The management of KWETU Film Institute in Kigali, last Saturday, hosted a German delegation from the province of Rhineland Palatinate. 

The 25-member team, led by the State Minister in charge of Sports and Infrastructure, Roger Lewentz, includes the Health Minister, Malu Dreyer, members of parliament, mayors and several experts.

During their visit, the delegation visited various developmental projects the country supports such as education, health, trade, energy, environment, culture and youth empowerment.

Speaking at the KWETU Film Institute, Lewentz said that the visit was also aimed at ensuring that Rwanda’s cooperation with the German Federal State of Rhineland Palatina is reciprocated.

 "Today marks the final trip in Rwanda. On behalf of the Prime Minister, we have a lot of impressions to continue and look into the future on what we can do together. Filmmaking, media and journalism are among the fields of interest.”

The climax of their visit at KWETU was the screening of a moving Rwandan documentary film entitled ‘Intiryali Iherezo’ directed by Valens Habarugira, a young local filmmaker.

The film follows the life of Claude Uwamahoro, who despite losing his legs during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, can still put food on the table for his family.

The film received a thunderous applause from the delegation. Lewentz expressed his commitment to acquire 200 copies of the film to be screened in various schools in the Rhineland Palatinate.

He also promised that the German Federal State of Rhineland Palatinate would offer scholarships to some Rwandan filmmakers.

Eric Kabera, the founder of KWETU Film Institute said that the institute is more than a film school.

"KWETU is an incubator not only for students learning the technical know how about filmmaking, but in addition, we have introduced a department of languages that would involve German language,” Kabera explained.

He mentioned that the institute was considering having the services of  a German teacher in future.

Their visit was well received by students at the institute.

"The presence of the delegation gives us confidence that filmmaking is universally acceptable,” Pascaline Bukize, the student leader said.

Bukize recounted how she struggled to convince her parents that she wanted to pursue filmmaking.

"At first, my mother told me that she could not sit and watch me act with men in bed. She told me that it was against Rwandan culture for girls to pursue filmmaking,” she added.

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