The highly anticipated Ikon Awards 2025 have announced this year’s nominees during a special live broadcast on the Ikon Awards Youtube channel.
The announcement has spotlighted outstanding talents in 22 categories which include Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Director of Photography, Best Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Editor, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Special Effects, Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects, Best Short Film, Best Documentary, Best Animation Film, Best TV Series, Best Actor in a TV Series, Best Actress in a TV Series, Best Student Film, and Ikon Rising Star.
Additionally, the Ikon Executive Committee has revealed four prestigious awards Best Emerging Film – recognizing promising new cinematic work, Lifetime Achievement Award – honoring an individual’s enduring contributions to the film industry, African Ikon of the Year – celebrating an influential figure in African cinema and African Rising Star Award – highlighting an emerging talent making waves on the continent.
One of the key highlights of this year’s awards is the expansion of the nominee slots in each of the 22 competitive categories from four to five, offering greater recognition for outstanding talent.
“What makes this year’s Ikon Awards special is that we have expanded the number of nominees, creating more room to celebrate exceptional work. This time, we are stronger than ever in championing inclusivity and celebrating diverse voices in the film and television industry,” said Usama Mukwaya, Ikon Awards producer.
Speaking at the Ikon nominees announcement, Humphrey Nabimanya, CEO of the Ikon Awards, emphasized the power of collaboration in advancing Uganda’s film industry.
“We believe that collaboration is the cornerstone of progress in the film industry of Uganda. The Ikon Awards serve not only as a celebration of our cinematic achievements but also as a powerful platform for uniting filmmakers, artists, and enthusiasts in our shared mission to uplift and elevate the Ugandan film landscape. Together, we can harness our collective creativity and passion to showcase the rich stories of our nation, and the Ikon Awards stand as a testament to the remarkable growth and potential of our industry,” he said.
As part of the Ikon nominations announcement, a powerful panel discussion took place featuring renowned filmmakers Doreen Nabbanja, Drake Makanga Clay, and Lucky Lora Atwiine.
The discussion centered on the growth of Uganda’s film industry, with a special emphasis on the evolving roles of women in film and television.
Doreen Nabbanja, a filmmaker who attended the nominations announcement, shared her excitement about the growing competitiveness in the industry.
“It’s incredible to witness how much the Ugandan film industry has evolved. The nominations this year highlight an intense level of competition, proving that our storytellers and filmmakers are pushing boundaries like never before. Whether nominated or not, it’s inspiring to see so much talent being recognized. Events like these remind us why we do what we do—to tell compelling stories that resonate and make an impact,” Nabbanja said.
The Ikon Awards, now in their third edition are scheduled to happen on March,29 2025 at Serena Hotel Kampala.
The nominees
IKON RISING STAR
Arthur William Sewanyana
Tyra Abok
Ethan Mwesigwa
Iradukunda Rebecca Hope
Barack Balaba
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Raymond Rushabiro – SOCCER HEART
Bwanika Baale Felix – SSEKUKKULU
Muhmood Zamunyo – MARIA
Housen Mushema – MAKULA
Edson Keith Abitegeka – SSEKUKKULU
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Milka Irene – NOT A WIFE
Eleanor Nabwiso – KARAMOJA
Nakayo Veronica – CHRISTMAS TOGETHER
Joanitta Bewulira Wandera – MAKULA
Nana Kagga – MARIA
ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
