On November 22nd, the city of Valencia hosted the prestigious 35th World Tourism Film Awards. The event, organized by CIFFT, brought together representatives from tourism organizations, creative agencies, and diplomatic corps worldwide in Valencia, Spain. The occasion marked the recognition of the World’s Best Tourism Films in five competitive categories: Tourism Destination Cities, Regions, Countries, Tourism Products, and Tourism Services.
The International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals (CIFFT) announced the 2023 winners at the Auditorium Mar Rojo in Oceanogràfic Valencia to celebrate the best in global tourism videos in 2023. Internationally recognized content created by the world’s most innovative storytellers and broadcasters from over 3,000 entries from over 50 countries participated in the CIFFT Circuit 2023, a unique platform that brings corporate and tourism film festivals around the world to award the best audio-visual productions in the tourism industry.
UTB’s “Rwenzori – The Source of Life” was awarded the 3rd Place in the Tourism Product Category following its submission in January 2023. The film production, supported by UNDP, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities, Uganda Tourism Board, and Tooro Kingdom, was produced by Aner Extebarria Production Company under the Campaign – Conserving Mountain Ecosystems – to highlight the beauty and splendor of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges as one of the remaining equatorial glaciers in the world.
“The award for Rwenzori Royal Expedition is a creative approach to promote awareness of the restoration and protection of areas affected by climate change but also to drum up support for culture and heritage tourism promotion in our country” – Hon Tom Butime, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities.
“The CIFFT 2023 Award is an important milestone in the efforts to preserve the crown of snow on the Rwenzori Mountains. We must continue to tackle the effects of climate change in our society, and I’m happy that His Majesty is spearheading this effort in our country and particularly in Tooro Kingdom – Owekitinisa Joan Kantu Else, Minister of Tourism – Tooro Kingdom.
Therefore, the prestigious award has exposed the untapped tourism product development opportunities available in the Rwenzori region for an adventure of a lifetime for travelers from all over the world while in Uganda – The Pearl of Africa. Mountain tourism, complemented by wildlife Safaris, primate tracking, bird watching in the Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks, accented by the culture and heritage of the local communities.
“This world-class documentary highlights how we must take urgent action to preserve and conserve fragile mountain ecosystems such as the Rwenzori Mountains, whose health is vital for the development and prosperity of Uganda and Africa as a whole.” – Ms. Elsie Attafuah, UNDP Resident Representative.
