First of all, congratulations on a truly fascinating film — we thoroughly enjoyed it. Let me start by asking: how challenging was the journey from pre-production to post-production?

 

Thank you so much for your kind words! The journey from pre-production to post-production was undoubtedly challenging, yet incredibly rewarding. One of the key hurdles was identifying and developing our characters, especially since all of our directors are from Uganda and we were filming in Tanzania. This posed unique challenges, such as navigating the language barrier, local politics, and the bureaucracy involved in securing and clearing locations. Although this wasn’t our first feature, every cost felt new, and we had to adapt to unexpected circumstances. A key challenge was capturing clear mobile sound. With limited mobile tools, it became evident that sound on the move would be difficult, particularly when shooting in a car with heavy lighting that was difficult to manage in such tight spaces. Additionally, we faced issues with rigging and stabilisation equipment for the cameras, which further complicated our ability to shoot smoothly. Transport logistics were also an obstacle, as we had limited cars and couldn’t carry heavy equipment between locations as freely as we would have liked. Despite these challenges, we pushed through with a clear vision and creative problem-solving, which made the journey all the more fulfilling.

 

The sound design stands out as one of the film’s strongest elements. Was that a conscious stylistic choice, or did it evolve naturally based on the story’s needs?

 

Thank you for highlighting the sound design – it’s a true honor! After the success of our 2024 short film Champion’s Road, where sound design played a major role in shaping the experience, we knew we wanted to carry that momentum into Third Floor Pigu. We consciously decided to elevate the sound design even further. Partnering with a legendary record producer, Henry Kiwuuwa often regarded as the king of Afrobeat, we made a deliberate investment in ensuring that both the score and sound design became central to the storytelling. We envisioned Third Floor Pigu as a romantic thriller, one that doesn’t rely on fear to drive the narrative but rather focuses on delivering a rich, entertaining experience. This decision was rooted in our desire to create something that not only captivated but also pleased the audience. It’s incredibly gratifying to receive feedback that our sound design has made such a strong impact. It reinforces that our approach was the right one for this film.

 

The inciting incident is brilliantly crafted, and everything that unfolds afterward keeps us hooked. What drew you to approach this story as a thriller?

 

The inspiration for approaching this story as a thriller came from a rather unexpected source. We witnessed firsthand how something as seemingly harmless as a sinister laughter could create a powerful sense of fear and suspense, turning what was once lighthearted into something deeply unsettling. This experience, where a colleague’s laugh and captured everyone’s attention and also sent a ripple of unease through the room, sparked the idea for a character that could evoke similar emotions in our film. It was clear that this type of character, whose actions could go from harmless to malevolent in an instant, would be perfect for a thriller. From there, it felt natural to build the narrative around that tension, ensuring that every twist and turn kept the audience on edge.

 

You’ve captured vivid slices of city life throughout the film. Were those moments intended as narrative relief, or were they integral to the story from the beginning?

 

The city life scenes were intentional and served a dual purpose. First, they acted as a narrative relief, offering moments of contrast that helped maintain the entertainment value of our thriller. We wanted to give the audience a breather from the intensity of the story while still keeping them engaged. But beyond that, these scenes were also crucial in emphasising a deeper theme: life goes on, no matter the challenges or turmoil individuals may face. The bustling city serves as a reminder that, while the characters are immersed in their struggles, the world around them continues its rhythm, unaffected by their personal battles.

 

The film runs just under an hour — shorter than a typical feature. Was that a creative decision, or did it arise from production constraints?

 

Third Floor Pigu represents progression in our filmmaking journey. After taking a brief pause in 2019 to learn and research following the success of our feature Life of a Champion, which didn’t fully meet all our expectations, we came back with a short film. This allowed us to refine our approach. When it came to Third Floor Pigu, we made a conscious creative decision to keep the film at just under 72 minutes. It wasn’t about production constraints; instead, we felt that this length best served the pacing and intensity of the story we wanted to tell, ensuring it remained impactful and engaging.

 

The montages are striking and uniquely constructed. Would you say that’s a signature element of your storytelling style?

 

Thank you for the thoughtful question and the insightful review! Yes, the montages are indeed a signature element of our storytelling style. We believe in using them as a powerful tool to convey emotion, pacing, and key narrative elements in a visually striking and unique way. It’s something we’ve consciously integrated into our production approach to add layers and depth to the story, and we’re glad it resonated with you.

 

Despite the suspense and gore, there’s also a thread of love and survival running through the film. Did you set out to tell a love story as well?

 

A continuing love narrative partly inspired the story, and we believe that every viewer may have hoped for more tender moments to be captured. However, the circumstances of the plot didn’t always allow for the idealised love scenes that one might expect. Instead, the presence of Pigu introduced a disruption to the couple’s anticipated journey, adding layers of complexity. The combination of suspense, gore, and the thread of love and survival was meant to reflect the reality that life moves forward despite any challenges or setbacks. The third floor, as the central space of the story, had to encompass all these elements: love, conflict, and survival, showing that even in the darkest moments, life and love persist.

 

Now that the film is complete, how satisfied are you with it — and what are your hopes going forward?

 

We are incredibly proud of Third Floor Pigu. The film has been selected 43 times in international film festivals and awards around the world, and it has already won at least six awards, including one from the Beyond Border International Film Festival. As we continue to search globally for partners and collaborators to support us in raising the necessary funds, we are thrilled to say that Third Floor Pigu has already set a record as the most selected and award-winning African film of all time, a distinction that remains unmatched. We are ready to embrace the next steps in our journey and look forward to the continued recognition and opportunities ahead.

 

Who or what inspired you to become a filmmaker in the first place?

 

Our core belief is that we are #MadeofGOD, and it’s this divine inspiration that has driven us to become filmmakers. Beyond that, growing up watching films in local cinema halls deeply stirred our passion for storytelling. It sparked a desire to create a world, one that resonates globally and has the potential to be award-winning. Our vision is to build Africa’s biggest film industry, and this inspiration continues to grow with every step we take in our journey.

 

And finally, we’re curious — what’s next for you? Any upcoming projects you can share?

 

Next up, we’re working on Shadows of Valentine, a film we believe will be like no other in the world. But our journey with Third Floor Pigu isn’t over; we’re continuing to expand this story and working tirelessly to promote it, along with all our other films, at every festival and film award around the globe. We refuse to let any setbacks hold us back. For anyone with the resources to invest in film and a desire to win, we encourage them to bet on us, because we are on the path to becoming the world’s most influential storytelling force in cinema. We are deeply grateful for this incredible opportunity to share our journey in our first international film festival interview. It’s a clear sign that we are on the rise!