SEVEN RWANDAN FILMMAKERS are participating in the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), in Burkina Faso, where Rwandan films are among those competing for honours. Now in its 27th edition, the festival which officially opened on Saturday October 16, in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou, will run until October 23. Rwandan filmmaker, Mutiganda wa Nkunda’s film, ‘Nameless,’ was screened on Tuesday October 19, and is one of those competing for ‘Long Metrage Fiction,’ the biggest category. The film is based on a true story and follows a pair of hard-up young lovers in Kigali as they descend into violence. Speaking to The New Times, Mutiganda shared that this festival’s mission and vision is what motivated him to join this festival. For him, being among the Rwandan filmmakers that attended the festival, “is like a dream come true,” and value for the whole country development in term of cinema. He is ‘glad of lifting the Rwandan flag higher to the worldwide’. Other Rwandan filmmakers participating in the festival include, Joel Karekezi and Clementine Dusabejambo, Gahigiri Kantarama, Fabiola Uwera, Jacky Murekeyisoni and Floriane Kaneza, a Burundian who lives and works in Rwanda. ‘Mercy of the Jungle’ a film by a Rwandan, Joel Karekezi won the grand award of Etalon d’or de Yennenga in the 2019 edition of FESPACO. More about the festival Held every two years, the festival started in 1969 and represents till this day a rare opportunity for African storytellers to showcase their creations on a global stage. Originally scheduled for February 27 – March 6, the popular event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the theme “Cinemas from Africa and the Diaspora. New perspectives, new challenges,” and with Senegalese cinema as the guest of honor, the official selection (which received 1132 films) has this year 239 films, including 70 in the official selection, from 50 countries, revealing the diversity of African cinema. This festival only accepts competition of films by African filmmakers and chiefly produced in Africa. The festival also offers professional aid to African filmmakers in terms of establishing working relationships, exchanging ideas, and to promote their work. FESPACOs stated aim is ‘To contribute to the expenditure and development of African cinema as means of expression, education and awareness-raising” plus, establishing a market for African films and industry professionals. Since FESPACOs founding, the festival has attracted attendees from across the continent and beyond.
