The recipient of the Best East Africa Talent award at the ninth edition of the Mashariki African Film Festival in Kigali was Igihuku, a 15-minute short film crafted by Rwandan filmmaker Bora Shingiro. Shingiro drew inspiration from the historical context of churches contributing to the discrimination and targeted killings against the Tutsi community during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The film, presented among a selection of short films, delves into this somber chapter of Rwandan history, particularly the role played by church officials, earning recognition for its portrayal and cinematic merit during the festival. ‘Igihuku’ is a story of a young beautiful girl ‘Mugabekazi’ who prayed to God to protect her family during the 1994 genocide against Tutsi, but they were all killed in church including her only beloved young brother. Feeling empty and betrayed, she decided to burn her mother’s rosary. ALSO READ: Mashariki Film Festival underway in Kigali “Mugabekazi and her mother suffered a lot together. They managed to survive the Genocide, however unfortunately, their entire family was killed in the church and inhumanly ‘Mugabekazi’ witnessed her beloved young brother’s death, who was massacred at the altar. “In an abandoned warehouse, traumatized Mugabekazi’ s mother does nothing else but to pray and praise God as a true Christian and believer, which Mugabekazi finds irritating, she then sneakily burns her mothers, rosary. The film which was premiered at a festival in California follows other some of the best films from Bora like ‘Luna’ and ‘Igitambo’ among others. He stressed the importance of the film as a catalyst for churches that were instrumental in promoting hatred among Rwandans to actively engage in educating people about a positive gospel distinct from the teachings propagated in 1994. The filmmaker and Cinematographer having ventured in the field since 2010 with the filmmaking courses at Kwetu film institute. He made his first short film in 2011 called ‘Igitambo’. Shingiro was a cinematographer who worked renowned Rwandan series ‘City maid’, ‘Inzozi’ and Ninyampinga documentary among others. He won Best Short Film of the year at Rwanda International Movie award, Best Cinematographer 2018 at Mashariki African Film Festival. His current short film ‘Luna’ scripted, Shot and Directed by him was selected in next Festivals Luxor African film festival 2018 in Egypt, Silcon valley African film festival in 2019, Clermont Ferrand in short film market 2018, Afri Kamera film festival 2021 in Berlin, African Film Festival Cologne 2021 and Rwanda Film Festival.
