Nsimbi’s Infinity wins Uganda Film Festival

Ernest Nsimbi and Miriam Tamar’s musical film “Infinity” won Best Local Short Film at the 2026 Uganda Film Festival, according to festival coverage and multiple published winners lists. The award was announced as part of the 13th Uganda Film Festival in Kampala, where the Uganda Communications Commission, or UCC, said 299 local films were submitted for the 2025/26 cycle. UCC’s own post on the festival highlighted top overall winners such as “Adui,” “Small Gods” and “Damalie,” while outside coverage and winners lists separately identified “Infinity” as the short-film winner. The film was made by the Ugandan creative duo Nsimbi — rapper Ernest “GNL Zamba” Nsimbi and singer Miriam Tamar — rather than by a Kenyan production team. Published profiles of the project describe “Infinity” as a Ugandan musical film that combines music, fashion, poetry, dance and cultural storytelling, with a story centered on a young boy’s journey toward healing and reconnection with community and nature. (sqoop.co.ug) ### Who made “Infinity,” and what kind of film is it? Monitor identified Nsimbi as a duo made up of GNL Zamba and Miriam Tamar, and said “Infinity” was written and executive-produced by Ernest “GNL Zamba” and Miriam Nsimbi. The same report said the film was directed by Matege Rogers, with cinematography by Gashumba, wardrobe by fashion designer Abaas Kaijuka, choreography by Nabagala Lilian, and sound and set design contributions from Andrew Ahuura “Quad A” and ABM. (pulse.ug) The film’s makers described “Infinity” as rooted in Uganda’s landscapes, traditions, fashion and music. In comments quoted by Monitor, the duo said the production was designed to place “Ugandan creativity at the centre of the story,” presenting the country through its own artists’ perspective. ### What exactly did it win at the festival? (monitor.co.ug) Published winners lists from Ugandan outlets said “Infinity” won Best Local Short Film, though some lists shortened the category to Best Short Film. Sqoop reported that the film beat a field that included “Mfuko,” while Pulse of Africa also identified the award as Best Local Short Film at the 2026 Uganda Film Festival Awards. (monitor.co.ug) UCC’s September 1 recap did not name every category winner in the text available online, but it said the 13th festival concluded on August 29 in Kampala after a week-long program under the theme “Transformation: The Power of Local Stories.” The regulator said the festival combined screenings, training and industry events before the gala night. ### Why are music and fashion central to the coverage? Monitor’s pre-awards profile said “Infinity” brings together music, film, fashion, poetry, dance and cultural storytelling in a “visually rich musical production” rooted in Uganda. (sqoop.co.ug) That description matches later coverage from entertainment outlets, which presented the film’s blend of music-led storytelling and fashion styling as a defining part of its identity. (ucc.co.ug) Watchdog Uganda said the film follows a boy guided by a shaman and his younger sister, and framed the project as part of the duo’s effort to put Ugandan culture on screen. Pulse Uganda likewise said the pair wrote and executive-produced the film to introduce Uganda’s creative work to wider audiences. ### How big was this year’s Uganda Film Festival? (monitor.co.ug) UCC said 299 local film submissions were entered for the 2025/26 cycle, and more than 50 Ugandan films were screened in the run-up to the awards gala. The regulator said the festival also included training in casting, directing, screenwriting, funding and distribution. The August 29 gala also honored Andrew Benon Kibuuka with a Lifetime Achievement Award, while MultiChoice Uganda was named Festival Champion, according to UCC. (watchdoguganda.com) Other major winners included “You May Kiss the Bride Goodbye” for Best Feature Film and Drake Makanga for Best Director. ### What comes next for the film? Monitor reported before the awards that “Infinity” had already screened at the American Center Kampala, the German Cultural Centre and Alliance Française, and had traveled to festivals and venues in Massachusetts, Los Angeles, Harlem, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Miami, San Diego, Albuquerque and Richmond. (ucc.co.ug) Those screenings indicate the film’s next steps are likely to remain on the festival and exhibition circuit, though no new dates were listed in the sources reviewed. (monitor.co.ug)