The Pearl International Film Festival (PIFF) 2025 wrapped up in grand style at the Bat Valley Theatre on November 22nd, honouring Uganda’s finest filmmakers, rising stars, and industry veterans.
Heavily amplified by cultural promoters like Ssalongo Kasule Douglas Benda, this year’s gala showcased the growing depth and diversity of Uganda’s film talent.
At the top of the night’s accolades were Angel Toni Acer, who clinched Best Actor for his leading role in Fatal, and Hellen Lukoma, who won Best Supporting Actress for her performance in You May Kiss The Bride Goodbye.
Lifetime Achievement & Technical Excellence
A heartfelt highlight of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award, bestowed upon industry legend Prince Joe Nakibinge for his decades-long contribution to cinematic storytelling in Uganda.
You May Kiss The Bride Goodbye also excelled in the technical categories, with Esther Nakaziba earning the Best Makeup Award.
The film UNHEARD made a strong showing, taking home Best Production Design — Francis Lubanjuma and Best Original Score — Kaz Kasozi.
Diverse and Regional Wins
PIFF continued its commitment to spotlighting a range of genres and regional voices:
- Best Supporting Actor: Sulait Mulimira, At the Edge
- Best Animated Film: Amara & The Spirit by Denis Dhikusooka
- Best Documentary Film: TUKO PAMOJA – BUGANDA by Dr Cindy Magara
- Best Short Film: SWEET HEIST
- Best Student Film: DINNER FOR 3 by Kabogozza Brian
- Best Sound Design: KAKANDA (Nigeria)
- Best Costume Design: Nabukenya Hajarah, THE LEGENDS
These wins highlighted both emerging brilliance and the festival’s expanding regional reach.
TUKO PAMOJA – BUGANDA Triumphs as Best Documentary Film
A standout moment of PIFF 2025 was the victory of TUKO PAMOJA – BUGANDA, part of the sweeping 13-part historical docuseries Tuko Pamoja. Directed by Dr Cindy Evelyn Magara, the segment beat a highly competitive lineup to secure the Best Documentary Film Award.
Festival judges praised the film for its rigorous research, visual depth, and emotional exploration of Buganda’s role in Uganda’s pre- and post-colonial identity.
The PIFF win comes shortly after the docuseries secured international acclaim in Kolkata, India, where another segment—Uganda: The Making of a Nation—won Best Documentary (Foreign – Africa) at the Global Independent Film Festival of India (GIFFI).
Speaking after the win, Dr Magara said the dual honours from GIFFI and PIFF should energise Ugandan audiences, educators, and policymakers: “The twin-win should excite local audiences to watch the film, educators to add it to their course outlines, and policymakers to prioritise alternative sources of knowledge—especially our history and politics.”
Writer and assistant director Rogers Atukunda said the double wins reaffirm the project’s mission: “This dual recognition validates our mission to revisit our history, challenge colonial narratives, and inspire unity.”
Tuko Pamoja — Swahili for We Are One — is a 13-part historical docuseries exploring Uganda’s ethnic diversity, indigenous governance, and pre-colonial unity.
