The iKON Awards has hosted a reunion for participants of the 2025 iKON Fellowship Programme at the Reach a Hand offices in Lungujja.
Held on Saturday, the event brought together past fellows, mentors, filmmakers and partners of the iKON Young Filmmakers Fellowship for a day of networking, reflection and storytelling.
The reunion aimed to celebrate milestones, highlight the progress of alumni, and showcase how the fellowship has shaped the personal and professional journeys of young creatives across Uganda.
Since its launch, the fellowship has trained three groups, supporting 26 fellows and producing 21 short films, which will soon be available exclusively on Kwiso TV through the AfroMobile app.
The first cohort (2022–2023) produced seven short films with eight fellows. The second (2023–2024) trained another eight fellows and created seven films. The current group (2024–2025) consists of 10 fellows and has already completed five films.
Together, these projects explore a wide range of issues including family, identity, mental health, resilience and social justice.
Notable titles include A Taste of Water, Ma’Rachi, Nourah and My Blood from the 2023 class; Deep Waters, Silent Tears and Teen Me from 2024; and Suubi, The Drought Girl and Not Alone from 2025.
The 2025 reunion also served to underline the fellowship’s influence in building the confidence and skills of young filmmakers, showcasing their achievements through screenings and testimonials.
It positioned the fellowship as a key platform nurturing talent that is using film to spark social change in Uganda and beyond.
Reflecting on her experience, 2024/2025 fellow Nankya Mariam Shamsa said:
“Being part of the iKON Fellowship has been transformative, but it also comes with unique challenges. Sometimes, potential employers assume we are overqualified or ‘too big’ after the programme. While this can be discouraging, it is also a reminder of the high standards the fellowship instils in us as young filmmakers.”
Filmmaker and Director of Operations at the iKON Aspire Foundation, Usama Mukwaya, stressed the importance of hard work.
“The iKON Young Filmmakers Fellowship is a vital stepping stone for emerging creatives. However, true success depends on one’s commitment to hard work, the courage to unlearn old habits, and the openness to embrace new industry approaches. That combination is what will allow fellows to thrive in the long run.”
Founder of the iKON Awards, Humphrey Nabimanya, outlined the bigger vision.
“You are the filmmakers of tomorrow, and we are committed to empowering you to also be the best filmmakers of today. The industry’s future depends on your creativity, resilience, and drive. Through the fellowship, we will continue to provide opportunities, whether by adding your films to platforms like AfroMobile to amplify your reach and revenue, or by ensuring you are prioritised for industry benefits," he said.
He added, "But as much as we open doors, you must also promote yourselves as producers, filmmakers, and actors. Together, we can build something greater. Our goal is to make the iKON Awards the African Oscars, bigger and better with every step we take.”
The gathering was also a call to action for industry players, audiences and partners to support Uganda’s young filmmakers, raise their profiles, and watch their short films now streaming on Kwiso TV via the AfroMobile app.
The iKON Awards is Uganda’s annual celebration of film and television, recognising creativity, excellence and innovation within the country’s creative industry.
It honours outstanding talent, projects and contributions that uplift the sector locally and internationally.
