Matt Bish’s biographical drama about Anglican martyr Archbishop Janani Luwum earns acclaim at East Africa’s premier film festival
A Ugandan film chronicling the final days of Archbishop Janani Luwum has achieved significant recognition at the 2025 Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), winning two prestigious awards and highlighting an important chapter in African Christian history.
“Janani: The Last Stand,” directed by Matt Bish, captured both Best Feature Film and Best Actor (East Africa) honors at the festival, which took place from June 25-29, 2025, in Stone Town, Zanzibar. The film’s leading actor, Peter Odeke, was recognized for his portrayal of the martyred Anglican archbishop.
The 90-minute biographical drama explores the martyred archbishop’s final moments. Archbishop Janani Luwum, opposed the dictatorship of President Idi Amin. The film premiered on December 7, 2024, at Century Cinemax in Kampala[1].
Director Matt Bish, who has over 18 years of experience in filmmaking and has won awards at festivals including the Pan African Film Festival and Africa Movie Academy Awards, took creative liberties with the archbishop’s final moments, as the exact circumstances of his death remain disputed. The film follows Luwum’s memories while he waits in Amin’s office, recounting the times he intervened to help victims of the regime’s brutality.
Born in 1922 in the village of Mucwini in northern Uganda, Janani Jakaliya Luwum converted to Christianity in 1948 through the East African Revival movement. He was ordained as a deacon in 1953 and priest in 1956, rising through the Anglican hierarchy to become Bishop of Northern Uganda in 1969 and Archbishop of the Metropolitan Province of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire in 1974.
As archbishop, Luwum became a leading voice against the excesses of Amin’s regime, which had assumed power in 1971. He regularly visited the State Research Bureau—Amin’s notorious intelligence agency—to secure the release of political prisoners and delivered sermons criticizing government atrocities. His Christian voice made him a target of the regime.
On February 16, 1977, Luwum was arrested along with two cabinet ministers, Erinayo Wilson Oryema and Charles Oboth Ofumbi, after delivering a letter of protest to Amin regarding arbitrary killings and disappearances. While the official account claimed they died in a car accident, it is widely believed they were murdered on Amin’s orders. When Luwum’s body was examined, it was found to be riddled with bullets.
Archbishop Luwum’s sacrifice has been recognized internationally. His statue stands among the ten Modern Martyrs of the 20th century above the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey in London, unveiled in 1998. These statues commemorate Christians who gave their lives for their beliefs and represent all who have been oppressed or persecuted for their faith.
Peter Odeke, who won Best Actor (East Africa) for his portrayal of Luwum, is an accomplished Ugandan actor with over 30 years of experience in film, television, and theater. He has appeared in notable international productions including “Queen of Katwe,” “Sometimes in April,” and “Shake Hands with the Devil”. Currently serving in the Protocol Unit of Uganda’s Parliament, Odeke expressed gratitude for the opportunity to portray such an iconic figure.
The film also features Melanie Agutu as Mary Luwum and Alele Ayub as Idi Amin. Director Matt Bish, who founded Bish Films in 2005, has produced more than 10 features and previously won awards for films including “Battle of the Souls” and “State Research Bureau”.
The Zanzibar International Film Festival, also known as the Festival of the Dhow Countries, is one of East Africa’s largest cultural events. Each year, ZIFF exhibits more than 100 films from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, the USA, and Asia, prioritizing films from Africa and by Africans including the African Diaspora.
The 2025 festival, themed “Where Hope Takes Root,” screened more than 150 films and brought together filmmakers from across Africa. Matt Bish, celebrating the wins on LinkedIn, praised the entire cast and crew for their dedication to telling “powerful stories that inspire and uplift our audiences”. He stated the film represents his commitment to developing Uganda’s film industry and promoting African stories on the global stage.
The success of “Janani: The Last Stand” at ZIFF stands as a testament to the region’s growing capacity for producing globally resonant stories rooted in local experience.