CANNES, FRANCE — Ugandan historical docuseries Tuko Pamoja, produced by Nyati Motion Pictures, has received an Honourable Mention at the AFRICA USA International Film Festival’s Cannes edition, held alongside the 2026 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France.
The recognition was awarded for the segment “Uganda: The Making of a Nation”, which was screened and officially selected as part of the festival’s parallel Cannes programming running from May 12 -23, 2026, focused on African, North American, and diaspora cinema.
In an official email dated Wednesday, July 1, 2026, sent from AFRICA USA International Film Festival (Cannes FIFI Team 2026) via FilmFreeway, the organisers confirmed the Honourable Mention award to Nyati Motion Pictures.
The message read in part: “Hi Nyati, our goal is to encourage and empower filming, filmmakers relationships, collaborations and ultimately the knowledge to distribute. We are proud of our illustrious volunteer corps and judges, under Luis Bouillon Baker’s leadership, our Jury President and one of the sons of Josephine Baker. We congratulate you and hope you keep filming and feeling empowered to, without borders and united.”
The festival further directed the filmmakers to download their official laurels via a provided link, confirming the Honourable Mention status under its 2026 Cannes edition programming.
The communication emphasised the festival’s mission of promoting African storytelling, collaboration, and distribution opportunities, including potential catalog inclusion, IMDb-qualifying credits, and networking with distributors.
Context of the Cannes Edition Screening
The Africa USA International Film Festival operates as an independent platform showcasing African and diaspora films during the Cannes season. While not part of the official Cannes Film Festival selection, it hosts parallel screenings and industry events in Cannes focusing on inclusion and cultural exchange.
The 2026 Cannes edition featured a range of recognised works, including: Take Me To Fendika — Winner of Best Documentary; Ubuntu – The Baobab Tree Story — Featured/Screened documentary; 40 Days — Honourable Mention recipient; and Tuko Pamoja (Uganda: The Making of a Nation) — Honourable Mention recipient.
Expanding International Recognition for Tuko Pamoja
Tuko Pamoja continues to build its international footprint as a Ugandan historical docuseries exploring national identity, memory, and unity. The Cannes Honourable Mention adds to its growing recognition across African film circuits and diaspora-focused festivals.
The production is part of Nyati Motion Pictures’ slate of historically driven content aimed at amplifying African narratives on global platforms.
Director Dr. Cindy Magara described the recognition as a defining milestone for East African cinema: “Taking Tuko Pamoja to Cannes is a monumental milestone, not just for our team, but for East African cinema. Screening ‘Uganda: The Making of a Nation’ on a stage of this magnitude proves that our history possesses the cinematic weight and universal appeal to captivate the world. We are no longer just preserving our heritage; we are projecting it onto the global canvas.”
Writer Rogers Atukunda emphasised the significance of African storytelling reaching global audiences: “As a writer, your greatest hope is that a story deeply rooted in local soil will bear fruit that feeds a global audience. Watching our script come alive on a screen at Cannes has been an incredible validation of the years spent researching and shaping this narrative. It sends a powerful message to the next generation of African filmmakers and writers: our truth is compelling, our history is epic, and the world is eager to hear our voices.”
Major Wins & Recognitions
- Honourable Mention – AFRICA USA International Film Festival (Cannes Edition, 2026): Awarded to the standalone segment “Uganda: The Making of a Nation” during its official selection and screening alongside the parallel Cannes programming.
- Best Documentary (Foreign) – Africa – 5th Global Independent Film Festival of India (GIFFI, 2025): Won in Kolkata, India, for the project segment “Uganda: The Making of a Nation”.
- Best Documentary – Pearl International Film Festival (PIFF, 2025): Awarded specifically for the acclaimed Buganda Segment of the series.
Official Nominations
- Nominee: Best Documentary – Northern Uganda Film Awards (2026): The Luo Segment was officially nominated, highlighting the pre-colonial migration and cultural unity of Luo-speaking communities.
- Official Nominee – Uganda Film Festival (UFF, 2024): Early regional recognition for the 13-part historical series when it first premiered.
Following its recognition, Tuko Pamoja continues to expand its distribution footprint and is currently streaming online at stream.nyatimotionpictures.com.