Film lovers in Uganda will today have a chance to mingle with some of Hollywood and Nollywood's biggest names at a red carpet event to be held at Sheraton hotel in Kampala as the long awaited Nile Diaspora International Film festival (NDIFF) kicks off. NDIFF, which is tipped to be the next big annual film fest in Uganda, will today make its premiere amid all the hype it has created in the last couple of months.

To emphasize the glamour, organizers of the 10-day event have flown in Nollywood stars, Jim Iyke and Nadia Buari. Canadian-born Hollywood star, Tonya Lee Williams of the hit sitcom The Young and the Restless will also grace the fete.

But it is mostly Nigerian heartthrob Iyke and Ghanaian beauty Buari who are tipped to excite Ugandans. Both stars command a cult following here. Iyke is famous for appearing in such films as Ebony and Good Evening while Buari's Beyonce and The President's Daughter became big hits in Uganda.

The trio will be honoured with awards in different capacities. They will also take part in a number of activities, during the course of the festival, to raise money for charity.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen what NDIFF will pull off. Organizers say over 61 local and international films will be screened during the festival whose most activities, including workshops and seminars, will take place at the International Resource Centre premises in Bugolobi.

Today's opening ceremony will feature a fashion show and the screening of trending Nigerian movie Last Flight to Abuja. Tickets to today's show are selling at Shs75,000 (ordinary) and Shs120,000 for VIPs. Gates open at 3pm and the party won't stop until midnight.