iKON Awards 2026 set for December, roadmap to include Johannesburg experience

What the report says

The Independent Uganda reported that the fourth iKON Film and Television Awards will be held on Saturday, 12 December 2026, at Kampala Serena Hotel. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Reach A Hand Africa headquarters in Lungujja, Kampala, with the 2026 edition set to run under the theme “Beyond Borders”.

According to the report, organisers have shifted the awards from their usual March timing to December to allow for a wider programme of iKON Activate activities across Africa. The roadmap includes the launch of the iKON Society on 15 August, an iKON Activate South Africa programme and nominees’ unveiling from 22 to 26 October, a nominees’ brunch on 21 November, the iKON Africa Film Forum from 7 to 10 December, a screening of iKON Young Filmmakers’ Fellowship short films on 11 December, the awards ceremony on 12 December, and a winners and partners brunch on 19 December.

A major addition is the Johannesburg leg of iKON Activate, to be hosted in collaboration with South African actor, producer and filmmaker Thapelo Mokoena. The article says registration for filmmakers and other participants remains open until 20 August 2026, and that a delegation of actors, directors and other creatives will be led by Joy Efe Odiete of Blue Pictures Entertainment Group.

The Independent also reported that iKON founder and CEO Humphrey Nabimanya highlighted cross-border outcomes from previous engagements, including Uganda-Nigeria and Uganda-Kenya collaborations. The development matters for Uganda’s screen industry because the awards are being positioned not only as a recognition platform, but also as a networking and co-production route linking African film ecosystems.