Suzan Mutesi’s ‘Sanctuary Pariahs’ wins big on 2026 global film festival circuit

Ugandan-Australian actor Suzan Mutesi stars alongside Vietnamese-Australian actor Hop Dao in upcoming film ‘Sanctuary Pariahs’ from Australian director and producer Daniel Okoduwa.

Sanctuary Pariahs has launched its 2026 festival run with strong early recognition on the global circuit, including a win at the Bangkok Film & Movie Awards in the Narrative Feature category, and a win for Best Feature Film at the Luleå International Film Festival. The film is also a finalist in the Best Director category at WSXA Barcelona International Film Festival.

The film follows two young immigrant women whose deep, unspoken bond becomes a lifeline as they face homelessness and prejudice and struggle to survive. They must navigate danger, societal pressures, and their own inner demons to hold onto the only sanctuary they have left: each other.

Suzan Mutesi, whose credits span film and television, continues to build her international profile with this highly anticipated new film.