pressug.com News 24 7
Related Articles
The Pearlwood Film Awards 2026 have officially been launched, with organisers and the Ministry of Education and Sports calling on secondary schools across Uganda to participate in an initiative aimed at promoting creativity, cultural values and youth storytelling through film.
The awards were launched on Tuesday at the National Theatre in Kampala, where education officials described storytelling as a powerful tool for learning and character development.
Speaking at the launch, Ms Frances Atima, Acting Director of the Directorate of Education Standards at the Ministry of Education and Sports, said schools play a broader role than academic instruction and should help nurture creative, disciplined and socially responsible learners.
“Schools are not just institutions of learning; they are spaces where identity is shaped, values are instilled, and potential is unlocked,” Ms Atima said.
She noted that many schools have over the years produced strong content through drama, music and film, but much of it has remained unseen beyond school compounds.
“At the same time, our young people are increasingly exposed to content that does not reflect the values we teach. It is therefore not enough to react to these challenges; we must take deliberate, preventive action,” she said.
Ms Atima said the Pearlwood Film Awards present an opportunity to use storytelling as an educational tool while equipping learners with skills such as creativity, teamwork, communication and critical thinking, in line with Uganda’s competency-based curriculum reforms.
She urged head teachers to embrace the programme as part of co-curricular learning and encourage students to tell stories that reflect their communities and values.
During the event, the Ministry also unveiled the 2027 schools theme, “High School Musical: Re-imagining Our Core Values,” saying the early announcement would allow schools enough time to prepare thoughtful productions.
The awards are being organised by Pearlwood, the Association of Core Film Producers Uganda Limited, the umbrella body representing Uganda’s film market.
Speaking at the launch, Jacqueline Kobusingye, Managing Director of the Awards Committee, said the initiative is designed to create a structured platform where young Ugandans can showcase talent while gaining access to the wider creative industry.
“We believe Uganda has a generation of young storytellers whose voices deserve to be seen and heard beyond the classroom. These awards are about giving them visibility, opportunity and a pathway into the professional film industry,” Ms Kobusingye said.
She added that the long-term goal is to strengthen Uganda’s creative economy by building talent pipelines early and encouraging schools to embrace storytelling as both an art form and a life skill.
In a statement, the Awards Committee said the initiative builds on Pearlwood’s long-term mission to structure and grow Uganda’s film industry while positioning it within the regional and global creative economy.
Under the 2026 theme, “The Rising Pearl: Igniting the Next Generation of African Storytellers,” the awards place deliberate focus on young creators, particularly secondary school students.
Organisers said the programme is intended to identify emerging talent and connect young storytellers to the professional film industry.
Submissions are now officially open to all secondary schools and producers of high school films across the country, with the deadline set for May 31, 2026. Entries received after that date will be considered for the 2027 awards cycle.
Films will be evaluated based on viewer engagement and market performance through approved channels, including streaming on Stream East Films and box office performance during screenings and premieres.
The Awards Committee also announced early participation from Bethany High School (Naalya), Nyakasura School (Fort Portal) and St Peter’s Secondary School (Bukedea).
Partners supporting the initiative include the Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda National Cultural Centre, Stream East Films, Uganda Federation of Movie Industry and CineMat Publishers.
Organisers said the Pearlwood Film Awards are expected to attract participants from across Eastern Africa through screenings, industry symposiums, digital engagement and networking events.
They added that the broader goal is to build a sustainable pipeline of talent, strengthen the creative economy and inspire young Ugandans to tell their own stories with confidence and purpose.
Post Views: 5
, https://thecapitaltimes.co.ug/pearlwood-2026-seeks-to-ignite-next-generation-of-ugandan-storytellers/
