Varsity student awarded KWETU scholarship

A National University of Rwanda student, Chantal Mpore Nibagwire, has won a scholarship to study at the first fully-fledged film school in Rwanda where she will study Film Production. Her talents distinguished her from 47 other KWETU applicants to win the scholarship.Established a year ago, KWETU Film Institute is a centre of academic excellence to explore new kinds of communication and cultural expression. The institute provides East Africa with a holistic, sustainable and internationally recognised film-training facility. Nibagwire, a part time student at the Huye-based varsity, will spend the remaining part of this year at the film institute. However, she is not a first time winner: “I am a university student through a scholarship I won in 2010 from Generation Rwanda,” said Nibagwire. “I am pursuing a bachelor degree in journalism and communication.”The annual KWETU contest is open to talented Rwandan students who cannot raise the tuition fees.“Nibagwire did a wonderful job of presenting her thoughts about the questions posed to her,” says Christian Gakombe, a film-mentor at the school. “We have no doubt that she [Nibagwire] has a bright future ahead of her. Her enthusiasm and positive attitude is contagious; she is truly an exceptional young lady,” he adds.The 24-years old has bad memories about the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi: “During the Genocide, I lost almost all members of my family. I was left with my sister and a caring uncle,” she recounts.Some of her past work includes an acting role in the group, “Indinganire” that addresses zero tolerance on domestic violence. She also featured in the play, “Kirazira” that highlights promotion of the Rwandan culture.However, she is very candid as to why she wants to become a filmmaker “I would like to be an ambassador of positive change in Rwanda’s burgeoning film industry”Nibagwire draws much of her inspiration from her uncle. She says: “My uncle taught me how to act in theatre at a very tender age. I have been building on this from one production to the other.” Her favourite film director is Raoul Peck of the film, “Sometimes in April”.“I believe Raoul’s directing chops succeeded in telling the real story of what happened during the genocide,” she says. “His film initiated constructive discussions on the importance of peace and reconciliation in Rwanda.”