MAKULA
Cinematography by Alex Ireeta
MARIA
Cinematography by Vincent Odoi
SOCCER HEART
Cinematography by Alex Ireeta
CHRISTMAS TOGETHER
Cinematography by Izaek Ekuka
And KARAMOJA
KARAMOJA
Cinematography by Izaek Ekuka
ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREENWRITING
MAKULA
Screenplay by Nisha Kalema
MARIA
Screenplay by Nana Kagga
CHRISTMAS TOGETHER
Screenplay by Mary Nyanzi and Eleanor Nabwiso
SOCCER HEART
Screenplay by Kevin Johns Nabukenya
SSEKUKKULU Screenplay by Josephine Kabahuma and Samuel
Savior Kizito
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND DESIGN
Isiko Abubaker – KARAMOJA
Jose Arins – MAKULA
Kyobe Sebbowa – SOCCER HEART
Marvin Rain Ssentongo – THE LIONS OF BUGANDA
Simon Agola – MARIA
ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING
Henry Matovu, Kizito Sudaisy Sebowa – MAKULA
Kizito Sudaisy Sebowa – SOCCER HEART
Marvin Rain Ssentongo, Muhwezi Herbert – THE LIONS OF BUGANDA
Paul Katumwa, Vincent Odoi – MARIA
Paul Kimera – KARAMOJA
ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
THE LIONS OF BUGANDA
Costume Design by Ali Musinguzi, Dollar Fashionista, Naggayi Patricia –
KARAMOJA
Costume Design by Nantege Joan
MAKULA
Costume Design by Nantege Maureen Victoria
SOCCER HEART
Costume Design by Nantege Joan
And MARIA
Costume Design by Tazibone Solomon
ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP AND SPECIAL EFFECTS
HALF LIFE
Makeup And Special Effects by Kabanywari Maggie
MAKULA
Makeup And Special Effects by Nakakande Cynthia –
KARAMOJA
Makeup And Special Effects by Nantege Joan
THE LIONS OF BUGANDA
Makeup And Special Effects by Nabakiibi Joana Jojo, Latifah Nabatanzi and
Rutaro Abell
MARIA Makeup and Special Effects by Nantege Joan
BEST ACTOR IN A TV SERIES
Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga – SANYU
Dennis Kinani – DAMALIE
Derrick Baka – BELOVED
Emmanuel Atuhaire – CROSSROADS
Moses Jr. Kiboneka – JDC
BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES
Diana Nabatanzi – JDC
Doreen Mirembe – DAMALIE
Hellen Lukoma – BELOVED
Nicole Estella – CROSSROADS
Nana Kagga – DAMALIE
ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN
Imran Musabbeh – MAKULA
Nana Kagga – MARIA
Imran Musabbeh – SOCCER HEART
Mulindwa Richard – HALF LIFE
Tumusiime Robert Quintes – THE LIONS OF BUGANDA
ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
THE LIONS OF BUGANDA Visual Effects by Patrick Chris Black, Faysal Mukalazi –
DINNER FOR THREE Visual Effects by Lazarus Musungu
STAPLE Visual Effects by Nsiimbe Isaac Newton
BEST SHORT FILM
Boy No Fear by Jonathan Curtiss
Estranged by Sharifu Kisambira
Jimbi by Tusabe Ivan
Jua Kali by Ssemwogererere Nersky Nurudeen
Staple by Isaac Bbuye
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Charcoal and Courage
Ghetto Fist
The History of film in Uganda
Ghetto Mama
The Royal Summit
BEST ANIMATION FILM
Fractured
Kataleya
Kintu
Maica
Stuck in the Nest
BEST TV SERIES
Crossroads by AYENY T. STEVE
Beloved by NATHAN MAGOOLA
Damalie by DOREEN MIREMBE
JDC by ALLAN MANZI
Sanyu by MATHEW NABWISO
BEST STUDENT FILM
Dinner for Three
Emunyenye
Not my daughter
The Boy from Kampala
The Chicken Thief
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Rehema Nakitto (Ray P) – NOT A WIFE
Nabakiibi Joana Jojo – OMUKULULO
Nisha Kalema – MAKULA
Pelly Peninah Nampanga – MARIA
Hasifah Nakitende – PRESENT PAST
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Isaac Khaweka – AT THE CROSSROADS
Prince Joe Nakibinge – OMUKULULO
Ssekimpi John Mary – PRESENT PAST
Issa Massade Yusuf – SOCCER HEART
Lubega Edris – HALF LIFE
BEST DIRECTOR
Richard Mulindwa – HALF LIFE
Nisha Kalema and Dan Mugisha – MAKULA
Kevin Johns Nabukenya – SOCCER HEART
Nana Kagga – MARIA
Jerry Sesanga – THE LIONS OF BUGANDA
BEST FILM
Soccer Heart by KEVIN JOHNS NABUKENYA
Maria by NANA KAGGA
Karamoja by ELEANOR NABWISO
Makula by NISHA KALEMA
The Lions of Buganda by JERRY SESANGA