EMMANUEL ILUNGOLE is a young filmmaker, writer, director, editor and producer, whose film journey started at university.
With just four years in the industry, Ilungole has done some notable projects such as My Degree, My Background, Perfect Lie and Neighbour, among others.
He talked to Quick Talk about life and the industry.
Thanks for doing this; tell Quick Talk about yourself.
I am Emmanuel Ilungole, a Muteso. I write, direct, edit and produce films. I’m also a cinephile; I enjoy watching films a lot and critiquing them. Actually, it’s my favourite hobby.
Basically, my whole character as a person revolves around film and I’m happy it’s what I’m doing with my life [Don’t they tell us to strive to earn from our passions?]
Which schools did you go to?
I studied at Mother Majeri for primary and Seeta High for O-Level, then I went to St Lawrence and Namiryango S.S for A level. I then joined Uganda Christian University and studied journalism and communication and that’s where I learnt how to use cameras, editing and all that stuff that is needed in filmmaking
From journalism to film?
Since childhood I have loved film as an art form. I was that kid, who knew every film, who could narrate films… it’s something that I always felt I could do.
Did you attend any film school? No. Everything I know is self-taught–basically YouTube and learning from people I meet. I didn’t go to film school and I think that was a better way to learn than going to class because I feel like film is a very practical thing one should learn hands on and that has helped me to be a better filmmaker.
How long have you been in the industry?
This is my fourth year in the film industry, because I started around 2022, and it’s moving well.
What was the first film project you did?
The first project I ever worked on was a film by a friend I normally work with. It was a project we did at campus. It was a skit but then turned into a film.
It was called My Degree, I became the producer on that film and it was a very interesting learning process. We learnt a lot and we were lucky enough it got a nomination at the Icon Awards the following year.
What other films have you worked on over the years?
I’ve worked on a number of projects, mostly short films. I also got a chance and was a producer on a film by the European Union, You May Kiss the Bride, which I’m sure you know about.
There are more than ten projects I can say I’ve worked on now in different capacities.
For someone watching your work for the first time, which film would you recommend?
There is a short film I did under the European Union. It was called Guy’s Night, it is the first film I did and felt like at least I had achieved 70 per cent of what I was trying to achieve and it’s the film I would recommend to people who want to get know an Ilungole film.
Which part of filming do you enjoy most?
I enjoy all stages of filmmaking. If I’m writing, I enjoy the writing process, the creating of the script and all that; if we are shooting, I enjoy that process. If we are editing, I enjoy the process. Like, I enjoy whichever process I’m in, in that moment.
What is the biggest challenge you face as a filmmaker?
The biggest challenge right now is financing. It’s always hard to raise finances for a film, especially in Uganda where the industry is not really that profitable; even getting someone to invest in your project is really hard, but we always find a way out.
But I am sure there have been some achievements…?
The biggest achievement I think has been the Opportunities Are Here project by the European Union, which gave me a chance to do two short films, Gaze Night and Once Upon a Time in Mukono. Also, Opportunities Are Here gave us the chance to do You May Kiss the Bride, which was a feature film.
It was the first time I produced a feature film and it was really a big achievement for my career.
Despite all the efforts put in, why is Uganda’s film industry still struggling?
I think the biggest issue with Ugandan films is there’s too much compromise. People always want to find the easiest way to do something, even if it destroys the quality of the work.
The other thing is, the older people in the industry not giving a chance to some of the younger filmmakers like us to come in and also try; like, if you look at shows on Pearl Magic, it’s always the same people and that creates a system whereby there’s no new original work coming out.
What advice would you give to other young filmmakers trying to make it?
You just have to be yourself, do work that you believe in, not work that you think other people will like. Because when you try to impress other people, you just end up doing fake work.
What do you do outside film?
What I do is still around things related to filmmaking. Like for example, I do commercial videography, photography… so, I rotate in the same field. And where do you see you self in 10 years? I hope to be in Hollywood doing films.
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