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.
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.
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.
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. 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 and later won 9 awards becoming the biggest winner. Awards & Nominations Year Award Category Received by ResultRef2019ZAFAA Global AwardsBest Picture EditorNisha KalemaBest ProducerBest Lead Actor FemaleBest ScreenplayBest Supporting Actor FemaleMalaika NnyanziBest Lead Actor MaleHousen MushemaBest DirectorRehema NanfukaSinema Zetu International Film Festival Best Feature Film Best Actress Nisha Kalema Best Director Rehema Nanfuka Silcon Valley African Film Festival Best Feature Narrative Pan African Film Festival, California Jury Honorable Mention Gulu International Film Festival Best Feature Film 7th Coast Film Festival Best Director Best Cinematography Best Screenplay Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Achievement In Make-Up Joan Nantege Mashariki African Film Festival Best East-African feature 2018 Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) Best Feature Film Best Director Rehema Nanfuka Best Actress Nisha Kalema Best Actor (Film) Housen Mushema Best Supporting ActorSymon Base Kalema Best Supporting Actress Malaika Nnyanzi Best Costume & Production Design Best Sound Best Editing & Post Production Best Cinematography Best Script (Screen Play)
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