A groundbreaking moment for the Eastern Africa film industry unfolded on Thursday at Esella Country Hotel, Najjera, as cultural leaders, filmmakers, and policymakers from across the region gathered for the launch of Stream East—a homegrown digital streaming platform designed to transform the distribution and promotion of regional film content.

The launch crowned a four-day Eastern Africa Filmmakers Summit under the UNESCO-supported Revitalizing the Film Industry for Livelihood Enhancement (REFILE) project, funded by the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD).

Uganda is one of eight participating countries—alongside Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, and Zanzibar—working together to boost livelihoods by building a stronger, more connected, and better-distributed film sector.

Organized by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in partnership with Pearlwood, Uganda’s umbrella organization for filmmakers, the summit attracted top-level delegates including representatives from UNESCO’s Regional Office in Nairobi, the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO (UNATCOM), the Uganda Registration Services Bureau, collecting societies, and film federation leaders from across the region.

Commissioner Juliana Naumo Akoryo, speaking on behalf of Permanent Secretary Aggrey Kibenge, described the gathering as “a convergence of minds and experiences that will shape the future of the film industry in Eastern Africa.”

A Landmark Pact for Regional Unity

One of the summit’s major outcomes was the signing of the Eastern Africa Filmmakers’ Pact, a landmark agreement that sets a shared vision for collaboration in content creation, intellectual property protection, market access, and joint revenue models.

“This Pact is more than a document—it is a declaration of unity, vision, and mutual empowerment,” said Commissioner Akoryo.

The signing also marked the formation of a Regional Filmmakers’ Union, with an Interim Council to coordinate activities over the first three months. The leadership includes:

Secretary General – Salma Salim Adim (Zanzibar)

Vice Secretary General – Dusabimana Apollos (Rwanda)

Secretary of the Council – Bridget T. Chibwe (Zambia)

In her address as Interim Secretary General, Salma emphasized the symbolic weight of the moment:

“This Pact is a movement. A promise to collaborate across borders, protect our rights, and amplify the cultural voices that define our region. It is not owned by any single country, but driven by our united resolve.”

Stream East: A Digital Home for Eastern Africa Cinema

The Stream East platform—developed under the $100,000 REFILE project—offers a new lifeline to regional filmmakers by providing direct access to global audiences while enabling creators to monetize their work.

Commissioner Akoryo described it as “a vital space for showcasing our stories, connecting creators to new audiences, and creating new income streams for film professionals.”

Mzee Julius Bwanika, Secretary General of Pearlwood, stressed that the platform is fully run by producers’ associations and open to all legitimate filmmaker groups in the region. “This is about empowerment from within,” he said.

Salma echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the platform addresses longstanding challenges in distribution and marketing. “We’ve all struggled to sell and market our films. Stream East is a breakthrough—it opens regional access and allows films to be streamed at affordable rates while celebrating our diversity,” she said.

Importantly, she clarified that Stream East is not in competition with global giants like Netflix. “Instead, it complements the digital landscape by offering something culturally authentic and locally managed,” she noted.

Signatories to the Pact

The dignitaries who signed the Eastern Africa Filmmakers’ Pact represent the leading film bodies from each participating country:

Uganda – Pearlwood: Namatovu Aisha (President), Julius Bwanika (General Secretary)

Tanzania – TAFF: Rajabu Amiry Abdallah (President), Fadhili Francis Mfate (Secretary General)

Rwanda – Rwanda Film Federation: Mugisha James (President), Dusabimana Apollos (Secretary General)

Zambia – National Association of Media Arts: Bridget T. Chibwe (President), Wilo Paul Shamulanga (Producer)

Kenya – KFTPA: Onyango Ezekiel (Chairperson), Kiruhi Eddah Wangui (Vice Secretary)

Zanzibar – Film Producers’ Guild: Salma Salim Adim (President), Mohamed Selemani Hamad (Producer)

The launch of Stream East marks a defining milestone in building a unified and thriving film ecosystem in Eastern Africa. With regional policies aligning, structures taking shape, and technology being embraced, the industry is poised for a new era of storytelling—one that reflects the region’s rich and diverse cultures.

“Together,” Salma concluded, “we are not just imagining change—we are building it.”