The fifth edition of the Rwanda Hillywood film festival starts today with over 70 films expected to be screened within the 14 days that the festival is expected to run. 

The 5th festival is the region’s most promising film industry gathering showcasing Rwanda’s talent.

The festival dubbed : "Red carpet to hillywood” is aimed at entertaining and educating audiences in Kigali and even those in the rural areas where films will be projected on inflatable screens.

Among the local films expected to be screened is Confessions directed by Daddy Ruhorahoza, and K-Guy, a short film directed by Joselyne Umutoniwase.

Others include Life guard, Lost in the south and Le monument.
Several movies from the region are expected with Iseta directed by Juan Reina, a film about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi featuring prominently.

Over 14 films from the East African region will be screened while many others produced in French, Italian, English and Spanish will be showcased.   

Speaking at the festival launch on Wednesday, Rwanda Cinema Centre founder Eric Kabera said that this year’s festival will be much bigger and better.

"We have more films ten of which are Rwandan; we are expecting bigger international, regional and local guests. We have more then 10 films from across East Africa and more than 60 international films. The festival will culminate with an award ceremony which is a first in Rwanda.”

"The festival will open in Nyagatare in respect and in celebration of Hillywood.The festival aims at taking film to everyone starting with those in rural areas and then to Kigali venues,” said Kabera.

The festival will focus on outstanding women, children’s films with a special event for Genocide films. Selected venues in Kigali include Serena, Cine star, Torero café, Women Foundation Ministries hall, Maison des Jeunes, Ishyo and TBC.

"We want to celebrate the fact that right now Rwanda film industry exists and is a world renowned brand with film in global festivals. The film showcase is a way of boosting the creative industry and encouraging youth to venture into it for employment,” said Kabera.

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