iKON Activate sets the motion for the Awards season, and further
drums up the iKON Awards Night. The iKON Awards, 2026, is running under the
theme: “Beyond Borders”, essentially to spotlight filmmaking talent and
strengthen the creative industry through collaborations across the continent.
The event convened Rwandan filmmakers such as Malaika
Uwamahoro (Rwandan award winning artist and actress), Mucyo Jackson (Founder of
RIMA and Ishusho Arts Organization), Fleury Legend (Filmmaker & Founder ABA
TV) among others.
Commenting on the initiative, Fleury Legend applauded the move,
describing it as a timely step toward deepening regional collaboration and
added that he is looking forward to building strong partnerships that will grow
the creative industry.
Another actor, Julius Bob Musoni, a rising Rwandan talent, shared
that he has long yearned for an opportunity to elevate his career—and the iKON
Awards provides exactly that. “
As newcomers in the industry, film is still not widely
recognized as a career. We need to learn from those who paved the way before
us, especially through networking,” he said.
Humphrey Nabimanya, Founder and CEO, iKON Awards explained
the iKON Actitivate in Kigali: "Kigali is one of those emerging film hubs
within East Africa with strong African stories to tell. And with its good
infrastructure and diverse film locations, there is potential to leverage the
growth of the industry”.
“At the Kwetu Film Institute, we have spent two decades using
film as a tool for
The previous iKON Activate events have significantly advanced
the iKON Awards’ mission of fostering pan‑African collaboration and elevating
creative storytelling across the continent.
The inaugural Activate in Nigeria convened leading Nigerian
and Ugandan filmmakers, industry associations, and partners — including Uche
Agbo (President, DGN), Patrick Lee (Viva Cinemas Nigeria), FDAN leadership, and
actor-director Ramsey Nouah.
This powerhouse gathering set the stage for cross-industry
cooperation.
Building on this momentum, iKON has launched a new Uganda–Kenya
co‑production under the O3plus project, supported by Reach A Hand Uganda, Imara
TV, and UNESCO.
The production will address pressing youth‑related issues
such as gender‑based violence, teenage pregnancies, and transactional sex. The
movie reinforces iKON’s vision of using film to amplify African stories.
The iKON Awards is an annual Ugandan Film and Television
celebration of creativity, excellence, and innovation in Uganda’s film and
creative sector. These awards aim to honour and recognise exceptional talent,
projects, and contributions that elevate the creative
The iKON Awards held the iKON Activate in Kigali, Rwanda, at
Kigali Paramount Hotel
On their fourth edition of the activation series that has
been taking place across Africa , iKON Awards set to host iKON Activate in
Kigali