The iKON Awards team last weekend took their vision to Nigeria, hosting the first-ever iKON Activate at Ebony Life Cinema in Abuja. The gathering, a curtain-raiser to the annual iKON Awards, brought together Nigerian filmmakers, industry associations, and partners to explore how Uganda and Nigeria can collaborate more closely in film.
The meeting drew some of Nollywood’s heavyweights, including Uche Agbo, President of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria; Patrick Lee, Head of Operations at Viva Cinemas and former chair of the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria; Joy Odiete, CEO of Blue Pictures Entertainment and President of the Film Distributors Association of Nigeria; Mary Ephraim-Egbas, FDAN’s National Secretary; and actor-director Ramsey Nouah.
At the heart of the conversations was a simple but pressing question: how can African filmmakers work together to break funding barriers, improve distribution, and grow their presence on global platforms?
Nigeria’s top film regulator, Dr. Shaibu Husseini of the National Film and Video Censors Board, pledged his agency’s support to Ugandan filmmakers. “We believe initiatives like this are crucial for the growth of the film industry in Africa. The Board is committed to supporting programs that advance the sector and create opportunities for filmmakers across the continent,” he said.
Humphrey Nabimanya
Joy Odiete pushed the conversation further, urging African filmmakers to think beyond national borders while also challenging practices that restrict the industry. “We must be ready to localize content so that it connects with different audiences. But at the same time, we must move away from exclusivity agreements that limit African films. Access to funding is already difficult, and when you secure it, the interest rates are high. What we need are fair deals that allow African films to circulate widely. By lobbying as a bloc, we can share our narratives, make our films pan-African, and capture the global market,” she argued.
For Uganda’s delegation, the challenges were familiar. Mathew Nabwiso, President of the National Producers Guild of Uganda, shared a personal story of how difficult it can be to produce and distribute film back home. He recalled selling 200 goats from his farm to finance the family drama series Hashtag Family, only to walk away with nothing from a distribution deal. “Even though I made no money from it—not even $50,” he said, underscoring the uphill climb Ugandan filmmakers face.
Despite these struggles, the spirit in Abuja was one of optimism. Uche Agbo of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria summed it up: “We must see ourselves not just as Nigerian, Ugandan, or Kenyan filmmakers, but as African storytellers. Collaboration is the bridge that will carry us to global recognition.”
With this inaugural iKON Activate, organizers set the stage for stronger ties between Kampala and Nollywood, offering a glimpse of what African cinema could achieve if united by shared vision and resources.
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