African cinema is entering a transformative phase characterized by unity, cooperation, and a collective vision. At the forefront of this movement is iKON Africa, an initiative that has emerged as a pivotal force fostering collaboration across the continent’s film industries.
On September 27, 2025, iKON Africa proudly hosted its inaugural Uganda-Nigeria Soirée at EbonyLife Cinemas in Lagos, Nigeria. This intimate gathering brought together filmmakers, actors, producers, and key industry figures from both nations to celebrate the art of African storytelling. More than a mere social event, the soirée marked the beginning of a meaningful cultural and professional exchange between Nollywood and Uganda’s film community.
This event was a bold statement of purpose. iKON Africa is evolving beyond its Ugandan origins, aiming to unify Africa’s diverse film sectors into a powerful alliance capable of competing with global giants like Hollywood and Bollywood.
During the soirée, Nigerian producer Chris Odeh highlighted the hurdles African cinema faces. “We may lack the scale, funding, and global reach of Hollywood, but our strength lies in African unity and collaboration,” he remarked.
Odeh’s insight encapsulates iKON Africa’s mission. Individually, African countries often lack the financial resources, infrastructure, and international networks to rival established film industries. Yet, the continent’s vast mosaic of languages, traditions, and histories offers a unique reservoir of stories waiting to be shared with the world.
Initially, iKON Africa concentrated on nurturing Ugandan talent through initiatives like the iKON Awards and its fellowship program. Recognizing the limitations of working in isolation, the organization has now broadened its horizons. The Nigerian soirée is the first in a series of planned cross-border events designed to foster dialogue and partnerships among African filmmakers. Nigeria, with its massive population and Nollywood-the world’s second-largest film industry by volume-was a natural starting point for this expansion.
The event offered Ugandan filmmakers a valuable opportunity to connect with some of Nollywood’s most influential figures. Conversations spanned topics such as co-productions and cultural collaboration. Humphrey Nabimanya, founder of the iKON Awards, underscored the importance of this alliance: “Nollywood actors are widely admired in Uganda. When we began focusing on film, Nollywood was a major inspiration. This partnership aims to deepen our existing bonds and celebrate our shared heritage. Nollywood has taught us how to showcase culture on screen, and Uganda is eager to both learn and contribute.”
Nigerian producer Chris Odeh echoed this enthusiasm, describing the collaboration as “a powerful union between the Giant of Africa and the Pearl of Africa.” He acknowledged Nollywood’s progress but noted there is still room for growth. “We’re making strides, but we’re not at the finish line yet,” he said, emphasizing that Nollywood’s experience can serve as a blueprint for other African film industries while benefiting from their unique perspectives.
Collaborative efforts are not entirely new to the continent. Nigerian filmmakers have recently led masterclasses and workshops across Africa. For instance, Nollywood star Ramsey Nouah conducted a filmmaking workshop in Uganda, sharing expertise on acting, directing, and the business side of cinema.
Ramsey Nouah is also incorporating collaboration into his upcoming projects. His new drama, ‘Dambe’, inspired by Hausa folklore, features a Ugandan actor who is currently learning the Hausa language to prepare for his role. This casting choice exemplifies Pan-African filmmaking-an exchange of cultures, mutual growth, and a united platform for telling authentic African stories.
“No single African country can match the scale of America, South Korea, China, or Europe on its own,” Nouah observed. “Our strength lies in coming together as Africans. While they may surpass us in numbers, technology, and funding, Africa’s true advantage is in combining our unique talents. Uganda brings rich narratives, Nigeria offers experience, South Africa contributes technology, Kenya adds discipline, and Ghana provides distinctiveness. United, we can position Africa as a formidable player on the global stage.”
Actors like Michael Wawuyo, honored with the iKON Lifetime Achievement Award, also embraced the spirit of collaboration. Wawuyo praised Nollywood’s growth and expressed Uganda’s ambition to follow a similar trajectory by learning from Nigeria’s achievements. He revealed his involvement in Ramsey Nouah’s ‘Dambe’, though he kept details under wraps. For Wawuyo, Africa’s vast population is a vital asset that, if leveraged effectively, could propel African films to broader international acclaim.
Nigerian actor Kalu Ikeagwu reflected on his past collaborations with Ugandan filmmakers dating back to 2018 and expressed optimism about the current partnership’s potential. He highlighted the high caliber of participants as a promising sign for the future of this alliance.
A major highlight of the evening was Chris Odeh’s announcement that his NGO, Quirosity, in collaboration with Ramsey Films, will award a $10 million grant to emerging Ugandan filmmakers. This initiative aims to empower the next generation of storytellers with the resources needed to create films that resonate on a global scale.
The Uganda-Nigeria Soirée marks just the beginning of iKON Africa’s vision. The organization plans to replicate similar events with other African nations, gradually building a continent-wide network of filmmakers united by a common goal. This Pan-African strategy could enhance Africa’s negotiating power in international markets, improve film distribution, and enable stories that are both globally appealing and deeply rooted in African culture.
As global audiences increasingly seek fresh perspectives and diverse narratives, African cinema-with its rich blend of history, mythology, contemporary challenges, and triumphs-is uniquely positioned to meet this demand. By joining forces, African filmmakers can amplify their voices, strengthen their industries, and establish Africa as a distinctive powerhouse in the worldwide film landscape.
In the words of Humphrey Nabimanya, “This is just the beginning. Our stories shape the narrative, influence our future, guide policies, and reflect the daily challenges and solutions we encounter.”
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