Filmmakers from various countries across Africa will gather for the second edition of the Kigali Cine Junction to celebrate cinema in Rwanda.

Organized by Imitana Productions, a Kigali-based film production company, the festival will be held at Kigali Car Free Zone from August 1-4 under the theme "Black Aesthetics: Bridging Continents."

It aims to celebrate the richness of black culture, history, and identity by showcasing authentic stories.

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Yannick Kabano Mizero, a film producer at Imitana Productions and the festival&039;s coordinator, was all but excited about the event's expanded scope.

"We are definitely going bigger. The event will feature screenings of various films and a fashion element, thanks to a collaboration with the fashion brand Moshions,” Mizero told The New Times.

The main goal of Kigali Cine Junction, Mizero said, is to incorporate a cinema culture in Rwanda.

"It's not something that we want to revamp, it's something we want to instill in people. We want to introduce people to films they have never seen, curating films that drive not just conversation but also creativity," Mizero explained.

The festival will showcase a diverse selection of films from Rwandan filmmakers, including those from the Rwandan diaspora. These films, many of which have gained significant acclaim at international festivals, have yet to be screened on local television.

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"We wanted to give a platform for the broader Rwandan audience to watch these films," he noted.

Reflecting on the first edition, Mizero talked about a workshop by Jean-Pierre Bécolo, a renowned filmmaker recognised for his unique storytelling style and artistic innovation that has significantly influenced the African film industry.

He noted how experiences and commonalities were shared among filmmakers from different countries.

"It&039;s funny how somebody from a different country talks about their experiences, and you realize you have things to relate to. You face the same issues, have the same worries. This festival allows people to see things from a different point of view," he said.

Looking at the vision, the event also aims to be a hub for collaboration, where aspiring filmmakers can meet industry professionals.

"We want it to be a birthplace for collaborations across many industries in the cinema world and the broader arts scene," he said.

Regarding the impact on the Rwandan cinema industry, Mizero believes that exposing both filmmakers and audiences to diverse cinematic styles will inspire innovation.

"If we expose this to filmmakers and audiences, we start forcing them to create something more, something different. If the audience wants something different, the filmmakers will deliver something different."

One of the highlights of the festival will be the attendance of Eliane Umuhire, a renowned Rwandan actress who has starred in films such as "A Quiet Place Day One" alongside Lupita Nyong'o and "Neptune Frost."

Umuhire, who has also served as a juror at the Cannes Film Festival's "La Semaine de la Critique", will conduct an acting masterclass on August 3rd and will be the main guest.