EU envoy commends Rwanda filmmakers

Michael Ryan, the head of European Union Delegation to Rwanda, has lauded Rwandan movie producers for their motivation and passion for filmmaking. This was during the awarding ceremony of 17 students, who completed a master class training on film production and post production with a focus in colour grading. Amb. Ryan graced the film graduation ceremony that was held at Kwetu Film Institute in Gacuriro, Kigali. “Rwanda is on the verge of its leap forward in the film industry. We have seen a lot of talent in the local film makers. They are motivated people and I can see Rwanda being number one in cinematic production,” he said. The training was facilitated by Martin Widerberg, an internationally acclaimed Swedish filmmaker, producer and director. It was organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda as part of the European Film Festival 2016 and hosted by Kwetu Film Institute. Ryan urged the filmmakers to always work on tight budget production, pledging to continue supporting the industry in the country. “Filmmaking can be made with the little equipment that one has but it requires passion and willingness to learn, I see Rwandan film makers competing internationally. Finance is inevitably a challenge but you can start with little. Our job as European Union is to try and give Kwetu a hand and our contribution was to fund the film festival as part of the culture,” he said. Some of the participants, who took part in the 4-day Master class training on film production and post production, show off their certificates. The group of students were able to make a short film they called “The Poem”, whose theme was ‘Love and Lust, with each of the students contributing towards its production. Widerberg also commended the graduate students on their success and promised to keep supporting them. “My experience in Rwanda has been awesome and I am so proud of these budding film makers. There has been great improvement right from the start and I see a lot of talent and potential in them. Many of the students want to use film making as a ladder to their success as most of them have other jobs already and I’m sure it is going to take them places,” he said. Widerberg speaks at the event. Courtesy photos. The training was conducted last week from Wednesday to Saturday. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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EU envoy commends Rwanda filmmakers