Polly Kamukama's 'Unheard' bags seven accolades during 2024 iKon awards
Polly Kamukama and Joseph Ken Ssebaggala’s drama - Unheard - was the top winner during the second edition of the Ikon Awards held over the weekend at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
The film - starring Jackline Katusime, Joseph Kahirimbanyi and Cyril Baryabawe - won the Best Film Award in addition to six other accolades, namely: Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Sound, Best Makeup and Special Effects; Best Production Design and;
Keep Reading
Emerging Film Award.
The film is voiced in the Rukiga dialect and was shot in Rwenshama and Kabale in Western Uganda and tells the story of a young widow in a remote fishing village in South Western Uganda who stuns her community by defying a centuries-old tradition.
While accepting the award, Polly Kamukama said, “I’ve been working on this film since 2011 when I was in university. I’d been scarred by a particular moment in my childhood and the original idea was to write a story about my mother. But as I grew older, as a journalist, I
interviewed women riding boda bodas (motorcycle taxis), driving taxis, female boxers in Katanga slum and other women who were shattering ceilings and making a difference who were brave enough to defy all these entrenched cultural traditions. These ladies were
inspiring the next generation of women, and this is a story that resonated with me and my mother. I’m so grateful that you all believed in my story.”
The Ikon Awards are an initiative of Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) as a platform to recognise and celebrate innovation and creativity in Uganda’s film and television industry and supported by Sauti Plus Media Hub, UNESCO, Radiant, Uganda Airlines, Kampala Serena Hotel, Next Media, Divine Resort Mukono, Sozo Films, Coal360, ATS Events, Light For The world, Aquafina, Cinema UG, Uganda Key Populations Consortium, Media Challenge Initiative, Print Creations and Ramsey Films.
The awards were attended by special guests from Nigeria’s film industry; Ramsey Nouah; Osite Iheme; Nancy Isime, Chris Odeh and Uche Ateli.
Full list of winners
BEST FILM
“UNHEARD” by Polly Kamukama, Joseph Ken Ssebaggala
BEST DIRECTOR
JOSEPH KEN SSEBAGGALA, “Unheard”
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
JACKLINE KATUSIIME, “Unheard”
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Henry Nathan Katongole, “The Passenger”
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Blair Koono, “Enkuba”
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Allen Musumba, “The Passenger”
BEST DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
“The Passenger”, Izaek Ekuka
BEST SCREENPLAY
“MAID OF HONOR” written by Patrick Lorimo
BEST SOUND
Kaz Kasozi, “Unheard”
BEST EDITOR
Emma Daka Waira, “The Passenger”
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Nabbanja Hikmah, Lukwago Paluku, Tumusiime Jackie, ” The Kitara Chronicles”
BEST MAKEUP AND SPECIAL EFFECTS
Rose Lily Kebirungi, “Unheard”
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Francis Byaruhanga, “Unheard”
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Tusingwire Alex, “The Kitara Chronicles”
BEST SHORT FILM
“Building” 62 by Hakim Zziwa
BEST DOCUMENTARY
“The Shadow Pandemic” by Ben Bwire and Ssekandi Jimmy
BEST ANIMATION FILM
“Herderboy” by Raymond Malinga
BEST TV SERIES
“Damalie” by Doreen Mirembe
BEST ACTOR IN A TV SERIES
Symon Base Kalema, “Prestige”
BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES
Doreen Mirembe, “Damalie”
BEST STUDENT FILM
“Silent Scream” by Otim Gerald
IKON RISING STAR
King Missy
IKON RISING STAR – AFRICA
Nancy Isime
LIFE ACHIEVEMENT
Michael Wawuyo Sr
EMERGING FILM AWARD
Unheard
AFRICAN IKON AWARD
Osita IHEME
