Moses Opobo
7 November 2009
Kampala — AMAKULA is a Luganda word that loosely means 'precious gift', a title that is in line with the festival's overall vision to "show films from all over the world that tell us things about the incredible diversity of this life".
With an impressive line-up of African and international film entries to look forward to, there is no shortage of diversity at this festival. In any case, attending the festival also means you are in the company of fellow enthusiasts.
Most of the action takes place around the National Theatre, allowing festival-goers easy access between the auditorium, seminars in the Green Room and a cold beer at the bar in between. The Amakula atmosphere is still serene by international film festival standards, but depending on what's playing, the auditorium can be full to the brim. There are both hardcore film buffs, who arrive early and leave late, while a torrent of casual visitors comes and goes continually.
Aside from watching the screenings, festival-goers are encouraged to interact on a diverse range of subjects. After most screenings, the film directors come on stage and field questions from the audience.
Which tempts one to think that the guy seated next to you in the audience this year will be presenting their own work the next year.
One of the cornerstones of the festival is the 'focus' shorts where each country in East Africa presents a run of around five short films usually centering on a specific theme. It allows budding movie makers to showcase bite-sized pieces of work.
Like the last festivals, this one will showcase world cinema, both classic and contemporary, with special emphasis on African cinema, while bringing international and regional filmmakers together to help forge a more conducive environment for cinema culture. There will be screen filmings, speeches by filmmakers, workshops and seminars on the practice and theory of film in general and new approaches and developments in film. The festival opened on Friday and will run till Saturday.
There are over 200 films on show, so even the hardest movie buff will be spoilt for choice. On the opening night, Clement Sentale, the man who appears on this year's poster, will narrate the story on the rise and fall of the kingdom of Sir Edward Mutesa II, former Kabaka of Buganda.
On Monday, Shawn Makumbi will present Men Enough, an in-depth account of the Imbalu circumcision ritual among the Bamasaba in Eastern Uganda. The next day will be even busier, especially for people looking out for local content. Zippy Nyaruri will be showcasing Maama Emmere, a documentary on the challenges and the triumph the women food vendors in the Kampala streets of Uganda face every day. There is Joseph Kitsha's Envelope of Communication, in which the lead actor, Prossy, is deaf, but her dream is to drive a car like "the hearing people".
There is the thematically relevant My City on Fire by Dennis Onen, about the recent city riots. Acclaimed Hollywood actor, Ntare Mbaho Mwine brings you Beware of Time, a play that charts one man's epic journey across Uganda, Cuba, Canada and America. It is based on a true story.
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