Who is Emma Okello 

Emma Okello is a Ugandan filmmaker and director, best known for his short film Reverie, which screened at several African film festivals. In September 2025, he won the Best Director award at the Nyasa International Film Festival in Malawi for Reverie, where he was the only Ugandan filmmaker recognized that year.

Reverie also screened at the Juiced Film Festival in Nairobi, Kenya. Received official selection at the Ateker International Film Festival in Turkana, the Lagos Fringe Festival in Nigeria, and Pearl International Film Festival. It was featured in international showcases including the Lift-Off Global Network and received an official invitation to the New York Tri-State International Film Festival. The film also earned a nomination at the Uganda Film Festival (UFF).

Emma Wrote and directed some other films, this include Hypochondriac, The Other and Bond Of Tera. Okello continues to build his career through Phanuel ActM.

Emma Okello was born on 21 September 2001 in Kampala , Uganda. His filmmaking career began in 2019 with self-taught videography through YouTube,  he immersed himself in developing skills in cinematography, editing, and storytelling by only using his Mobile Phone. He Created multiple short films like Akia, Revelation, a Mini series titled The Trap  and more. 

His efforts culminated in 2024 with the release of his break out work Hypochondriac, a short psychological drama co-created with his team under Phanuel ActM where he produced and directed it. The film garnered attention and it got nominated at the Uganda Film Festival. 

In 2019, Okello founded Phanuel ActM, an independent production company (STUDIO) through which he produced his  films, like his break out work Hypochondriac. 

Following the success of Hypochondriac, Okello went on to write, produce and direct Reverie (2025), a film that won awards and got selections including.

• Award wining for Best Director at Nyasa International Film Festival in Malawi

• Invitation at the New York Tri-State International Film Festival (2025)

• Officila selection Lagos Fringe Festival 2025

• Nominated at the Uganda Film Festival 2025

• Official selection by FABA films for Streaming 2025

• Official selection by Juiced Film Festival for Screening in Nairobi, Kenya 2025

• Official selection at the Ateker International film Festival in Turkana, Kenya 2025

The film explores psychological themes through silent visuals and evocative storytelling through sound design, further cementing Okello’s reputation as an emerging filmmaker filmmaker.  

As Phanuel ActM grows, Okello remains committed to crafting films that resonate deeply not just as entertainment, but as art that heals, questions, and transforms. His story is still unfolding. 

ARTICLE FROM CINEMA UG.

Cinemaug256 Spotlight on Ugandan Talent: Congratulations to Filmmaker Emma Okello.

At Cinema UG, we believe every filmmaker's story deserves to be seen and celebrated, and today, we shine the spotlight on one of Uganda's promising emerging voices in film, Emma Okello.

Emma's short film Reverie has been making remarkable strides across Africa's film circuit.

In September 2025, he proudly represented Uganda at the Nyasa International Film Festival in Malawi, where he won Best Director, becoming the only Ugandan filmmaker recognized at the festival.

Since then, Reverie has continued its inspiring journey, screening at the Juiced Film Festival in Nairobi, earning an official selection at the Ateker International Film Festival, and also receiving a nomination at the Uganda Film Festival (UFF)

Emma's story reminds us that Uganda's emerging filmmakers are not just dreamers, they are doers, taking bold steps to put our stories on the global map.

Join us in celebrating Emma Okello and his growing impact in African cinema!

For more:

TAIMA AFRICA ARTICLE

KARAMOJA   -  COURTESY  -  OF  - PHANUEL ACTM