In a bid to foster collaboration and propel the growth of African cinema, Nigerian movie stars and their Ugandan counterparts are sparking a renewed synergy that will explore opportunities in film development across not just between the two countries but across Africa.
The conversation under iKON Activate; Uganda-Nigeria, Co-creating the future of African Film & Television, aims to bridge the gap between the two cinematic powerhouses, unlocking new avenues for creativity, innovation, and cross-cultural exchange that will ensure and improve a good work relationship between the two countries.
While the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, has a reported financial worth of approximately $6.4 billion, with projections aiming for an estimated $14.82 billion in revenue by end of 2025, the Ugandan film industry has a growing presence but faces significant challenges, particularly a lack of substantial financial investment and widespread piracy, which hinder its overall worth and growth.
Though the Ugandan film industry produces films that attract international attention and benefit from the rise of digital streaming platforms like YouTube and Netflix, its economic contribution has remained limited by the aforementioned factors. It is hoped that with the new collaboration more Nigerian films can gain more prominence in Uganda while actors from the country can tap from the successes of Nollywood and expand.
Speaking during the event held at the EbonyLife Place, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nollywood actor, Ramson Noah said the Nigerian film industry has over the years pushed beyond the shore of Nigeria and worked with Ghana, Kenya and others, stressing that it’s open to more collaboration.
“We are collaborating to share culture, explore diversity and it has benefited us financially and aids our growth. We have been talking about unifying Africa but I don’t understand why we have to get visas to other African countries; I don’t understand why we are creating borders. I think we should come together as one,” he said.
Describing the energy in Lagos as nothing short of magical but a living testament to the power of Nollywood and the perfect stage for uniting the unstoppable creative forces of East and West Africa, Ugandan filmmaker, Humphrey Nabimanya said: “iKON Activate is not just an event, it’s a revolution born from a dream in Kampala with the iKON Awards.
“It’s a sacred promise to educate, to connect, and to celebrate the brilliant minds who are rewriting Africa’s narrative. This is a platform to empower, to spark collaborations that transcend borders, and to shine a blazing global spotlight on the storytellers who are shaping our continent’s legacy.”
He noted that the iKON Awards is evolving with new categories designed to honour the cross-continental partnerships that were forged at the stakeholders meeting. He added that the awards will celebrate the visionaries who are tearing down borders and telling stories that unite us all.
“This dream of a borderless African cinema is no longer a distant hope, it’s happening!”
