• iKON Awards received 300 film submissions from Uganda and international filmmakers.
• Entries came from multiple continents, aligning with the 2026 theme “Beyond Borders.”
• The awards ceremony is set for August 15, 2026, in Kampala, attracting global industry players.

Uganda’s premier film awards ceremony, the iKON Awards, has officially closed submissions for its 4th edition, registering a remarkable surge in international entries from across Africa and beyond.

A total of 300 films—both local and international productions—have been submitted for consideration, highlighting the growing global interest in the awards.

This year’s international entries span a diverse range of countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Tunisia, Kenya, Egypt, Zambia, Tanzania, Sudan, Senegal, Namibia, Morocco, Malawi, South Korea, Brazil, Colombia, France, Argentina, Georgia, Sweden, Greece, India, Mexico, Malaysia, and the United States.

The significant increase in global participation reflects the theme of this year’s edition, “Beyond Borders,” which aims to foster collaboration between Ugandan filmmakers and their international counterparts while strengthening the local film industry.

To date, the iKON Awards have hosted four iKON Activate initiatives across Africa—in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda—with expansions to South Africa and the United Kingdom currently in the pipeline. These initiatives are designed to promote skills development and cross-border collaboration within the film industry.

The inaugural iKON Activate event in Nigeria resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding that will see veteran Ugandan actor Michael Wawuyo Sr. feature in the upcoming Nigerian drama Dambe. Additionally, iKON launched a Uganda–Kenya co-production under the O3plus project, supported by Reach A Hand Uganda, Imara TV, and UNESCO.

iKON Activate events serve as build-up platforms leading to the main awards ceremony. Filmmakers from across the continent are expected to attend the 4th iKON Awards on August 15, 2026, at the Serena Hotel in Kampala.

About the iKON Awards

The iKON Awards is an annual celebration of film and television excellence in Uganda, recognising outstanding creativity, innovation, and contribution to the country’s growing creative industry. The awards aim to elevate Ugandan storytelling on both local and international stages.

For more information, visit: https://theikon.org/awards/