Opportunities for Ugandan filmmakers via online streaming services

Abstract

This report serves a purpose to capture the details of my field based research practice experience which was conducted in Uganda, Kampala. This study covered the details of my study research ventures, looking for the opportunities of Uganda filmmakers via online streaming services which begun from March 2022 to July 2023. The study assessed the effectiveness of the available online streaming services to Ugandan filmmakers who use them, and those that may choose to adopt them into use. Specifically the study was guided by three objectives; to highlight the contribution of online streaming services to Ugandan filmmakers, to interrogate how the different online streaming services operate, and toanalyze online streaming for film in Uganda, digging deep into, what online streaming for film is, as a tool in film, with this projecting the future of the film industry with online streaming entwined. The study employed aqualitative research design. Data was collected using interview guides from different film practitioners through interviews and also documentary analysis of United Nations media reports and different media houses reports supplemented the chief data. An overview of the research study in theory and field work build up is illustrated. The study findings were also an eye opener and for me one of the greatest was that using online streaming services can earn a filmmaker tens of millions of Ugandan shillings if handled strategically well. Apart from that there are multiple local and international based online streaming services built and established to take up films, which Ugandan filmmaker can use,these and more are all the finding of the study. The study concludes that, the medium of online streaming can be another solution and step stone as the film industry looks to thrust forward with as it has the capability to patch many abilities in the sector especially with its opportunities in employment and income generation potentials to creative filmmakers who chose to rely on online streaming services for film show case, as those who are using it are gaining from it already. Most filmmakers working in the film producing business lack the broad knowledge of the total functioning and operation of the available large industrial online streaming services. There is also lack of consistency not only regarding statics on online streaming field in Uganda, but also on actual existence of the different online polices. This study also recommends funding and increase in more online streaming services more so for film.