers’ Guild of Uganda.

After the forum, the creatives will gather for the iKON Filmmakers’ Soiree, an evening dedicated to networking, socialising and celebrating the African film community.

The programme will also include a tour of MultiChoice City, sightseeing around Johannesburg and visits to active film sets, giving the Ugandan delegation an opportunity to see South Africa’s production environment first-hand and interact with local filmmakers.

The iKON Awards are an initiative of Reach A Hand Africa, formerly Reach A Hand Uganda, and Sauti Plus, a communications, creative and audiovisual production agency. The awards celebrate innovation and excellence in Uganda’s film and television industry.

The fourth edition of the iKON Awards is scheduled for December 12, 2026, in Kampala under the theme “Beyond Borders". The organisers say the theme reflects their ambition to spotlight African talent while encouraging cross-border collaboration.

Humphrey Nabimanya, founder and CEO of Reach A Hand Africa and the iKON Awards, said the Johannesburg exchange would expose Ugandan creatives to South Africa’s extensive film industry experience while opening doors for collaboration.

Seasoned actor and iKON lifetime Achievement Award winner Michael Wawuyo Sr. (L) shakes hands with actor and producer Ramsey Nouah during iKON Activate in Nigeria last year. File Photo

“We are very excited to bring the iKON Activate to Johannesburg because of the rich history and experience that South Africa has in the film ecosystem,” Nabimanya said.

He added that the exchange would help connect filmmakers, strengthen skills development and create opportunities for young Africans to pursue film as a sustainable career.

For Mokoena, the collaboration is also an opportunity to help Uganda’s creative industry expand beyond its borders.

“Having spent some time in Kampala earlier this year, I witnessed firsthand just how strong the energy of Uganda’s film industry is,” he said.

Mokoena said the experience motivated South African creatives to share their networks and expertise with Uganda’s creative sector, with the goal of supporting its growth into a regional and continental film industry.

Beyond the annual awards, the iKON programme focuses on developing film as a viable career path for young Africans.

Over its first three editions, the programme has awarded 75 winners and trained 75 young filmmakers, who have gone on to produce 22 short films and four feature films.

The Johannesburg exchange is therefore expected to give Ugandan creatives a chance to build relationships that could translate into future productions, partnerships and opportunities across the continent.