Rwanda Film Festival preparations kick off

This year’s movie calendar is taking shape as preparations for the 11th edition of the annual Rwanda Film Festival (RFF) kick off in high gear. Rwanda Film Festival brings together several film houses and is organised by Kwetu Film Institute (KFI) and Rwanda Cinema Centre. Josephine Mbabazi, the head of marketing and communications at KFI, said intensive preparations including fundraising for funds from different institutions are ongoing. She added that they will also partner with foreign festivals such as the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) and Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) to create more exposure. Unlike the previous editions, this year’s festival under the theme, Limitless, will incorporate art groups such as KigaliUp (music), House of Tayo (fashion), Ishyo Arts and Spoken Word, to spice up the festival. The festival, which started in 2004, is a platform for filmmakers and other artists to reach out to larger audiences and get exposure. According to Victor Kagimba, the festival coordinator, many unknown talented Rwandans will benefit from the festival. “I always meet locals with brilliant ideas but with no imminent way of implementation. The festival is attended by potential sponsors and media enthusiasts – it will offer lots of inspiration and opportunities,” he said. The festival has very many movies and documentaries lined up, including local director and producer Eric Kabera’s Intore (above) and Sonia Rolland’s Rwanda, Mon Amour(left). (Net) The festival will provide an opportunity to network and get feedback on films and various art works. It will also feature the Hillywood extension programme from July 20-23, where young filmmakers will be scouted from all over the country. The programme will equip them with filming skills, access to equipment and networking. The festival will take place from July 20 to 31 and will cover Nyagatare, Rwamagana, Gicumbi, Gisenyi, Rubavu, Musanze, Karongi and Huye. Local movies Intore by Eric KaberaRwanda, Mon Amour by Sonia RollandChildren of the Genocide by Nina Milligan Cut the tall trees: The Killing Power of Words by Noah Bennett and Max Cho I am Kizito by Mike Mapes Playing a part by Lauren Rothman Reweaving: Rwanda after rape by Katherine Calvert The kindness of strangers by Cole Kawana The rhythm of healing by Cook Imani Others incude: City of dust by Young Kim (Uganda)Difret by Zeresena Berhane Mehari (Ethiopia)Felix by Robert Durrant (South Africa) Dialemi “Elle s’amuse” by (Gabon)Deeper than black by Sean Addo (USA/Ghana)White shadow by Noaz Deshe (Tanzania/Italy Germany) Bound: Africans vs African Americans by Perez Owino (USA/Kenya)Selma by Ava duVernay (USA)A Court d’Enfants by Marie-Hélène Roux (France)Counter by Nicholas Bouier (USA)Calm by Kwame Lestrade (UK)Wale: Mo wa lati (I am from) by Pace Bowden (USA)Hitch hike by Matthew Saville (New Zealand).

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Rwanda Film Festival preparations kick off