Rwanda Film Festival Gets Underway

Hillywood brings you yet another full-package entertainment and thought-provoking films from Africa and beyond. The 7th edition of the annual Rwanda Film Festival (RFF) is underway, complete with movie premieres and glittering red carpet on the closing gala night. The event runs from July 16 - 29, with up-and-coming directors and Hillywood A-listers, rubbing shoulders at one of Africa’s biggest cinema gathering. A rich galaxy of world renowned film stars is expected to converge in Kigali for the festival. The theme for this year’s festival is: “Africa Celebrated at Hillywood”, with plenty of great feature and short documentary films made in, or about Africa. The program is diverse in terms of genre, subject matter and the rich humanity of the continent. The inspiring films will definitely tickle the senses and intellect, movie enthusiasts. African filmmakers are transforming what has largely been a preserve of the west. They are doing it with a sense of passion, humour and political awareness that RFF is proud to bring to Rwanda. The festival has a standing commitment and impressive track record in connecting regional filmmakers to nationally renowned and accomplished industry professionals. Other acts during the festival would include workshops, forums and exhibitions. This year’s festival boasts a record three gala nights, packed with three great films that tell different Rwandan stories. The films have been well received in various high profile film festivals around the globe. These films are ‘Grey Matter’ by ‘Kivu’ Ruhorahoza, ‘Kinyarwanda’ by Alnick Brown and ‘Africa United’, a film that provoked a heated debate at Toronto Film Festival and in the United Kingdom. A recent animated film realised in a project supported by BTC/CTB Rwanda in collaboration, with Ishyo Art Centre and Rwanda Cinema Centre will also be screened. Gracing the festival is the presence of a delegation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, organisers of the OSCARS Awards in Hollywood. They will attend the festival and later officiate the launching of the KWETU Film Institute where they are expected to conduct master class workshops. Ends

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Rwanda Film Festival Gets Underway