Mediavision Academy Witnesses the Launch of Stream East: A New Era for Filmmakers in East Africa

Kampala, Uganda – July 10, 2025 – Today marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the film industry in Uganda with the launch of Stream East, a groundbreaking streaming platform designed to empower filmmakers across East Africa. The platform was inaugurated by Aggrey David Kibenge, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), during a ceremony held at Esella Country Hotel in Kira.

Stream East aims to provide filmmakers in the region with unprecedented access to global audiences, facilitating the distribution of their films with ease. In a speech delivered by Ms. Naumo Juliana Akoryo, Commissioner for Culture & Family Affairs, Kibenge emphasized government’s commitment to strenghening the film sector, particularly in the area of distribution. “In 2025/2026, the Culture and Creative Industry is one of the priority areas in the National Development Plan IV, alongside Science, Technology, and Innovation. The Plan has outlined interventions to promote culture and the creative industry,” Kibenge stated. He also revealed that the government has reviewed the Culture Policy and amended the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, which is currently before Parliament, to enhance the enforcement of cultural and creative industries in the country.

Among the distinguished guests at this historic event was Nkambo Robert, founder and director of Mediavision Academy, a prominent film school in Uganda. Nkambo praised the timely relevance of Stream East, highlighting its potential to inspire film students in the region. “The students will study hard knowing that their careers are secured due to available demand of local films on the market. Most streaming platforms such as Netflix, have restrictions that discourage many of them which frustrates youths,” he remarked.

According to Mzee Bwanika, Secretary General of Pearlwood, the platform is owned collectively by film producers through their associations, which require membership for film submissions. Pearlwood, representing 60 producers with over 400 titles, has joined the initiative. “The door is open to all. I call upon other producers’ associations to join. You cannot succeed on your own,” Bwanika urged. Other regional associations participating in Stream East include the Kenya Film and Television Professional Association (KFTPA), the National Association of Media Arts from Zambia, the Film Producers’ Guild of Malawi, the Tanzanian Film Federation, and the Film Producers’ Guild of Zanzibar.

The launch of Stream East comes at a time when Uganda has recently witnessed the emergence of two other streaming platforms: Ganda Films, owned by Matt Bish, and Sauti Plus TV, operated by Reach a Hand Uganda. Stream East is a product of a UNESCO-funded project titled “Revitalising the Film Industry for Livelihood Enhancement,” which falls under the International Fund for Cultural Diversity. This initiative, which commenced in 2024, aims to strengthen the film industry across East Africa and is being implemented by the MGLSD.

In an interview, Dr. Rosie Agoi, Secretary General of the Uganda National Commission (UNATCOM) for UNESCO, noted that the film industry has long been a neglected sector in East Africa, particularly in Uganda. It faces numerous challenges, including piracy, lack of market access, limited funding, poor distribution channels, and insufficient marketing and promotional activities. The project seeks to address these issues and maximize benefits for filmmakers.

At the same event, an East African filmmakers’ pact was signed by six out of the eight participating heads of film associations, including representatives from Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zanzibar. This pact aims to strengthen regional integration for film market growth, mobilization, and promotion, laying a new foundation for collaboration in film marketing.

The launch coincided with the East African Filmmakers Summit 2025, which took place at the same venue from July 8 to July 10. The summit attracted 42 delegates from eight East African countries, including Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Malawi. It provided a platform for filmmakers to exchange expertise and discuss collaborative efforts to shape the future of film in the region.

Notable attendees at the summit included Ms. Judy Ogana, National Programme Officer for Culture at UNESCO Nairobi Regional Office,  Mathew Nabwiso president of the newly formed Producers’ Guild, and Hajat Hajara Nalubega is a Senior Culture Officer at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in Uganda..

While Stream East offers renewed hope for filmmakers, it also raises questions due to the previous collapse of earlier online streaming initiatives led by Mzee Bwanika. In 2020, Bwanika spearheaded a partnership with YoTV and MTN to launch Kibanda Express, a local content online TV platform. The following year, he led filmmakers to Afro Mobile TV, an app providing access to various TV channels and radio stations, with a focus on African content. Bwanika attributes the failure of these earlier initiatives to a misalignment of values between the platform owners and producers. “Some of them, for example, were streaming pirated movies that outcompeted local content. Stream East is different because it is owned by filmmakers themselves, who share common goals and values,” he explained.

As the film industry in Uganda embarks on this new chapter with the launch of Stream East, the collective hope is that it will pave the way for a more vibrant and sustainable future for filmmakers in the region.

Written by Nkambo Robert, Mediavision Academy – Photos by FicPhotos