Stories
A black African man dressed in a gray polo shirt is wearing headphones as his hands are stretched towards a Zoom FX 8 recorder.

Spellbound: A filmmakers journey

My journey as a filmmaker began as a visual artist. I am not someone who likes to talk about myself, so this article will say a lot but also say little. The first time I realized that I was an artist was at the age of 4 or 5 when I was in pre-school and … Read more
ngalabi festival

The Big Screen Effect: How Ngalabi Stole My Heart

I just got back from the Ngalabi Short Film Festival, still reeling from the experience. Couldn’t make it for all 3 days, only made it for one, but it was a million wins. A day of discovery, inspiration and realization. The festival showcased an array of films, each unique in its story telling approach. One … Read more
Johnson keeping the boom cables in check.

A life in Focus: From war to Cinematography

From the ashes of war to the silver screen, my journey as a filmmaker has been a winding path of discovery and passion. Growing up in Gulu City, Northern Uganda, I never imagined that the childhood games I played in a refugee camp would lay the foundation for my future career. In the midst of … Read more
A Black African man dressed in blue is smiling while staring at something in his hands. besides him is a man smiling staring down too dressed on a black sweater with blue headphones.

Film journey to the Oscars.

In the heart of Northern Uganda, where the dusty streets of Gulu City whisper tales of resilience, my passion for filmmaking was born. I am commonly known as Doctar Raymond though my name is Ocakacon Raymond. It started when my father wrote a book, “MALAKWANG KA WAC KILIYO.” As a young boy I’d sit by … Read more
Two young African youths, a boy with dreads in a black jumper bending over showing something on a Tascam recorder to a girl with a wig dressed in a blue sweater while holding a Tascam.

Kobong to Kobongo: My Unconventional Path to Film.

My name is Charlie Kobong, but my national ID has a mind of its own – it calls me Kobongo, a curious consequence of registering in Buganda, where the local tradition of names ending in “O” left its mark on my identity. Though I hail from the East, my name took a slight detour central, … Read more
A Black African man dressed in white is bent staring at a phone standing on a tripod. He's head and shoulders are the only visible body parts in the camera. a body of a man standing in the background.

From Cartoons to Film

As I sit here, reflecting on my journey as an artist, I am transported back to the early days when my love for art first began. I was just a young boy in primary three, spending hours on end drawing cartoons like Super Strikers and Ben 10. Those simple sketches sparked a passion that would … Read more
Two Black African boys, one dressed in white holding a boom with a blimp on it, he is wearing headphones staring down at a Tascam recorder being held by the other boy wearing a blue jersey with orange strips.

From Motorcycle Dreams to Movie Magic

Buckle up, folks! My artistic adventure has been a wild ride, filled with twists, turns, and a whole lot of creativity. It all started when I was just six years old, gazing up at my uncle’s artistic talents with wide eyes and a heart full of wonder. He was a master of many mediums, and … Read more
Patricia and smoke using a phone to shoot during the student's short film exercises.

An actress turns filmmaker.

It all began at the beginning of the year 2024 when my uncle Motta asked if I was interested in joining the film industry. It was a big yes from me, of course I wanted to act! He hands me his phone to read through the Sisi Film Lab application form on a website. And … Read more
A black African woman with African natural hair twisted at the front is dressed in a red blouse is attentively listening to what ever is going on where she is.

The Film bus to Kampala

From Village to City: A Journey to Becoming a Filmmaker Growing up in a small village in Kabale, I never imagined I’d end up in Kampala, working in the film industry. But passion and determination can take you far. My love for film started with Nigerian movies and grew into a dream to become a filmmaker. After completing a film training program, I landed an internship in Kampala, and my journey began. With no experience in the city, I faced culture shock, wardrobe malfunctions, and getting lost in town. But I persevered, learned from my mistakes, and found mentors who guided me through the process. Today, I’m proud to say I’m a filmmaker with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Join me on this journey as I share my story of transformation from a village girl to a city filmmaker.
A group of people sitting together in a compound delighting in each other's presence while gathered around a bonfire to watch a movie in an outdoor film screen.

Outdoor Movie Night at Dilstories Film Studio.

I was beyond excited for the movie night at the Dilstories Film Studio, but the gloomy Saturday weather had other plans.  As I woke up to a dark and rainy morning, my enthusiasm waned. By afternoon I was supposed to be at the studio for the Sisi Film Collective meeting and later, the movie night. … Read more