Africa-Press – Uganda. A new era for East African cinema has officially begun with the launch of Stream East, a regionally owned digital streaming platform designed to promote and monetise locally produced films.
The launch marked the climax of a four-day Eastern Africa Filmmakers Summit and was hailed as a milestone in the region’s creative industry.
The summit was organised under the Revitalising the Film Industry for Livelihood Enhancement (REFILE) project, supported by the UNESCO International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD).
It brought together delegates from eight participating countries Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, and Zanzibar with a shared goal of boosting the regional film sector through cooperation, innovation, and cultural expression.
Representing the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Commissioner Juliana Naumo Akoryo emphasised that the platform was more than just a technical advancement. “It is a cultural revolution and a declaration of regional unity through storytelling,” she said.
Developed under a \$100,000 funding framework, Stream East offers East African filmmakers a much-needed solution to long-standing challenges in content distribution and monetisation.
The platform allows creators to showcase their work across the region and beyond, while maintaining ownership and earning revenue.
“This platform gives us a powerful avenue to tell our own stories, connect with wider audiences, and open up income opportunities for our creatives,” said Akoryo. She also noted that the project promotes inclusion, with youth and emerging filmmakers set to benefit from mentorship programs and collaborative projects.
One of the most significant outcomes of the summit was the signing of the Eastern Africa Filmmakers’ Pact a landmark agreement to promote cross-border collaboration, protect intellectual property rights, and advocate for fair revenue-sharing policies.
Delegates from all eight countries appended their signatures to the document, signalling a unified commitment to elevate the regional film industry.
The Pact led to the formation of an Interim Regional Filmmakers’ Council, which will guide its implementation over the next three months.
The council is headed by Salma Salim Adim of Zanzibar as Secretary General, Dusabimana Apollos of Rwanda as Vice Secretary General, and Bridget T. Chibwe of Zambia as Council Secretary.
In her inaugural address, Salma described the Pact as more than a legal agreement. “It’s a movement that reflects our identity and ambition. We are not controlled by any one government—this is a regional effort driven by the filmmakers themselves,” she said.
Salma stressed that Stream East is not designed to compete with global platforms like Netflix but to complement them by offering culturally grounded content.
“What we’re offering is something different a homegrown platform that speaks our language, reflects our realities, and celebrates our identity,” she said.
The platform is managed by associations of filmmakers, including Uganda’s Pearlwood, whose Secretary General Mzee Julius Bwanika emphasised the principle of collective ownership.
“This is a platform by filmmakers, for filmmakers. We invite all legitimate producer groups in the region to join and shape its future.”
The summit drew participation from high-level representatives, including UNESCO’s Regional Office in Nairobi, Uganda National Commission for UNESCO (UNATCOM), the Uganda Registration Services Bureau, and film federation leaders from across the region.
Notable signatories to the Pact included Namatovu Aisha and Julius Bwanika from Uganda’s Pearlwood; Rajabu Amiry Abdallah and Fadhili Francis Mfate from Tanzania; Mugisha James and Dusabimana Apollos from Rwanda; Bridget Chibwe and Wilo Paul Shamulanga from Zambia; and Onyango Ezekiel and Kiruhi Eddah Wangui from Kenya.
As the region moves forward, Stream East is expected to act as a digital bridge connecting filmmakers to audiences, building sustainable livelihoods, and reshaping East Africa’s cultural narrative.
“This is just the beginning,” Salma said. “Together, we are building a future where our stories are not only told but heard, respected, and celebrated.”
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