The Queer Kampala International Film Festival is the first and only LGBTIQ film festival in Uganda. It offers a platform to promote the rights of LGBTIQ persons through Film Advocacy. QKIFF illuminates the diversity of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer communities by providing spaces where queer films and stories are screened, discussed and celebrated. Its goals include pushing for legal reforms through expanding the network of LGBTIQ advocates, supporters and activists who can lobby the relevant authorities and stakeholders particularly politicians. QKIFF will prevent the discrimination of the LGBTIQ community through creating awareness to the general populace about the LGBTIQ community, which is done with an aim of changing perceptions and attitudes of the general populace thus reducing stigma and discrimination against the LGBTIQ community; and promoting production of quality LGBTIQ films by providing spaces where their films can be exhibited as well recognizing and awarding the brave filmmakers who daring enough to tell the suppressed LGBTIQ stories. The festival brings together filmmakers, researchers, activists, academics, lawyers, journalists and LGBTIQ persons from around the world.
The inaugural Queer Kampala International Film Festival was held 9th – 11th, December 2016 at different venues in the country’s capital Kampala. Security measures included screening of attendees, keeping the venues secret and mobile daily. The attendants had to go to a different venue in the morning and afternoon. Venues were announced within hours to the event. Encouragingly, the LGBTIQ community, supporters and sympathizers hung in there and religiously followed us to the different venues attracting a turn up of more than 800 visitors with in a space of three days.
On 8th December 2017, the first day of the 2nd edition of the QKIFF opened in Kampala and It was a huge success, the festival sold out.
It was however raided by the police on the second day 9th December 2017 after a tip off. The Festival was later completed on 28th and 29th December 2017 but held in private spaces and with only trusted persons invited.
To learner about QueerKIFF see the Past Media Coverage links below.
Vice News
Ruby Pratka
November 12, 2016
A conversation with the risk-taking organizer of the first queer film festival in Uganda.
https://news.vice.com/en_ca/article/ev5gaw/a-queer-film-festival-comes-to-uganda-where-homosexuality-is-illegal
Huffington Post
James Michael Nichols
HuffPost Queer Voices Deputy Editor
July 20, 2016
A Queer Film Festival Is Headed To One Of The Most Anti-Queer Countries
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/uganda-queer-film-festival_us_578fb993e4b0f180da6414a2
Uganda Christian News
December 15, 2016
Bishop who says being gay is not a sin returns to defend Kampala’s 1st LGBTQ film festival
http://ugchristiannews.com/bishop-who-says-being-gay-is-not-a-sin-returns-to-defend-kampalas-1st-lgbtq-film-festival/
Human Rights Watch
December 15, 2017 8:36AM EST
Uganda: Police Raid Queer Kampala Film Festival
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/12/15/uganda-police-raid-queer-kampala-film-festival
Mamba Online
January 2, 2018
Uganda’s defiant LGBTIQ film festival completes screenings.
http://www.mambaonline.com/2018/01/02/ugandas-defiant-lgbtiq-film-festival-completes-screenings-secret/
Uganda's LGBTI film festival defiantly returns after police raid
https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/ugandas-lgbti-film-festival-defiantly-returns-after-police-raid/#gs.QotVI0A
10 Countries Where Art Was Censored in 2017
https://hyperallergic.com/419184/art-censorship-2017/
Jury Awards:
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Ugandan Film
Best East African Film
Best Foreign Film
Audience Choice Awards:
Best LGBTQ Themed film of the Year