KAMPALA, Uganda — HiPipo has signed a landmark distribution deal with Germany-based Rushlake Media GmbH to bring the award-winning film Third Floor Pigu to a global audience.
The partnership grants Rushlake Media exclusive worldwide rights to the romantic thriller, which was co-produced by teams in Uganda and Tanzania. Under the agreement, the film is scheduled for a multiplatform international release in the first quarter of 2026.
Third Floor Pigu has achieved unprecedented success for an African production, securing 82 international film festival selections and 15 major awards. Its accolades include best feature honors at the New York Movie Awards and the San Diego Movie Awards.
The 72-minute film stars Innocent Kawooya and Nasra Mohamed Bawazir as a couple who become trapped on a mysterious hotel floor. The project was led by a team of five directors from Uganda and Germany, including Kawooya and Niklas Inderst.
This partnership is more than a distribution deal; it is the fulfillment of a dream to share our story with the world, said Kawooya, who is also the chief executive of HiPipo. He noted that the global deal validates the ability of authentic African narratives to resonate with international viewers.
The five-year contract allows Rushlake Media to leverage its distribution network to place the film on major streaming services, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The agreement also covers video-on-demand, traditional pay-TV, and in-flight entertainment systems.
Rushlake Media is headquartered in Cologne and operates an office in Nairobi. The company specializes in connecting African content with global streaming and broadcasting markets.
HiPipo, a Kampala-based digital innovation and entertainment firm, has produced several films aimed at showcasing East African talent. The company’s leadership said the deal represents a significant milestone for the region’s creative industry.
