After its world premiere at the 2020 American Film Institute (AFI) Film Festival, in Los Angeles, United States, and later winning a jury’s special mention prize at the 47th edition of Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) in April, short movie ‘Breaking Ground’ continues to make Inès Girihirwe, its maker, proud at the after it won yet another top prize at the just-concluded Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF).

The film was last month recognized as the winner of the Ousmane Sembene Award during the annual festival held in Zanzibar from July 21-25.

"Breaking Ground”, a production by Imitana Productions, is a short movie project directed by fast-rising young female film director Inès Girihirwe (pictured below) about a woman who is in an abusive marriage.

Inès Girihirwe.

The woman is mistreated by her husband and seeks refuge in her neighbor’s house where she decides to change the course of her life.

It was produced early 2020 on the occasion of the ‘Power In Constraints’ workshop, hosted by filmmakers Sharangabo Mbabazi, Samuel Ishimwe Karemangingo.

Starring in ‘Breaking Ground’ is actress Rosine Bazongere, who has made a name for herself in acting through different local popular local movies like City Maid TV Series.

Other characters in the film include Alphonse Karangwa, Cheryl Isheja, Natacha Muziramakenga and Micheline Muhimpundu.

It is Grihirwe’s very first film since she launched her filmmaking career in 2017, but its recognition at international film events has given the 23-year-old’s Girihirwe a reason to not only celebrate where she is but also work harder to reach greater heights in her career.

"I am so excited that the film is doing well on international level. I hope the jury picked it because of the way it was directed,” Girihirwe told The New Times in an interview.

"If your work is appreciated it gives you courage to do your best and meet your audience’s expectations and that’s a motivation that I never take for granted,” she added.

The filmmaker is also looking forward to her future film projects that she hopes will prove her worth.

"I am not a one-movie star because I have more projects that I am working on that will show the world of filmmaking what I can offer. The projects are ongoing and it’s a matter of time before they are released,” she said.