I used to think movies just “happened.” You’d see them on TV and that was it. I didn’t know someone actually sat down to write them. But the day I saw a name in the credits, “written by” something clicked. I started asking questions. And when I found out a movie begins as just a story in someone’s mind, I thought, maybe I can do that too.
My name is Ekakwa Timothy, but most people know me as Director SHISHA. I’m 19 years old, a Senior Four student at Manafwa High School, and currently pursuing Filmmaking with Sisi Film Collective in Mbale. But before I started writing scripts, I was just a boy who loved poems.
In Primary Five I’d recite poetry for visitors at school, and I’d get rewarded with books, applause and encouragement. I became known for it. I started reading books too, and the first storybook I remember was Gulu Gulu Goes to School. In Primary Six, I ran for head boy at Nashibiso Primary School and won, leading over 1,200 pupils. Even then, I was still doing poetry every chance I got
Eventually, I started writing my poems. The first one I ever wrote was Unforgettable Love, a dedication to my stepmother who raised me with kindness. Later, when I joined St. Francis De Sales in Tororo, a school that truly loved drama, I found another stage. Students would perform comedies and skits for school events, and I joined in too. I remember miming to “Wansala” by Victor Ruz and becoming quite popular in school.
During holidays, I started watching Indian movies. The first one I watched was Married Again. My classmates often talked about movies, and I got curious. That’s when I noticed the names in the credits, the writers, the directors and I started wondering how stories become films. I asked a friend how people write movies, and he said, “Just think of a story and write it.” It sounded simple, and I believed him. I sat down and wrote a 96-page story called “In the Cry of an Old Woman”. That was my first attempt at storytelling in a longer form.
In 2024, I transferred to Manafwa High School. I continued writing and came up with another story titled “My Heart Break”. I shared it with a friend, and she loved it so much that she wanted to add a few ideas of her own. That gave me another idea. What if we acted it out?
I approached my English teacher, Mr. Kipchumba Martin. He was impressed and encouraged me to move forward with the idea. Together with my friend Namudira Patience, we gathered students who were willing to act. We even found someone who could record the film, but he needed money. Some students contributed, some didn’t. The money wasn’t enough.
So, I went to the school administration and presented the idea as a school project. Luckily, the head teacher liked it and supported us with some funds. That’s how our first school-based film project was made.
After the film premiere, I shared the link in a WhatsApp group. A man named Joseph Tabula from Victoria University came across it. He messaged me saying he liked my work and would connect me to someone. That someone was Sanyu Sandra, a filmmaker.
I texted her and told her Joseph had shared her number. She responded kindly but told me she’d get back to me. I sent her a link to the film, and later, she asked where I was based. I told her I lived in Mbale. She asked if I could come to Kampala for the Sisi film lab training, but I didn’t have any relatives there. I got a bit worried and went to my teacher for advice. He told me to be careful and keep praying.
Not long after, Sanyu told me about a training that Sisi Film Collective was running in Mbale. She said she’d make sure I was part of it, and she kept her word. I joined, and I believe I’m the youngest student Sisi Film Lab Mbale has ever trained.
Since then, I’ve learned a lot, how to write for screen, how to direct, how to use a boom mic, how to handle a camera, and how to work on a professional film set. The experience has given me confidence. I came from performing poems in front of visitors to creating full stories. I’m truly grateful to Sanyu Sandra for seeing something in me and giving me a chance. With everything I’ve learned so far, I know this is just the beginning. And I’m ready to keep going.
Written by
Ekakwa Timothy aka Director SHISHA
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