The government has reaffirmed its commitment to developing Rwanda’s film industry as a strategic driver of job creation, investment and economic growth. Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth and Arts Sandrine Umutoni made the remarks while addressing filmmakers participating in the Kigali Cine Junction (KCJ) Film Festival, saying cinema should be viewed not only as a form of cultural expression but also as a tool for national development. The minister said the government considers the film industry one of the strategic sectors capable of creating quality jobs for young people, attracting international investment, supporting local businesses and strengthening Rwanda’s global visibility. “The Government of Rwanda sees the film industry as one of the strategic sectors for generating quality jobs for our young people, attracting international investments, strengthening local businesses and contributing to Rwanda’s global visibility,” Umutoni said. She added that, under Vision 2050 and the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), the government remains committed to improving the environment in which filmmakers can create, collaborate and compete internationally through stronger skills development, improved infrastructure, better access to finance and meaningful partnerships. ALSO READ: Kigali Cine Junction extends special screening to Rwandan films Umutoni noted that cinema goes beyond entertainment, describing it as a powerful medium for preserving memory, challenging assumptions and fostering mutual understanding. “Cinema reminds us to look differently at the world. It allows us to question assumptions, preserve memory, imagine new futures and understand one another better,” she said. At a time when misunderstandings continue to divide societies, she said, film can build empathy by enabling people to experience the histories, hopes and struggles of others through storytelling rather than statistics or headlines. ALSO READ: Rwandan filmmakers begin two-week training programme in Korea Film as a catalyst for development The minister said filmmaking can transform communities by creating jobs, transferring skills and supporting local businesses long before audiences watch the finished product. Describing a film set as a place where actors, technicians, costume designers, local workers and community members work together, she said each production generates economic activity while showcasing destinations to international audiences. “The film transforms the place where it is made. It creates jobs, it transfers skills, it supports local businesses and introduces audiences around the world to places they may have never heard of before, while giving local communities new reasons to believe in the value of their own stories,” she said. “That is why we should not see cinema simply as culture. We should see it as development.” However, Umutoni stressed that the government alone cannot build a thriving film industry, calling for stronger collaboration among producers, investors, development partners and filmmakers. “It requires visionary producers, investors willing to back creative talent and international partners to see Africa not simply as a location to film, but as a place to co-create, innovate and tell stories together,” she said. She also encouraged international delegates attending the festival to explore opportunities for collaboration with their Rwandan counterparts, expressing hope that the event would open new audiences, markets and sustainable partnerships for local filmmakers. “Every great film begins with a meeting. Perhaps one of those meetings will start here this week through Kigali Cine Junction,” she said. The minister commended Imitana Productions and its partners for steadily building Kigali Cine Junction into an important platform for African cinema. She said the festival demonstrates that Kigali is becoming a place where stories are not only screened but also developed, discussed and brought to life. “Festivals like Kigali Cine Junction matter because they bring together people who may never have met otherwise. They create opportunities to exchange ideas, challenge ourselves and demonstrate how much our stories have in common,” she said. Festival boosts Kigali’s creative and tourism ambitions Claudine Emma Ntirenganya, spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said hosting the festival at the Imbuga City Walk Car Free Zone reflects the city’s commitment to supporting the creative industry and providing platforms for local talent to thrive. Ntirenganya said the festival also strengthens Kigali’s position as a tourism destination by attracting international guests who return home with positive experiences of the city. “When they come here, they become ambassadors of Kigali. They go back and share what they have seen, encouraging more visitors to come. Tourism remains one of the pillars of our economy, and festivals like this contribute to its growth,” she said. She added that the city will continue investing in public spaces capable of hosting cultural events, citing facilities such as the Kigali Car Free Zone, Kigali Convention Centre, Canal Olympia and other entertainment venues, while encouraging private investors to develop more event spaces. Building Rwanda’s film industry Kigali Cine Junction has become an international platform connecting Rwanda’s film industry with filmmakers from around the world, according to the festival’s artistic director, Aimé Philbert Mbabazi Sharangabo. “Although the festival is for Rwandans, it has become an international event. Guests have already arrived from different countries and more are expected. Those connections help promote Rwanda through influential filmmakers who reach large audiences,” he said. Sharangabo noted that, beyond film screenings, the festival focuses on knowledge exchange through workshops, masterclasses and professional networking. He said Rwanda still has relatively few film schools and experienced industry professionals, making training sessions led by international filmmakers particularly valuable. “These workshops and training programmes allow experienced filmmakers to leave knowledge and skills here that contribute to building our film industry,” he said. He also highlighted cinema’s wider contribution to the economy, noting that film production creates opportunities for professionals in fashion, music, literature, catering, transport and many other service industries. “Cinema brings together many professions. Fashion, music and literature all benefit from it, while numerous service providers earn income through film production. It creates employment opportunities and contributes to reducing unemployment,” he said. The fourth edition of Kigali Cine Junction ran from July 21 to 26 under the theme “Genre in Film”, attracting an estimated 2,400 participants. The festival featured film screenings, masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions and networking events aimed at strengthening African cinema and expanding international collaboration.
