19th Amakula International Film Festival
(30th Oct. – 1st Nov 2026)
Call for submissions
The Amakula International Film Festival is Uganda’s oldest independent Film festival that aims to contribute to a vibrant local Film Industry, by broadening access to and developing audiences for quality African Film production; inspiring local Filmmakers to produce quality Films based on own stories; facilitating, presenting and promoting local Film productions and offering a professional networking platform for the Filmmaking community within East Africa and beyond.
The festival will happen on a private island in Mukono District – Lunkulu Island 0°10’34.9″N 32°53’09.2″E with more focus on working with national, regional and international Writers, Directors, and Producers who are currently working on Film projects with an aim of turning their ideas and dreams into reality while working with various key and paramount stakeholders within the various Film sectors to enhance the development of Film in Uganda and the East African region as a whole. The festival is now accepting Film submissions from 25th July 2026 in all categories (Feature Film, Documentaries, Short Films and Student Films). Only films completed after 2024 will be accepted. Please note that the Festival reserves the right to which Films compete for the Golden Impala Awards.
One must indicate if they want their Film in or out of competition.
The festival aims to provide a networking and learning space. Directors or lead Actors must be willing to attend the festival, screening(s) and the Talk Back Sessions once their Film is selected/ Directors from outside Uganda must be present. Whereas the festival organizers may extend invitations to all Filmmakers and Directors to attend, they are encouraged to find travel, visa, accommodation, insurance support and inform the festival organizers ahead of time.
Deadline for submissions is 5th September 2026.
Submissions need to be accompanied by the following materials:
- An online link to the film screener and the password if applicable. (Preferred: Vimeo link)
- A DCP copy or a High-Quality Digital File for the movie screening.
- A duly completed and signed entry form
- A synopsis of the Film in English, a biography of the director together with publicity materials
- English subtitles for Films in other languages
- Official Trailer and poster for the submitted Film
- The Uganda Media council screening approval certificate for Uganda movies (We will arrange the certificate for international movies)
For all selected films, filmmakers will provide the festival with a DCP copy or High-Quality Digital copy of the movie for the screening, on hard copy or via online submission.
Hard copy submissions, together with the above-mentioned materials, can also be sent to the following address:
Amakula International Film Festival
c/o Bayimba Cultural Foundation
P.O. Box 34806
Kampala, Uganda
Kyaggwe Block Plot 1- Lunkulu Island
Mukono / Buikwe District
Freight costs must be paid by the sender. The festival organizers will not be responsible for drives lost or damaged in the mail neither are they responsible for initial poor condition of Drives. Return of Films will be at the request and cost of the sender.
Upon receipt of your submission you will receive a confirmation. The selection committee will decide on which Films will be programmed for screening. If your Film has been selected, you will be notified. Films are confirmed at different stages and we will only be able to respond to successful Film submissions. Films qualifying for an award are judged by an independent jury.
