The 14th edition of the Mashariki African Film Festival is expected to bring together filmmakers, producers, and international content distributors in Kigali, creating opportunities for local filmmakers to showcase their work and access global markets. The weeklong festival, scheduled for November 23 to 29, will feature films from more than 30 countries competing in five categories. The programme will also include industry networking events, film screenings, an awards ceremony and the graduation of students from Mashariki Arts Academy. Tresor Senga, founder and CEO of the Mashariki African Film Festival, told The New Times that this year’s edition will place particular emphasis on connecting African content creators with potential buyers and distributors through MashaRket, the festival’s international audiovisual content market. “We also have a market, MashaRket, where top audiovisual content producers will be selling products to content buyers,” Senga said. He explained that the platform is intended to bridge the gap between local filmmakers and international markets by providing opportunities for producers to meet potential buyers and industry partners. The initiative, he added, will encourage filmmakers to look beyond domestic audiences and explore opportunities for international distribution. “We have content distributors and buyers who are set to attend MashaRket, including Canal+, MultiChoice and TV5 Monde,” he said. Also known as the Kigali International Content Market, MashaRket will run from November 27 to 29, bringing together filmmakers, producers, distributors, broadcasters and other professionals in the audiovisual industry. 80 films selected This year’s festival will showcase 80 films selected from more than 30 countries across Africa and beyond. The productions will compete in five categories: Long Features, Short Films, Documentaries, TV Series and Rwanda Focus. The Long Features category has 16 films, while Short Films leads with 35 entries. Documentaries will feature 11 productions, TV Series 14 and Rwanda Focus four. Countries represented include Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Cameroon, Canada, France, the United Kingdom and the United States. Among the Rwandan productions selected are 1795 and What a Day in the Long Features category. In the Short Films category, Rwanda will be represented by Kanyana, Last Sign, Lovebirds Part 2, Mandala, Remnants and The Rooftop. Local productions Back Stage, Minus 1 and Umudugudu will compete in the TV Series category. Meanwhile, Bridge of Christmas, Hands of Hope, Rukuruzi and The Bride have been selected for the Rwanda Focus category. The festival will also recognise outstanding achievements in filmmaking, including directing, acting, cinematography and storytelling. Special focus on Rwandan filmmakers Senga said the festival will strengthen its Iziwacu Awards, a platform dedicated to recognising the achievements of Rwandan filmmakers and audiovisual content creators. He said this year’s edition will feature several awards in the local category, with a team of Rwandan film industry professionals appointed to oversee the process. According to Senga, the team comprises professionals with knowledge and experience of the local film industry, who will help ensure a more organised selection and evaluation process. The move, he said, is aimed at improving the administration of the local awards and making this year’s edition more successful. Another highlight of the festival will be the graduation of students from Mashariki Arts Academy, an institution established to equip aspiring filmmakers with practical skills and professional training. “We will also have the graduation of Mashariki Arts Academy for film students who have been studying here on the same day of the awards,” Senga said. The graduation ceremony is scheduled for November 29, coinciding with the festival’s closing awards ceremony.
