Polly Kamukama's Unheard leads the pack with 12 nominations at this year's iKon Awards

"Unheard," is a film that captivated audiences with its powerful story in the Rukiga dialect, stealing the spotlight at this year's iKon Awards with a whopping 12 nominations.

Unheard is a heartwarming tale of a young mother in a remote Kabale village turning to fishing for her family has earned nods in categories like best film, best director, and best screenplay.

Even the technical aspects including best sound, best cinematography, best production design, best costume design, and best make-up have not been left unnoticed.

Producer and writer Polly Kamukama expressed excitement about the recognition, highlighting the challenges the cast and crew faced during the 30-day shoot in the chilly mountains of Kabale and the hippo-infested waters of Lake George.

Kamukama, a journalist and lecturer, sees this acknowledgment as a promising start for the team, who dedicated themselves to bringing this essential story to life.

The film, born from Kamukama's storytelling vision in 2011 and funded a decade later through a government grant, premiered to acclaim in Kampala last October.

Audiences praised its picturesque landscapes, inspiring narrative, and compelling soundtrack. Yet, what truly stands out is the authentic performances by the local cast, especially Jackline Katusiime's stellar portrayal of the lead character, earning her a well-deserved nod in the Best Actress category.

Joseph Kahirimbayi, also known as the frontman for Qwela Band, impresses with a terrifying portrayal in both best supporting actor and iKon rising star categories.

Award-winning filmmaker Joseph Ssebaggala adds to the film's accolades with double nominations for his roles as director and editor.

As the film gears up to compete with last year's big winners at the upcoming iKon Awards, it promises to go toe-to-toe in multiple categories.

A total of 203 films and TV series are in the running for 26 awards at the red carpet event on March 23, organized by the youth and arts NGO Reach a Hand Uganda (RHU) to celebrate outstanding talents in the country's film and TV industry.