THREE RWANDAN FILMMAKERS are bringing awards home from the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), in Burkina Faso.

The winners were announced on the evening of October 23 that concluded the 27th edition of the festival, which officially opened on October 16, in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou.

The winners are Mutiganda wa Nkunda, who won the ‘Award of best script’ in feature film category, Gahigiri Kantarama, who won the ‘Poulin d’or’, the best award in Short Film Documentary and Fafin Alliah who won the ‘Poulin d’argent’, the second award for Short Film Fiction.

Mutiganda wa Nkunda’s film, ‘Nameless’ is based on a true story and follows a pair of hard-up young lovers in Kigali as they descend into violence. It was also nominated for ‘Long Metrage Fiction,’ the biggest category.

The filmmaker expressed his gratitude and excitement for the award.

 "This is a huge message to everyone with dreams of making a film and is discouraged by the thought that it is for old or rich people. I started this film without a single penny, but it got selected in the biggest African movie festival with high profiled people who own big budgeted movies that cost millions. Look at me now, ‘Nameless’ won an amazing award. It makes me proud and I am so privileged that I also share it with everyone who was so supportive to me without any financial ability. We are able and we can,” he told The New Times.

He added that being the youngest in this competition was an added value and a big sign that being young does not prevent anyone from achieving their dreams.

 "Don’t sit right back. We ought to work hard and keep on improving the Rwandan cinema. I won an award worth more than one million Rwandan Francs.”

Kantarama’s movie, ‘Ethereality’, on the other hand, talks about migration, identity, dignity and sovereignty.

"Through a series of portraits, you will meet Africans from different countries that have left home and you will also discover the intriguing story of a famous astronaut. Ethereality is a philosophical essay that asks the question about belonging. What is it that you leave behind when you leave home? And is it possible to recreate it?” she said.

 "It is an honor to represent Rwanda at FESPACO, the historical which is the biggest African festival, and the most prestigious. Winning the top award represents a magnificent recognition of my work,” she added.

After Joel Karekezi won the last edition of FESPACO 2019, this year’s winners confirm that there is no doubt, that "having won top prizes again this year establishes and confirms that Rwandan cinema is now on the international map,” according to Kantarama.

Kantarama shared some advice to female filmmakers who are afraid of stepping out of their comfort zones.

 "I would like to encourage my fellow Rwandan female filmmakers to pursue their dreams and ambitions. It is a difficult path, but it is possible and I am glad to be walking on it. I hope to inspire them to do the same, step by step. After all these years, we will get to tell our stories, because the world is ready for us all,” she said.