Uganda’s TEMBELE film, directed by Moriss Herbert Mugisha is only waiting for approval and be listed in the Oscars Awards, to compete in the 2023 prestigious Oscars Awards in the category of the International Best Feature Film.
TEMBELE made it to the final, after beating its two counterparts including; NALWAWO directed by Emokor Eric, and NOVEMBER TEAR directed by Nondo Richard, in the pre,-entries that were organized by the Uganda Academy Selection Committee (UASC).
UASC Chairperson Godfrey Musinguzi said in a statement that they on August 10, invited Ugandan filmmakers to submit their qualifying feature films for consideration for the Best International Feature Film award at the forthcoming 95th edition of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards, known as the Academy Awards or simply the Oscars.
“The submission call closed on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, after receiving three film submissions; NALWAWO directed by Emokor Eric, NOVEMBER TEAR directed by Nondo Richard, and TEMBELE directed by Moriss Herbert Mugisha.
“After an intense judging process and evaluation, the UASC has today pre-selected TEMBELE by director Moriss Herbert Mugisha as Uganda’s official entry for the 2023 Oscar awards in the category of Best International Film,” he said in a statement.
He noted that the pre-selection is only provisional pending the film’s fulfillment of all Academy eligibility criteria ahead of October 03, 2022, the Oscar submission deadline for all country entries.
“Upon fulfillment of all eligibility criteria, Tembele will mark the very first time Uganda is officially submitting an entry to the prestigious awards since the launch of UASC in July 2019,” he said
“The film zooms into the very soul of a man working the garbage truck in the city as he battles with a mental setback after losing a son,”
Why TEMBELE
According to Musinguzi, TEMBELE made it to the final list because of the film’s human story and authenticity.
This he said makes it a unique piece of home-grown art worthy of celebrating on the global platform that is the Oscars.
“We, therefore, implore all relevant government agencies, cultural entities, the media, and every Ugandan to support the film to meet all its outstanding requirements, including showing at the cinema for at least seven consecutive days, before the October 03 deadline,” he said.
