RWANDA’S FAST-RISING video director, Chico Berry, who produced ‘Confirm’ by Confy and ‘Kantona’ has won a Gold Telly Award. The award comes after Chico Berry successfully carved out a niche as one of the best video producers in Rwanda, making visuals that are credited to contribute to the rise of Rwandan music Industry. The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, entrants are judged by The Telly Awards Judging Council, an industry body of over 200 leading experts including advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks, reflective of the multiscreen industry. Chico Berry becomes the first Rwandan producer and only African video director to win the category, among other 10 producers across Africa. Speaking to The New Times, the award winning video director said that the gold Award is an additional motivation to continue doing what he does best, which is film making and producing. He said that it’s an honor having participated in the Mic Africa, which is a great platform for African young talents that recognise and play a significant role in uplifting young creatives. “Winning this award is a big achievement as an upcoming video director who has been here for a few years. It comes as a motivation to work hard and open more gates for our creative sector,” he said, adding that, “the filmmaking and videography in Rwanda is growing so fast and with enough support like these awards, we can even push it to greater heights”. Real name, Bertrand Gatete, the 26-year-old started making films in 2016, and later joined the University Of Nile Source Polytechnic Of Applied Arts where he graduated in film making and digital media. Inspired by Dave Mayers and Clarence Peters, Chico Berry has produced a number of videos including “Amakosi” by Ish Kevin, “Nazubaye” by Juno Kizigenza, “Igikwe” by Confy and Gabiro Guitar among many others.
