Undoubtedly one of the most successful women in film, Caroline Kamya is a Ugandan multi-award winning Film Producer and Director based in Netherlands.
She stamped her mark in the Ugandan film industry as the first woman to produce a feature film following the release of ‘Imani’ in 2010 that stared legendary acts like Ocen Stephen, Rehema Nanfuka and Philip Buyi Roy.
Kamya is also the founder of Ceekay Films, ‘NATIV’, a project that supports young African Creatives, and runs a non-profit program ‘Shattered Hues’ which supports Creatives of African descent in Amsterdam.
In 2006 Kamya launched the ‘Uganda Arts and Media Academy’, which ran for 3 years building up the creative community in Uganda. Her team also produced some of the first reality and game shows such as, “Jazz My Life” and “The Good Life Show” which aired between 2006 – 2008. Here are some success tid-bits we got from her interview with GLIM.
SURVIVAL INSTINCT
“My most notable achievement is surviving being born premature in the 1970s in Uganda. My parents did not expect me to make it. I have a survival instinct that has allowed me to overcome many challenges in my life and it began there.”
CHALLENGE YOURSELF
“As a Ugandan woman who dared to make a feature at a time when it was seen as impossible, it is actually part of my nature – to strive to do the impossible. I love challenges and my gender or nationality are not a barrier, they are a bonus.”
INTENTION
“I just wanted to make a film that revealed the wonder that is my country of birth, something I did not see when growing up abroad, and I did it. The film won so many awards not only for me but for the cast and crew.”
AUTHENTICITY
“I have learnt to be accountable for my errors, to face issues head on and to be able to say sorry to people I have or may have hurt. Being humble is a key to growth. My work is now much stronger, more personal and authentic based on my experiences. I will be telling my life story in print and in film over the next few years. By sharing your challenges and how you overcome them you never know who you might inspire in the process.”
MENTORSHIP
“I also have mentors that have supported me for over 15 years that I only have to call; and they are there for me as advisors or funders of my work.”
POSITIVE MINDSET
“You have to embrace challenges and see them as an opportunity to grow, pivot your ideas and see how the online world can benefit your business or your craft. I use this solution led approach in most areas of my life. Problems do not exist, just challenges to overcome and grow from.”
SERVICE
“Let the next generation step up off your shoulders as you go along and share your knowledge and challenges with others. Use your life in your work if you can as that is authentic storytelling.”
