You have certainly seen the words, “Directed by Chico Berry” in almost all Rwandan videos released in recent months. Real name, Bertrand Gatete, 25-year-old Chico Berry, has ambitions of taking Rwandan music videos by storm, directing hit after hit in recent months. It is a journey that he began in 2016. “I was pursuing a corporate job before I later found my passion in film making and video directing in 2016. This is when I started my career in this field and later joined the University of Nile Source Polytechnic of Applied Arts where I studied film making and digital media,” Chico Beery said. He also explained where he got the inspiration from, since the industry had many other video directors. “I liked watching television, when I was a kid I was so much into music videos and movies. My dream was to grow up and make videos like the ones I grew up watching or even better than them” he says. The Kigali based director dream, is to see the videography industry grow to an international level like other countries in Africa. “My dream is to see the music industry grow to the extent of our videos being nominated for top awards in Africa or even internationally, so that our country can be recognised in entertainment also, not just tourism,” he told The New Times. Chico Berry continues describing some of the challenges the industry faces today that should be revised. “The industry lacks investors, some of the equipment that this job requires is very expensive, which is why we need heavy investment. Some of the nice locations in Rwanda are also still a problem due to high restrictions of use” he says. The young upcoming video director looks up to Dave Mayers and Clarence Peters as role models. He also believes that the video industry is heading in the right direction and can go even farther. His favourite video that he has directed so far is, “King Kong” by Zed pro ft Ish Kevin, Kenny K shot and Kivumbi. Chico berry has also directed many other hit songs in Rwanda such as “Amakosi” by Ish Kevin, “Nazubaye” by Juno Kizigenza and “Igikwe” by Confy and Gabiro Guitar together with his team including , Eazycuts who is also on the frontline in this industry.
