'Tembele' movie pre-selection: Is Uganda ready for prestigious Oscars awards?

For the first time in history, Uganda will submit a movie to the Oscars if Tembele, which was pre-selected by the Uganda Academy Selection Committee (UASC) to represent the country, meets the eligibility criteria by October 3, 2022.

Tembele’s selection for the awards has got many people talking. As much as some of the experts think Uganda needs more time to participate in the global awards, several others think now is the time. 

The Oscars are the oldest and most prestigious awards in the world held in the US every year since 1929.

The Kampala Sun talked to several filmmakers and experts on what they think about Uganda’s involvement in the Oscars. Is Uganda ready for the Oscars?

La Santos, film critic, said: “There is no one who is always ready. So many countries with good production can’t reach the level Tembele has reached. We shall never be ready until we start. Tembele is a stepping stone to open the eyes of our local filmmakers to start aiming for the Oscars.”

Philip Luswata, filmmaker, actor and Uganda Film Festival 2022 judge, said: “This question may be triggered by the consideration that Ugandan cinema may still be challenged in terms of technology and technical expertise to have competitive relevance at such a level. But this can’t define a people’s ability to tell compelling stories under whatever circumstances. My thought would be: Does Uganda really need validation in America, or should we concentrate on building our own validation here? Maybe the invitation to America is already a nod to the fact that we are building something embraced at home and this is noteworthy on the international stage.”

Kennedy Kihire, filmmaker, said: “If Uganda isn’t ready, when will the right time be? We have to start somewhere. To be at the Oscars means you have ticked all their boxes, including authenticity which Tembele has, I believe.”

Ritah Namanya, assistant lecturer at St. Lawrence University, said: “The Oscars are a very big platform. The criteria is tight and we need enough money to promote the movie. I don’t think we are there yet. On the side of creativity and production, we have so many young and talented filmmakers who can make movies that are good enough, but the money to promote them is the issue.”

Polly Kamukama, film consultant and member of the Uganda Academy Selection Committee, said: “I believe we are ready because as you can see, there has been great improvement in the movies we have made in the last three years. We have been nominated and have won at several continental and global festivals and that’s a pointer to show how ready we are.”

Andrew Elvis Mutebi, president of the Uganda Film Producers’ Association, said: “I think it’s the right time. Our industry has come a long way. We have so many good movies here and some of them have made it to the international market, why not scoop an international award like the Oscars? I think we are ready for the Oscars.”

Ods Rasheed, Ugandan Film Analyst in the diaspora, said: “We still have a long way to go, but if there’s an opportunity to get exposure, then it’s okay to take it. That way, we can get more support, awakening, and motivation to push on.”  

Dialo Ssekidde, film lecturer and analyst at Kampala Film School, said: “There is never a right time, but there will always be a first time, so this is absolutely the moment. We need to set a precedent in Ugandan film. It’s high time we started showcasing what we are good at. We have improved so much in film and I think we are fit enough to appear on such big platforms like the Oscars.”

Nisha Kalema, film producer, director, and actress, said: “If there is anyone who comes up and says we are not ready for the Oscars, then maybe it’s because the movie that was selected is not his. If they claim we are not ready, what have they done? Have they made any movie that is worth the Oscars? What do they think Uganda needs to be ready for the Oscars? I think we are ready, we just need to believe in ourselves. It just needs one step, one door opening like this and so many things will open along.”