EU Presents the Peace Award as Juba Film Festival concludes

The annual Juba Film Festival, which also featured European Cinema Days at the Notos Art Centre, ended on Saturday with a memorable awards ceremony at the Nyakuron Cultural Centre. The finale attracted diplomats, government officials, actors and actresses, as well as producers, directors and sponsors of the festival.
'Yes, We Can', a documentary about disability not inability, won the award for best script and was named the best film of the year. 'The Plight of the Nomad' took the Best Peace Film Award, while Charles Sebit and Gloria were named Best Actor and Best Actress respectively.
Speaking as the guest of honour, the German Ambassador to South Sudan, Gregory Bledjian, who also presented the best film of the year award, expressed his gratitude to all the partners of the Film Festival, especially the filmmakers and actors/actresses and co-sponsors such as the European Union. Cinema has a unique ability to reflect society, challenge perspectives, and imagine the future.
Presenting the award for the best peace film, the Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union Delegation, Mr Lothar Jaschke, praised the collaboration with Juba Films, which ensures that the annual film festival continues to inspire hope, create a culture of storytelling, and develop the creative industry of the new nation.
“Presenting the award for the best peace film is particularly meaningful to the European Union because the EU in essence is a peace project. Our aim and mission are peace,” said Mr Jaschke. 'We are proud to support the Juba Film Festival. This year, we didn't just provide financial support; we also contributed five European films, two of which were co-produced in Burkina Faso, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo with the support of the European Union. I hope that, with your energy, (Bingo and Mama Joyce) one day South Sudan will also be on the list.”
Simon Bingo, the Managing Director of Juba Films Limited, praised the actors, actresses, producers and directors for their perseverance and enthusiasm in documenting the story of South Sudan, despite the many challenges they face. He also challenged filmmakers to change the narrative of their films and promote a positive image of the country to a global audience. "Promote South Sudan! Every country has problems. Even in the US, people are killed every day. If we don't tell our own story, nobody else will,” he appealed.
Representing the Government of Central Equatoria State, Information Minister Patrick Nyarsuk (who is also a filmmaker) praised filmmakers, the German Embassy, the European Union and the other sponsors for sustaining the creative industry. “You are not only protecting and preserving the history of South Sudan; you are also redefining its future,” he said. “The German Embassy, the European Union and the other sponsors are nurturing a generation that will develop this country.' Continue to support film companies directly. Filmmakers, you are laying the foundations for the film industry in South Sudan. You may not benefit from it today, but the next generation will. Change from analogue to digital. Go online, do your research and improve the quality of your productions. To succeed, consult others.”
Hon. Nyarsuk assured the audience that the Equatoria Broadcasting Corporation is now fully operational and encouraged filmmakers to submit their films for screening as part of a special programme dedicated to South Sudanese cinema.
As part of the Juba Film Festival, the Delegation screened five films (#EuropeanCinemaDays) at the Notos Art Centre, which concluded on Friday with the Maltese film Carmen.
The Delegation has been one of the Juba Film Festival's leading partners for the last six years! The Juba Film Festival is an annual celebration of film where filmmakers submit their work, which is then screened at various locations in Juba City. The films are reviewed and categorised for awards, with some receiving prizes in various thematic categories at the grand finale at the Nyakuron Cultural Centre.