“Wakaliwood [is] the filmmaking community that has emerged in the impoverished Ugandan neighbourhood of Wakaliga. Led by the visionary Nabwana I.G.G. but with an inclusive, community-minded spirit, the Wakaliwood films cast local folks and curious visitors in outrageous pastiches of all the ‘good parts’ of American action movies. Best enjoyed with optional narration by V.J. (‘Video Joker’) Emmie, who offers comments like ‘Supa action!’ and ‘The movie’s on! The movie’s on!’ like an upbeat MST3K. Absurdly violent but charmingly innocent, these invigorating movies, produced on budgets of about $100, are the best case I know of for the democratic potential of digital video.” -Will Sloan

Winner of Fantastic Fest 2016’s Audience Award!

Welcome to Wakaliwood, Uganda: home of “DA BEST OF DA BEST MOVIES!” and the vanguards of DIY commando cinema.

Under the guidance of writer/producer/director Nabwana Isaac Godfrey Geoffrey (IGG) and with producer/star Alan Ssali Hofmanis, this crack crew of self-taught filmmakers and martial arts aficionados produce dozens of gonzo action films in the Kampala ghetto with budgets that rarely exceed $200 USD. Utilizing scrap parts to build computers, machine guns and a full-sized Huey helicopter, these real-life superheroes inspire more heart, imagination and soul than a thousand Hollywood blockbusters.

“[Wherein] a mild-mannered doctor, portrayed by Wakaliwood producer Hofmanis, is trained in the art of ass-kicking commando vengeance by a no-nonsense ghetto kid named Wesley Snipes(!) in an effort to steal back a family heirloom from Uganda’s toughest gang. A multitude of subplots ensue at a breakneck pace as Nabwana hurls his charismatic cast through bombastic firefights, dizzying motorcycle chases, and an absolutely madcap prison riot – all photographed with a thrilling gonzo panache and seeped in gleefully silly, self-deprecating humor. And in Uganda’s finest storytelling tradition, the films are complemented by the acerbic wit of narrator/”Video Joker” VJ Emmie, who sums up the Wakaliwood experience with a single sentiment: ‘It is a love story…LOVE OF ACTION!’” (Peter Kuplowsky, Fantastic Fest)

On July 14, the Wakaliwood documentary ONCE UPON A TIME IN UGANDA will be followed by Wakaliwood film BAD BLACK. On July 15, the documentary will be followed by Wakaliwood film WHO KILLED CAPTAIN ALEX. Double feature tickets can be purchased for either date for $12. Or you can buy tickets to all three films — Once Upon a Time in Uganda (either date), Bad Black (7/14), and Who Killed Captain Alex (7/15) — for just $15!

WAKALIWOOD WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Once Upon a Time in Uganda	7/14	7:00 pm	94 min
Bad Black	7/14	9:00 pm	69 min
Once Upon a Time in Uganda	7/15	3:00 pm	94 min
Who Killed Captain Alex	7/15	5:00 pm	74 min

THEATER POLICIES

All seats are first-come, first-served.

The theater opens 30 minutes prior to showtime, except for “Happy Hour” events and pre-shows when the theater opens at the listed start time.

All ages are welcome at Arkadin except for Drinkolas Cage events, which are restricted to 21+. We follow the MPAA rating guidelines for all other films.

Tickets can be purchased using the BUY TICKETS link above. Upon ordering, you will receive a confirmation email from Square. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the show at the concession counter.

If you’ve purchased advance tickets, when you arrive, please give your name at the concession counter to check in.

Tickets are returnable by sending a request through the contact form located on our About Us page prior to showtime.

When an event is sold out, we reserve the right to release open seats to customers on the waitlist. If you have a pre-purchased ticket and arrive late and there is no seat for you, your ticket will be refunded.

All screenings are held in our indoor theater unless indicated otherwise in the event description above.

Please respect your fellow movie-goers by remaining quiet and refraining from using your cell phone throughout the screening.