Top US Hollywood studio eyes Uganda

Oct 11, 2016

The Africa Channel Network and one of Hollywood's leading agents Alec Shankman of Abram Artists Agency (AAA) have already expressed interest in investing in film studio.

Even before the buzz around Queen of Katwe, the Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi biopic, Hollywood had already expressed interest in Uganda as a filming destination thanks to the background efforts of Ugandans in the US.  

The Africa Channel Network and one of Hollywood's leading agents Alec Shankman of Abram Artists Agency (AAA) have already expressed interest in investing in film studio.

The development followed episodes of 'The Wildlife Docs', an American reality TV show, shot in Uganda in November last year finely aired on ABC, an American Broadcasting Network, from March 19 - April 17 2016.

The show, which takes viewers inside the work of zoological professionals -- including veterinarians, technicians and trainers, was spearheaded by American EWorld Media Group (EWMG) President and Executive Producer Isaac Kigozi  and Executive Producer, Hemdee Kiwanuka (both US-based Ugandans) in November 2015.  Kiwanuka is the son of Ugandan singer and TV personality Halima Namakula.

The SeaWorld-sponsored show caught the attention of Damiano Kigoye, the president of Ugandan Community Of California (UCOC) who later reached out to Kigozi and Kiwanuka to find ways they can collaborate on future projects.
 
EWMG and UCOC diligently began working together to create strategies towards the continuation of developing a Ugandan brand that can be digested by the American viewers and investors using the media, film and television networks.
 

 
When Oliver Wonekha, the Ugandan ambassador to the US visited Los Angeles in June this year, she discussed with UCOC and EWMG on how to bring potential investors to Uganda and how to promote tourism and build up the Uganda brand as a business hub in East Africa.

Kigozi took this opportunity to introduce her to some of Hollywood leading Film Studios. These included The Africa Channel Network and one of Hollywood's leading agent Alec Shankman of Abram Artists Agency (AAA) to discuss more about how they too can assist on moving Uganda forward.
 
Following H.E. Ambassador Wonekha's Los Angeles visit and substantial meetings, the Ambassador's trip opened the eyes of investors in the Hollywood Entertainment world who now want to invest in the virgin, but yet bubbling Uganda Entertainment Industry. Move over Nollywood, here comes Uga-Wood.

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