Rwanda’s Premier Film Maker; Eric Kabera’s Intore has won the International Film Festival Federation (IFFF) Humanitarian Award. He will receive the award at a ceremony this Sunday at the Raleigh Studios, Hollywood, USA.

The 76 minute film, which has gained attention since its release in June last year , having been screened at the Pan African Film Festival(PAFF) in Los Angeles in February was chosen for the Humanitarian Award by the festival team who were touched by its message and quality of the film.  

Speaking to The New Times, Kabera who directed the film said that it is a happy moment not just for film-makers but for all Rwandans.

"We appreciate that people from far can appreciate the journey the Rwandan people have taken, to heal, to move on and to develop, "he says.

He said the film Intore communicates a message to audiences that didn’t know anything about the country apart from the genocide.

Intore offers an insightful look at how Rwanda has regained its identity from the ashes of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi through art, music, dance, and the resilience of a new generation.

IFFF have screened films by Kabera before and these include ‘100 days’ and ‘Africa United’.

According the IFFF website, the Humanitarian Award is bestowed on a person, organization or film that consistently demonstrates the highest level of integrity, concern and compassion for human welfare with an abiding respect for the family bond.

"This year’s IFFF Humanitarian Award is presented to Mr. Eric Kabera and the film, INTORE. This powerful and touching documentary shares a story of Rwandan hope, survival and forgiveness. INTORE features music and dance performances from Rwanda’s top traditional and commercial artists, and is interwoven with poignant interviews from genocide survivors and perpetrators who sit side by side,” a statement on the website says.

The award will be presented by Wolf Gruner, Director of the USC Shoah Foundation Center for Advanced Genocide Research.

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