The 2025 iKon Awards continue to shine a spotlight on outstanding talent in the film industry, celebrating the creativity and dedication of filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals.
Ahead of the grand ceremony, we reviewed the nominees, and they shared their thoughts on what the iKon Awards mean to them and how they contribute to the growth of the film industry.
Among the nominees is Ms Nana Kagga, who has been recognized in two categories: Best TV Actress for her role in Damalie and Best Actress in A Supporting Role in the feature film: Maria. Expressing her excitement, she said, “Being nominated for an iKon Award is an incredible honour. It is a validation of the hard work and passion that goes into creating impactful storytelling.”
Reflecting on a particularly challenging scene in Maria, she shared, “One scene that required extra preparation was when I had to portray a mother losing her son. A parent should never have to go through that, so imagining that someone had taken my child was unimaginable for me.”
Ethan Mwesigwa, 15, also the youngest nominees: Best Rising Star nominee, shared his excitement: “It feels so good because, for the first time, my hard work has been recognized. I am truly happy.”
Ms. Hellen Lukoma, nominated for Best Actress in A Tv Series for her role in the Beloved film, expressed her gratitude: “It feels good because it shows that my efforts are being recognized. It’s a beautiful feeling.” On her acting experience, she humorously added, “I don’t know how to act rich in real life, but I had to embody a wealthy character on screen.”
Mr. Muhmood Zamunyo, a nominee for Best Actor in Maria, shared what the nomination means to him: “Being nominated means I am among the best, and that means a lot to me.” He also highlighted his most memorable scene: “My best scene was playing a tough father. In real life, I was raised with strict authority, so in the movie, I didn’t want my on-screen child to talk back while I was speaking.”
Mr. Arthur Sewanyana, a Best Rising Star nominee for his role in Damalie, described the nomination as life-changing: “This nomination means everything to me because it is my first recognition.” He recalled his most intense scene: “My best scene was when my on-screen mother slapped me in Damalie. You have to stay focused in the movie, despite the slap!”
Arthur is also a TikTokers.
As excitement builds for the upcoming ceremony, the iKon Awards continue to play a crucial role in recognizing and elevating talent in the African film industry, inspiring the next generation of storytellers.
Recently, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) partnered with iKon Awards to promote the industry.
Where to See the Nominees
Want to see who made it to this year’s list? The full list of nominees across all 22 competitive categories is available on the Ikon Awards social media pages.
For more information about the Ikon Awards 2025 and its upcoming activities like the next Ikonversations, visit their official website https://theikon.org/awards/.
