Veronica's Wish
2018 Ugandan film
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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]
- Nisha Kalema
- Housen Mushema
- Malaika Nyanzi
- Symon Base Kalema
- Jayant Maru
- Allen Musumba
| 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
Michael 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
When 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
In 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 | ||||