- A loving husband and father, Isaac is an unlikely multi-hyphenate action filmmaker working from his home in the slums of Wakaliga, Uganda. This funny, touching and inspiring story celebrates the art of filmmaking and the pure joy of creativity.—Anonymous
- Isaac Godfrey Geoffrey (I.G.G.) Nabwana is a loving husband and father who produces, directs, and edits feature film - mainly action - from his home in the slums of Wakaliga, Uganda. Funny, touching, and inspiring, WAKALIWOOD: THE DOCUMENTARY celebrates the pure joy of creativity and reminds us that a dedicated team can overcome any obstacle when united by a common dream.
In 2005, Isaac Nabwana founded Ramon Film Productions, a team of nearly 100 actors, filmmakers, and technicians all volunteers dedicating to building an independent film industry (Ramon takes its name from the three most influential women in Isaacs life, his paternal grandmother and eldest daughter, each named Rachel, and Monica, his maternal grandmother). Filmmaking is difficult in any environment, but life in a slum presents unique challenges including illiteracy, disease, and a struggle for basic utilities such as water, electricity, and plumbing.
In a way that harkens back to the early days of Hollywood, the team must invent all their equipment while relying on ingenuity and available materials. Their tripod is a modified car jack and props are typically welded from scrap metal and used car parts. Isaac personally built the computer he uses for editing, sound mixing, and special effects, though due to Uganda's climate it overheats regularly. The fact that Isaacs video camera has a busted viewfinder and his only battery is held together with string hasn't slowed him down one bit.
The only remuneration the cast and crew receive is a share of the profits from DVDs they sell at street corners and local markets. But distribution is a race against time as the films are quickly pirated. Revenue plummets after only a couple weeks.
Film festival programmer Alan Hofmanis felt compelled to travel to Uganda and meet Isaac Nabwana after watching the trailer for Who Killed Captain Alex, Ugandas first action film (hits for Isaacs trailers number in the millions on youtube).
Inspired by Ramon Film Productions and with a renewed love for cinema, Alan returned to the United States and recruited independent film producer/distributor/filmmaker Ben Barenholtz. Within weeks, Alan, Ben, and cinematographer Andreas von Scheele were on a flight to Uganda to document Ramon Film Productions and the life, struggles, and creative process of filmmaker Isaac Nabwana.
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