Gabriel Walta Busulwa, Uganda / Canada
Producer, screenwriter, director and editor

contact: waltagabrielbusulwa@gmail.com

Walta Gabriel Busulwa, a visionary filmmaker born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1990, has embarked on a cinematic journey spanning continents. Based in Toronto, Canada, his passion for storytelling and commitment to social change have earned him international recognition. Starting in 2011, he directed an infomercial in South Sudan for Norwegian People’s Aid, later becoming Assistant Director. After graduating from Kampala Film School in 2012, Walta’s debut film, Not Bride a Girl, in 2013, marked a significant milestone in addressing social issues. His international breakthrough came with Akello in 2016. Venturing into collaborations with UNICEF-UNFPA GLOBAL FILMMAKERS LAB in 2017 and the African Film Consortium, he won Best Director at the Coast Film Festival in Kenya in 2018 for BIBI MTOTO. Graduating from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2023, he participated in the Ogo Tawa Artpreneur program. In 2024, he was accepted into the Cinephilia Film and Television Development Workroom, developing Zona and Neda. He’s also producing a documentary, Masaka Plantations to Toronto Markets, highlighting agricultural, trade and globalization issues, showcasing film’s power for social change.

Filmography:

  • BIBI MTOTO / drama / 2018 / as writer, producer and director
  • Lala / drama / 2017 / as writer, producer and director
  • Akello / drama / 2016 / as writer, producer and director
  • Not Bride a Girl / drama / 2013 / as writer, producer and director

Festivals and Awards:

  • BIBI MTOTO / Ururaso women’s film festival / 2022 / Official selection 
  • BIBI MTOTO / The African film festival / Texas, USA / 2019 / Official selection
  • BIBI MTOTO / Slum film festival / Kenya / 2018 / Official selection 
  • BIBI MTOTO / Coast film Festival / Kenya / 2018 / Best short film, Best costumes, Best actor
  • Lala / Juba film festival / South Sudan / 2018 / Official selection
  • Akello / Mashariki African film festival / Rwanda / 2017 / Official selection
  • Not Bride a Girl / Uganda film festival / Uganda / 2013 / Official selection