Rwandan filmmaker Claude Niyomugabo, famous for his debut documentary 'Born a Refugee but Never Think like a Refugee', is one of the young filmmakers selected to compete in CANEX Shorts— an exciting and dynamic competition for young filmmakers to be acknowledged for their work as well as to secure the opportunity to attend and be showcased at the Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IATF2023).
His film has been shortlisted and will be screened at the event in Cairo, Egypt from November 9 to 15. The platform typically showcases Africa's creativity in fashion, music, film, arts and crafts, and sports.
The 30-minute audio-visual documentary showcases the stories of adult refugees, children born and raised in camps, and prominent figures who were refugees in the past. The content intends to challenge the prevailing stereotypes surrounding refugees and provide a platform for their stories to be heard.
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The initiative was organized by CANEX Shorts, in collaboration with the African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank). It is an engaging and vibrant contest for aspiring filmmakers to receive recognition for their work.
Filmmakers aged 18 to 29 were invited on September 11 to submit their films for the selection curated by the committee.
Afterward, the entries will be submitted to the jury responsible for making the ultimate selection, a concise list of 10 films that will all be showcased. Out of the shortlist, three victors – one in each category: Best Feature, Best Documentary, and Best Animation – will receive recognition.
The winning filmmakers will be invited to CANEX at IATF2023 to showcase their films and connect with potential investors and other partners. In addition, each winner will receive a cash prize.
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Niyomugabo, 24, a university student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in law, shared his excitement regarding the opportunity.
He said: "I believe that in life there are times when we succeed and times when we don’t. But I am pretty sure that my film has a good shot at winning this competition.
"Both the content and the visuals are really at a high level. So, I am looking forward to receiving my award since my film meets all the criteria which make it stand out.”
Niyomugabo believes that winning opportunities are crucial for Rwandan cinema. "I encourage upcoming filmmakers to have faith in their abilities and believe that they can succeed. They shouldn’t be afraid to take the leap and give it a shot.”