# Veronica's Wish

Veronica’s Wish is a Ugandan English-language drama film starring Nisha Kalema (Veronica), Housen Mushema (Michael), Malaika Nyanzi (Bankia), Symon Base Kalema (Frank), Tereza Kabasekyere (Grandma), Kabenge Richard Valentino (Dance Instructor), Jayant Maru and Allen Musumba. It premiered in Uganda on 17 November 2018.
The film was screened at major film festivals around the world including Silicon Valley African Film Festival, Uganda Film Festival and Mashariki African Film Festival and even won nominations and awards at the latter two.

## Plot

Michael and Veronica, a couple in love and engaged to marry are faced with challenges as Veronica gets hit by a mysterious illness a few days before their wedding.

## Production and casting

When Nisha Kalema created Veronica’s Wish, she first cast Rehema Nanfuka as the lead actress to play Veronica. But when Rehema read the script, she turned down the offer and proposed the role be played by Nisha Kalema herself and instead offered to direct the movie. During her speech at the movie premier, Nisha revealed that she hadn’t thought of casting Housen Mushema as Michael. Malaika Nnyanzi was cast as Bankia, Veronica’s best friend and Frank’s (Symon Base Kalema) girlfriend. In reality, Malaika and Symon Base Kalema are siblings which led to the cutting of their on-camera romance from the script.

## Nominations and awards

In the first week of its screening, the film received 11 nominations at the Uganda Film Festival 2018 and later won 9 awards becoming the biggest winner.
Awards & Nominations :
| Year | Award | Category | Received by | Result |
| 2019 | ZAFAA Global Awards | Best Picture Editor | Nisha Kalema | Nominated |
| 2019 | ZAFAA Global Awards | Best Producer | Nisha Kalema | Nominated |
| 2019 | ZAFAA Global Awards | Best Lead Actor Female | Nisha Kalema | Nominated |
| 2019 | ZAFAA Global Awards | Best Screenplay | Nisha Kalema | Nominated |
| 2019 | ZAFAA Global Awards | Best Supporting Actor Female | Malaika Nnyanzi | Nominated |
| 2019 | ZAFAA Global Awards | Best Lead Actor Male | Housen Mushema | Nominated |
| 2019 | ZAFAA Global Awards | Best Director | Rehema Nanfuka | Nominated |
| 2019 | Sinema Zetu International Film Festival | Best Feature Film | | Won |
| 2019 | Sinema Zetu International Film Festival | Best Actress | Nisha Kalema | Won |
| 2019 | Sinema Zetu International Film Festival | Best Director | Rehema Nanfuka | Won |
| 2019 | Silcon Valley African Film Festival | Best Feature Narrative | | Won |
| 2019 | Pan African Film Festival, California | Jury Honorable Mention | | Won |
| 2019 | Gulu International Film Festival | Best Feature Film | | Nominated |
| 2019 | 7th Coast Film Festival | Best Director | | Nominated |
| 2019 | 7th Coast Film Festival | Best Cinematography | | Nominated |
| 2019 | 7th Coast Film Festival | Best Screenplay | | Nominated |
| 2019 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Achievement In Make-Up | Joan Nantege | Nominated |
| 2019 | Mashariki African Film Festival | Best East-African feature | | Nominated |
| 2018 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Feature Film | | Won |
| 2018 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Director | Rehema Nanfuka | Won |
| 2018 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Actress | Nisha Kalema | Won |
| 2018 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Actor (Film) | Housen Mushema | Nominated |
| 2018 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Supporting Actor | Symon Base Kalema | Won |
| 2018 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Supporting Actress | Malaika Nnyanzi | Nominated |
| 2018 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Costume & Production Design | | Won |
| 2018 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Sound | | Won |
| 2018 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Editing & Post Production | | Won |
| 2018 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Cinematography | | Won |
| 2018 | Uganda Film Festival Awards(UFF) | Best Script (Screen Play) | | Won |