Kampala is alive with creative energy, yet it has no dedicated space to watch, talk about, and celebrate film. Unlike Nairobi or Kigali, our city’s film lovers, artists, and young filmmakers have nowhere to gather, learn, and be inspired.

Aftersun Cinema & Café aims to change that.

Following on from the success of our Film Club, we’re building a 40-seat art-house cinema, café, and cultural hub right in the heart of Kampala.

Why It Matters

Kampala’s only cinema chain screens mostly Hollywood blockbusters, with no place to stay, talk, or connect after the movie. Meanwhile, Ugandan filmmakers and students need somewhere to share their work and grow their craft. Kampala nightlife is also missing a chilled, welcoming space where people can hear each other talk, connect, and enjoy sumptuous food and drink.

There is a growing community of film lovers, festival-goers, creatives, and cultural organisations eager to bring this vision to life.

How YOU Can Help

We’re raising £7,000 to create a pop-up cinema and café for the whole of May 2026, which will serve as the foundation for our second pop up December 2026 and permanent cinema opening in 2027.

During this month, we will:

✅ Screen a carefully curated programme of international and Ugandan films

✅ Host weekly workshops for filmmakers in audio, cinematography, and scriptwriting

✅ Host acoustic nights, jazz ensembles, album listening parties, and no-sound sessions

✅ Run a scrumptious café and bar, serving delicious, healthy food and delectable drinks

✅ Commission cinema equipment — acoustics, air conditioning, lighting, and seating

✅ Pilot café operations — menu, service flow, seating, lighting, acoustics, and POS systems

✅ Validate the market — audience demand, event popularity, and community engagement

✅ Train a team of projectionists, sound engineers, chefs, baristas, accountants, fundraisers, front-of-house staff, event coordinators, and creative programmers

✅ Invite institutional and creative organisations to experience and showcase the vision on site

✅ Host book clubs, Scrabble competitions, literature nights, speed-friending events, language lessons, and writing groups

✅ Provide a space for filmmakers to test-screen their work, facilitate writers’ roundtables, and showcase new filmmakers’ projects

Your donation will help fund:

✅ Cinema soundproofing, projector, screen, seating, air conditioning, and lighting

✅ Rent, film distribution costs, media council ratings, and cinema and operational licences

✅ Workshops for filmmakers and community events

✅ Café equipment and furniture

✅ Staff and volunteer allowances

✅ Marketing — to ensure every Kampalan knows their second home is open

Every contribution, large or small, brings us closer to opening night.

Share this campaign with friends, film lovers, and anyone who believes Kampala deserves an indie cinema.

Mobile money payments can be sent to MTN Kerry Bradshaw 0776215930

Aftersun is calling on everyone who believes Kampala deserves a space where film, creativity, and community thrive. Join us in bringing Aftersun Cinema & Café to life — a home where stories inspire and Uganda’s next wave of filmmakers can shine.

Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes updates.

Blog and more! - www.aftersuncinema.com

Insta - @Aftersun.Cinema

YouTube - @aftersuncinema