Amakula Kampala shows films from all over the world that tell us things about the incredible diversity of this life. Everything we can see teaches us about the distinct qualities of the place in which it was made. But what would a genuine Uganda cinema be and what would it show? How are things taken from life and put on a screen and how do they translate back to the life each one of us lives? Is what is given to us from the screen the gift of possibilities?

We believe that film has become one of the most direct means of collecting images of shared reality and can express and construct a unique cultural voice. Film is the most communicative manner of spreading ideas, exchanging views and altering perceptions. The cinema is that unique zone in our times that offers the possibility to create new perspectives and broader understanding of the issues that are close to us. In our time the cultural voice is defined through the multifarious images it engenders and these images are brought to the world through cinema. This voice is an important source of pride and empowerment.

It remains a problem throughout much of Africa that many of the most distinguished talents go undistributed throughout the continent and often in their own countries. Today Ugandan audiences are more familiar with American Hollywood, Indian Bollywood, and now even closer to home Nigerian Nollywood than with the unique films made by the diverse range of working African filmmakers – and they are not alone in this. Amakula Kampala wants to promote the strength of African cinema. Dialogue is one of the best ways to maintain cultural vitality. This festival, by showcasing films that the local and regional public has no access to, can contribute to a broadened perspective on cinema, artistic excellence, critical thought and world culture. Digital technology is making it increasingly easier for this new accessibility as a result of flexible distribution and presentation. The intention to make a broad audience familiar with African film productions will we hope increasingly contribute to the development of a wide appreciation of African film and thus to the creation of an audience that demands to see these films. Meanwhile cheaper cameras and editing tools have made it possible for people to create their own work without recourse to elaborate production and funding. As a result cinema is evolving in countries that hitherto did not have a cinema. Making film and video is taking the power to create and communicate one’s own vision of the world, manifest a position and even affect a change. Perhaps Amakula can contribute the inspiration to let us ultimately see Uganda anew through the eyes of its people.

Amakula Kampala then means to serve as an inspiration. The festival aims to ignite a dialogue that might fuel a new cultural enterprise. Every cinema has been prompted by the example and inspiration of other cinemas. The festival will show films from countries around the world that have sought to create their own cinematic language in order to express a unique cultural identity. The word Amakula means "a precious gift" in Luganda, the native language of Kampala, and this is what this festival hopes to offer.