Government keen to tap investment by Ugandans living abroad
Kigozi has a link with the diaspora having attended all UNAA conventions.
What you need to know:
The first Nile’s Diaspora International Film Festival is due on December 7 to 15 at International Resource Centre Bugolobi. There will be filmmaking workshops that will include modern screenwriting, budget filmmaking (tips and techniques), acting tips (film acting versus stage acting), TV production and documentary filmmaking. There will be contributors from Nollywood and Hollywood and the African diaspora. It will be free of charge for those that registered or sent in applications. Jude Katende interviewed the NDIFF patron, Maggie Kigozi ahead of the festival.
Have there been any workshops held to sensitise local filmmakers ahead of the festival?
Xeynah Bantariza, co-founder of NDIFF was here and we met everybody who matters in the industry. We met at the National Theatre in April. We met actors, directors, copywriters, scriptwriters and an official from gender and labour ministry. It is a platform to showcase what we produce. We are looking at improving the sector. We do have the Maisha lab and Amakula but we need to do more. We want to push it to another level. The bankers are keen to participate.
Are other Africans coming or should we expect notables from West Africa, North Africa and South Africa?
South Africans plan to come, Tanzanians are coming. We expect Pili Pili, Bollywood producer based in Tanzania. Submissions for applications ended in October. Africans are competing. They are bringing films to compete for the award. We will have a section recognizing East African films. Salim Amin, son of famous Mo Amin, has a nice film. He has also offered to train photographers. The awards include best documentary, best film and people’s choice among others in the seven categories. Films will be shown every day. Organisers of other festivals based in Europe will also participate.
This is a vibrant industry elsewhere but young here and with lots of potential. Has the government just realised this?
We recognized this as an important sector in 2000. We identified ICT as an important sector. We later discovered IT is just a tool in the creative industry. As government, we tried to push it but it wasn’t easy. After the president’s song, another rap and Minister Amelia Kyambadde’s ‘Amelia’ song, we got interested and now the copyright is going to be enhanced.
Apart from waiving taxes on some production equipment, what else is the government doing for the infant industry?
The government is working with Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to check smuggling. Smuggled CDs, DVDs shouldn’t come in here again. We want a level playing field. Cameras, computers are also tax free. Police is coming on board with URA. The filmmakers have incentives. We merged UCC and Broadcasting Council. Now everything is under UCC. Capacity building was also done.
Will it be an annual event?
Yes, it will be annual, like the Zanzibar International Film Festival.
Why is it called Nile’s Diaspora?
The organisers wanted to bring in capacity of the Diaspora. They have skills they want to share with us.
Will artistes participate?
We expect 300 people, so we need entertainment. Various artistes, fashion designers are on board. We shall incorporate costumes for various films. Fashion creates a visual impact for film besides fashion designs will showcase what they have.
What is the Investment Authority’s role, and the Ministry of Gender?
The creative industry falls under gender and labour, so Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) is keen on this festival. UIA has interests with diaspora’s role in economic development. The ministry of foreign affairs has a project for the diaspora funded by the World Bank to identify who has what skills in the diaspora. UNBS is also on board for quality. We want Ugandans to produce films that can compete globally.
