BUGOLOBI – A bid to boost the film sector in the country, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director, Mr Godfrey Mutabazi on Thursday morning held talks with representatives of the creative industry to explore avenues of collaboration.
The engagements also aimed at establishing a growing film industry and opportunities for support were applicable, according to UCC.
“The next growth in economies will be lead by the creative industry,” Mutabazi said.
“We should advocate for the establishment of a robust film industry first; regulations will follow, but I think we are still struggling in many aspects including capacity,” he said adding that “we understand the value of the creative industry and counting on you to boost our local content.”
UCC in partnership with Film Club Uganda on weekend hosted Morocco Omari for the acting and directing workshop.
The training according to UCC was aimed to give a better understanding of the processes of acting and directing for Uganda’s future productions.
UCC says that the American actor, director and producer Morocco Omari was teaching Ugandan filmmakers on how to tell authentic stories and understanding the African stories correctly.
Reps from the creatives expressed concerns challenges faced at film development, capacity building since film in Uganda employs untrained youths and limited access to advances technology.
They feel the local content quota is not yet supportive of the local creative industry.
Richard Mulindwa a renowned film producer and director gives testimony of how the current initiatives have made a difference in his film career including local and regional nominations as Best director and award winner at the Uganda Film Festival over the last five years.
But Mr Mutabazi says the commission will continue to promote the sector including putting a fund that can help the film industry grow as it has already promoted the national identity.
“This [film] industry is the best industry in the world. There is no way we can make the film industry die,” he said recently.
The meeting comes a time when government has resolved to slap the industry with tough regulations.
Although, a cross-section of perfumers including Musicians and comedians have expressed their opposition to a proposed law meant to regulate the activities of performing artistes in the country.
The musicians who last week also resolved to engage with government so that their concerns about the law, which they consider unnecessary and draconian, can be addressed.
