A quiet story from the hills of Western Uganda is now making major waves in African cinema. The film ‘Small Gods’ has stunned the continent by securing multiple nominations at the 20th African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress.
For a film that began as a deeply personal story in Kisoro, this is a moment of unprecedented recognition and pride for Uganda’s budding film industry.
“This film is about people often overlooked, told with honesty and authenticity,” says director Asher Rosen, who splits his time between London, UK, and Kisoro, Uganda.
From Kisoro Hills to the African Oscars
‘Small Gods’ started as a short film titled ‘NYAMA’, which explored the lives of the Batwa community — an indigenous group in Western Uganda displaced from their ancestral forest lands. The feature film expands on these stories, focusing on Florenz, a single mother, and Bizimana, a talented street performer, who navigate life entertaining tourists.
When Bizimana demands fair pay, both he and Florenz are pushed out of the troupe that sustains their fragile livelihood — setting the stage for a story about resilience, dignity, and survival.
What makes the film stand out is the raw, authentic performances. Lead actors Florenz Mariserena, Bizimana Hussain, and Turinayo Jatham bring versions of their own lives to the screen, creating a deeply human narrative far removed from glitzy studio productions. Their authenticity earned them Best Actor and Best Actress nominations at AMAA — a rare feat for a local, non-celebrity cast.
A Production Rooted in Uganda
Produced by Sovereign Films and Scala Productions, the movie was entirely filmed on location in Uganda, highlighting the natural beauty of Kisoro while remaining grounded in the realities of the Batwa community.
“There are no big studio sets or celebrity cameos — just people, life, and honesty,” Rosen says.
This commitment to authenticity resonates across audiences and judges alike, giving Ugandan cinema a chance to shine on a continental stage.
Major AMAA Nominations for ‘Small Gods’
‘Small Gods’ is up for several prestigious AMAA categories, including:
- Best Film in an African Language
- Best Debut Feature Film by a Director
- Best Director
- Best Film
- Best Promising/Young Actor
- Best Actress in a Leading Role
- Best Actor in a Leading Role
These nominations mark a milestone not just for the film but for Uganda’s evolving film industry, signaling that stories rooted in local culture and told with authenticity can compete with the continent’s best productions.
Uganda on the Rise in African Cinema
Alongside ‘Small Gods’, two Ugandan animated films have also been nominated, showcasing the country’s growing diversity in film storytelling. From live-action dramas to animated adventures, Uganda is proving it has talent, vision, and stories worth sharing.
“This isn’t just about one film,” says a local industry insider. “It’s about Uganda stepping onto the continental stage with confidence and authenticity.”
The nominations also highlight the incredible collaboration between local communities and filmmakers, ensuring that stories like those of the Batwa are told with respect, depth, and heart.
A Moment to Celebrate
Congratulations are in order for Asher Rosen, assistant director Ezra Mugisha, the Batwa cast, and everyone who brought ‘Small Gods’ to life. This isn’t just recognition for a single project — it’s a celebration of Uganda as a serious filmmaking nation.
As the African Movie Academy Awards approach, all eyes will be on this quiet but powerful Ugandan story, proving that authenticity, courage, and cultural storytelling can compete on the biggest stages.
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