Takeaways

• Ugandan filmmakers and creatives will travel to Johannesburg from October 14 to 19 for the iKON Activate Creative Exchange.
• The programme will feature an African Film Forum at MultiChoice City, networking sessions, film-set visits and other creative industry activities.
• The exchange is designed to create co-production opportunities and strengthen collaboration between Uganda and South Africa’s film industries.

A group of Ugandan filmmakers, creatives and film industry players will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa, from October 14 to 19, 2026, for the iKON Activate Creative Exchange.

The iKON Activate is a series of pan-African creative exchange programmes designed to promote dialogue, networking and co-production opportunities among creatives across the continent.

Following successful editions in Lagos, Nairobi and Kigali, the Johannesburg edition will be hosted by South African actor, producer and creative entrepreneur Thapelo Mokoena.

The event will celebrate the cultural ties between Uganda and South Africa while highlighting South Africa’s experience and influence in Africa’s film industry.

One of the key activities will be an African Film Forum at MultiChoice City under the theme “Africa Is Our Studio: From Collaboration to Commerce.” The forum will feature a keynote address from the Head of Content Strategy at MultiChoice Group.

The panel will bring together filmmakers, producers and industry leaders from Uganda and South Africa, including Mathew Nabwiso, actor, producer, director and President of the National Producers’ Guild of Uganda; Thapelo Mokoena; Mayenzeke Baza, Head of Distribution & Financing at AAA Entertainment; Nwabisa Binase, Head of MultiChoice Talent Factory at Canal+; Driki van Zyl, Business Lead, Content and Partnerships at Blue Pictures South Africa; and Ernest Nkosi, Filmmaker and Creative Director at First Wednesdays Film Club.

The forum will be followed by the iKON Filmmakers’ Soiree, a social gathering where filmmakers, creatives and other industry players will network, connect and celebrate.

Participants will also tour MultiChoice City, explore Johannesburg and visit active film sets, giving them an opportunity to interact with South African filmmakers and learn more about the country’s film production industry.

The iKON Awards are an initiative of Reach A Hand Africa, formerly Reach A Hand Uganda, and Sauti Plus, a communications, creative and audiovisual production agency. The initiative seeks to celebrate innovation and excellence in Uganda’s film and television industry.

The fourth edition of the iKON Awards will take place in Kampala on December 12, 2026, under the theme “Beyond Borders.” The event aims to spotlight exceptional talent from across Africa and strengthen African cinema through cross-border collaboration.

Humphrey Nabimanya, Founder and CEO of Reach A Hand Africa and the iKON Awards, said the Johannesburg exchange will give Ugandan creatives an opportunity to learn from South Africa’s established film ecosystem and build relationships that could lead to future collaborations.

“We are very excited to bring the iKON Activate to Johannesburg because of the rich history and experience that South Africa has in the film ecosystem,” Nabimanya said.

He added that the programme aims to help young Africans develop their skills, build sustainable careers in film and create opportunities for co-productions.

Mokoena also highlighted the potential of Uganda’s creative industry following his visit to Kampala earlier this year.

“Having spent some time in Kampala earlier this year, I witnessed firsthand just how strong the energy of Uganda’s film industry is,” he said.

Mokoena said the goal is to use South Africa’s experience and networks to help Uganda’s creative sector grow into a stronger regional and continental film industry while creating sustainable career opportunities for young filmmakers.

Beyond the annual awards, the iKON programme focuses on promoting film as a sustainable career path for African youth.

Over the past three editions, the programme has awarded 75 winners and trained 75 young filmmakers, who have gone on to produce 22 short films and four feature films.