Veronica’s Wish is a Ugandan English-language drama film starring Nisha Kalema (Veronica), Housen Mushema (Michael), Malaika Nyanzi (Bankia), Symon Base Kalema (Frank), Tereza Kabasekyere (Grandma), Kabenge Richard Valentino (Dance Instructor), Jayant Maru and Allen Musumba. It premiered in Uganda on 17 November 2018.[1][2][3][4]
| Veronica’s Wish | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Rehema Nanfuka |
| Written by | Nisha Kalema |
| Produced by | Nisha Kalema |
| Starring |
|
Production companies | Jangu Productions
|
| Distributed by | Jangu Productions |
Release date |
|
| Country | Uganda |
| Language | English |
The film was screened at major film festivals around the world including Silicon Valley African Film Festival, Uganda Film Festival and Mashariki African Film Festival and even won nominations and awards at the latter two.[5]
Plot
editMichael and Veronica, a couple in love and engaged to marry are faced with challenges as Veronica gets hit by a mysterious illness a few days before their wedding.[6]
Production and casting
editWhen Nisha Kalema created Veronica’s Wish, she first cast Rehema Nanfuka as the lead actress to play Veronica. But when Rehema read the script, she turned down the offer and proposed the role be played by Nisha Kalema herself and instead offered to direct the movie.[7] During her speech at the movie premier, Nisha revealed that she hadn’t thought of casting Housen Mushema as Michael. Malaika Nnyanzi was cast as Bankia, Veronica’s best friend and Frank’s (Symon Base Kalema) girlfriend. In reality, Malaika and Symon Base Kalema are siblings which led to the cutting of their on-camera romance from the script.
Nominations and awards
editIn the first week of its screening, the film received 11 nominations at the Uganda Film Festival 2018[8] and later won 9 awards becoming the biggest winner.[9][10]
| Awards & Nominations | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Award | Category | Received by | Result | Ref |
| 2019 | ZAFAA Global Awards | Best Picture Editor | Nisha Kalema | Nominated | [11] |
| Best Producer | Nominated | ||||
| Best Lead Actor Female | Nominated | ||||
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||||
| Best Supporting Actor Female | Malaika Nnyanzi | Nominated | |||
| Best Lead Actor Male | Housen Mushema | Nominated | |||
| Best Director | Rehema Nanfuka | Nominated | |||
| Sinema Zetu International Film Festival | Best Feature Film | Won | [12] | ||
| Best Actress | Nisha Kalema | Won | |||
| Best Director | Rehema Nanfuka | Won | |||
| Silcon Valley African Film Festival | Best Feature Narrative | Won | |||
| Pan African Film Festival, California | Jury Honorable Mention | Won | |||
| Gulu International Film Festival | Best Feature Film | Nominated | |||
| 7th Coast Film Festival | Best Director | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Nominated | ||||
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||||
| Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Achievement In Make-Up | Joan Nantege | Nominated | [13] | |
| Mashariki African Film Festival | Best East-African feature | Nominated | [14] | ||
| 2018 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Feature Film | Won | [15][16][17] | |
| Best Director | Rehema Nanfuka | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Nisha Kalema | Won | |||
| Best Actor (Film) | Housen Mushema | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Symon Base Kalema | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Malaika Nnyanzi | Nominated | |||
| Best Costume & Production Design | Won | ||||
| Best Sound | Won | ||||
| Best Editing & Post Production | Won | ||||
| Best Cinematography | Won | ||||
| Best Script (Screen Play) | Won | ||||
References
edit- ^ ""Veronicas wish" new Ugandan Movie to be premiered this way". Ghafla. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ Oluka, Esther. "Glammed up at Veronica's Wish movie premiere". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ "IN PICTURES: Veronica's Wish lives up to expectations". Sqoop. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ "[Watch]: Official Trailer of 'Veronica's Wish' Starring Housen Mushema, Nisha Kalema, Malaika Nnyanzi and More". Satisfashion Ug. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ "Narrative - Feature Selections: Veronica's Wish". Svaff. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- ^ Nila, Yasmin. "New Ugandan Film 'Veronica's Wish' Premiers Next Month". Chimpreports. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ Kaggwa, Andrew. "Nisha Kalema: A footballer that fell in love with stories". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ "All set for Uganda film awards". The East African. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ "Veronica's Wish sweeps the Uganda Film Festival Awards: Here's the full list of winners". Big Eye. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ "Veronica's Wish Sweeps All Major Awards At Uganda Film Festival". The Insider. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ "Full Nomination List of Zafaa Global Awards Abuja 2019". Zafaa. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
- ^ ""I Gave My All While Working On This Film", -Rehema Nanfuka Nominated In Tanzania Film Festival". Glim Ug. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
- ^ Nseyen, Nsikak. "AMAA releases nominees for 2019 awards [FULL LIST]". Daily Post, Nigeria. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- ^ "MAAFF Official selection 2019". Maaff. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
- ^ Ampurire, Paul. "FULL LIST: New Drama 'Veronica's Wish' Scoops Major Accolades at Film Festival Awards". Soft Power. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ Ruva, Roy. "Veronica's Wish Sweeps All Major Awards At Uganda Film Festival 2018". Chano8. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ "Official Nominations List for 2018 Uganda Film Festival". Sqoop. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
