Patrick Nsengimana’s short film, Rayisi, was one of the highlights of this year’s edition of the Rwanda Film Festival. It is the story of a young man who lost his leg to a landmine during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, but who beats all the odds to become a local cycling champion in Rwanda.

Tell us about Rayisi

Rayisi is a film based on a true story. The title is actually the name of the main character, whose full name is Rayisi Kwizera. 

I came up with that idea when I saw him for the first time, although by then I was not yet into film making. I was still a high school student.

I saw him riding his bicycle on the road during his daily practice sessions, and became interested in doing something about him. At that time I was interested in developing my photography skills, but the problem is that I was a student with no camera. 

Three months ago we had a script writing workshop, and that’s when I wrote the script about Rayisi and when it was selected, I decided to make a film about him.

As a filmmaker, where can one find you?

Currently I’m the main camera operator at Kwetu Film Institute, an editor, and also a mentor to students in film class. 

Kwetu Film Institute is like my second family, because I spend most of my time there. 

It’s good to be in Kwetu because you meet a lot of people with different experiences, you discuss and share your experiences, and you become more familiar with the world of cinema. 

At Kwetu I do mostly editing work from the time I arrive in the morning. In the afternoon I take time off to teach other students. I teach them editing and also camera work. 

At a personal level I like camera work most. I also like directing and photography. I plan to do all three professionally. Right now I’m trying to find some photography workshops to attend so that I can go deeper into photography.

How did you find your footing in film?

Right from high school I used to love images and I also used to take pictures. Then after high school I heard of film making workshops at the Rwanda Cinema Center. I went and applied, and I was accepted. I was trained by Swedish teachers. That’s how my career in film making started.

How did it feel having your film screened at the Rwanda Film Festival?

This was my first time participating in the festival. The first time was in 2010 and I was volunteering at that time because I was still learning. This year, I was the official photographer for the festival and I also helped around in different ways as I could. 

I think the festival is a big event and very good. It opens the doors of Rwandan filmmakers to other filmmakers around the world. It’s an open gate for Rwandan filmmakers into the world. 

My film, Rayisi has been enlisted in a competition in Australia at the Focus on Ability short film festival. The festival takes place in September, and now there’s online voting going on. 

There are three films from Rwanda competing at the festival. Rwandans can help vote me by going to the festival website, www.focusonability.com and search for the international entrants section and vote for Rayisi. 

I think it’s not about getting the prize for myself as an individual, but it’s about raising the Rwandan flag high on the international film scene.

If I win, obviously everyone will know that in Rwanda there are good filmmakers. Also they will be interested in knowing more about Rwanda in general. 

Through my eyes I think film in Rwanda has a bright future because Rwandan filmmakers have demonstrated the will to do films professionally.