The 8th edition of the Ngalabi Short Film Festival is set to take place from September 6th to 8th, 2024, at the Circular Design Hub in Kampala, Uganda. Organized by the Goethe-Zentrum Kampala/Ugandan German Cultural Society, this annual festival has been a cornerstone of the short film genre in Sub-Saharan Africa since its inception in 2017.
This year’s festival promises to be a remarkable event, showcasing 25 short films from a diverse range of countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Namibia, Reunion Island, France, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary, and Portugal. The festival’s lineup includes award-winning films such as “Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire – ‘Herderboy'” by Raymond Malinga from Uganda and “From Here to There” by Remy Ryumugabe from Rwanda, among others.
The festival’s program spans three days, featuring film screenings interspersed with Q&A sessions, allowing audiences to engage directly with the filmmakers. Each day brings a unique selection of films and themes, exploring a wide array of genres, including animation, sci-fi, magical realism, drama, thriller, fantasy, comedy, afro-surrealism, experimental, and documentary.
Some of the thematic highlights include explorations of loss, grief, identity, friendship, cultural innovation, love, loneliness, the influencer economy, and immigrant experiences. This year’s festival also marks the first time that films from Reunion Island and the premier screening in Africa of the French film “Cut Me If You Can” by Nicolas Polixene and Sylvain Loubet.
Joel Tugaineyo, the Festival Curator, expressed his excitement for this year’s edition, saying, “We are excited to celebrate a collection of vibrant and diverse stories from Africa and its diaspora that celebrate the best of cinema and its magical ability to connect us all. This festival is a tribute to all the powerful, creative voices that are shaping our industry today.”
The Ngalabi Short Film Festival is not just a celebration of cinema but also an important platform for African filmmakers to showcase their work on an international stage. It offers an opportunity for filmmakers and audiences alike to engage with stories that reflect the diverse and dynamic cultures of Africa and its diaspora.
Entry to all screenings and Q&A sessions is free, making it an accessible cultural event for all. The festival can be followed on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), with the hashtags #NgalabiShortFilmFestival and #Eighthedition.
For more information, interested parties can contact Joel Tugaineyo, Festival Curator, or Racheal Kizza, Cultural Coordinator, through the provided contact details.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of African short films at the Ngalabi Short Film Festival 2024.