Nominations for the inaugural Rwanda International Movie Awards have been revealed.
Winners of the annual competition will be announced at the awards ceremony on March 7 at Kigali Convention Centre.
The event, which was announced in January this year, recognises the finest films produced by Rwandan and foreign movie producers.
The event is organised by Ishusho Arts, a local organisation that focuses on cinema activities – and it was created in August 2011.
Nominees out
The nominees represent films from Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, DR Congo, Uganda, Cameroon, Nigeria, Russia, India and Rwanda, the hosts.
More than 170 films were submitted but they have since been trimmed down to the final 55.
Jackson Mucyo, the event coordinator, noted during an interview with The New Times that the awards come at a time when Rwandan filmmakers have started to compete at international film festivals, signifying the growth of local production.
He said a moment of silence in honour of Rwandan actor Denis Nsanzamahoro, who passed on in September last year, will be held at the ceremony.
The ceremony will be hosted by RTV’s Luckman Nzeyimana.
List of nominees:
Local film competition
Best Documentary
"Ikirezi” by Eric Nkabikwiye
"Itorero ryo Hambere” by Patrick Niyotwambaza
"Wamburanye Iki” by Felix Kamanzi
"In My Village” by Sebahire Severin
Best Short Film
"Luna” by Bora Shingiro
"Impanuro” by Issa Dusabimana
"Ifoto Mbi” by Zaninka
"Buri Mugore” by Redblue JD
"Imuzi” by Emmanuel Hitimana
"Responsibility” by Severin Sebahire
"Isooko” by Muniru Habiyakare
Best Series
"Samantha” by Emmanuel Hitimana
"Matayo” by Francis Kibet Kwihangana
"Rumashana” by Patrice Baraka
"Gashugi” by Arnold Rukundo
"Mbaya” by Makaca Bahati
"Muzehe Kevin” by Bernard Uzarama
"Online Love” by Assia Mutoni
Best Feature Film
"Gitera” by Isaie Kalinda
"Isayo” by Jean Paul Nshimiyimana
"Jibu” by Assia Mutoni
"Shady Commitment” by P. K. Kabagambe
"Urugamba” by Muniru Habiyakare
"Nyiramariza” by Emmanuel Hitimana
People’s Choice Award
Best Actor
Jean Bosco Uwihoreye
Gratien Niyitegeka
Ramadhan Benimana
Emmanuel Mugisha
Erneste Kalisa
Emmanuel Ndayizeye
Didier Kamanzi
Leo Ngabo
Norbert Regero
Olivier Kanyabugande
Best Actress
Antoinette Uwamahoro
Assia Umutoni
Djaria Mukayigera
Aline Munezero
Nadege Uwamwezi
Noella Niyomubyeyi
Laura Musanase
Beatha Mukakamanzi
Jeannette Bahavu
Pascaline Ingabire
International film competition
Best Documentary Film
"Bukumbi Water Project” by Wambura Mwikabe (Tanzania)
"Ikirezi” by Eric Nkabikwiye (Rwanda)
"Demla” by Nick Wambugu (Kenya)
"Mezani” by Muddy Sule (Tanzania)
"Wahenga” by Amil Shivji & Rebecca Corey (Tanzania)
"Wamburanye Iki?” By Felix Kamanzi (Rwanda)
"Urithi wa Mila” by Muddy Sule (Tanzania)
Best Short Film
"Aunt Julia” by Veronica Kana (Uganda)
"Between 2 gun” by Paul Samba (Cameroon)
"Blame Game” by Rinah Githaiga (Tanzania)
"Luna” by Bora Shingiro (Rwanda)
"The Other Side of Me” by Babajide Aroyewun (Nigeria)
"Mchele” by Steven Williams Omuse (Uganda)
"Kipongwa” by Thomas Wikesi (Tanzania)
"Ifoto Mbi” by Zaninka (Rwanda)
"In Broad Daylight” by Steven Weru (Kenya)
"Gender Equality” by Wise Pro (Burundi)
"Butchery” by Peter Fadeev, Anna Veselova (Russian Federation)
"Mukami” by Eastmond Mwenda (Kenya)
Best Feature Film
"Angels of Nyalenda” by Joyce Arigi (Kenya)
"94 Terror” by Richard Mulindwa (Uganda)
"Lost in Time” by Peter Kawa (Kenya)
"Shady Commitment” by P. K. Kamara (Rwanda)
"T-junction” by Amil Shivji (Tanzania)
"Bed of Thorns” by Eleanor Nabwiso (Uganda)
"Kunjabdulla” by Shanu Samad (India)
Lailah by Richard Mulindwa (Uganda)
"Mtoto wa Haramu” by Iddy B. Mtawala (Tanzania)
"Ijwi ry’Umutima” by Nipo Nizigama (Burundi)
"Captain Habona” by Kurwa Makandi (Tanzania)
"Circles” by Nagawa K. Hellen by (Uganda).