Rwandan cinema stepped onto the world’s greatest stage in spectacular trend on Saturday, Could 23, when filmmaker Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo made historical past on the 79th Cannes Movie Competition, profitable the distinguished Caméra d'Or for her debut function Ben’Imana.
The landmark victory, coupled with the movie’s FIPRESCI Prize within the Un Sure Regard part—has not solely elevated Dusabejambo onto the worldwide cinema map, but in addition signalled a defining breakthrough for Rwanda’s fast-rising movie business.
For a lot of inside the business, the win represents excess of private success. It’s being considered as proof that Rwandan tales, filmmakers and productions can compete on the highest stage of world cinema.
Veteran actor and filmmaker Jones Kennedy Mazimpaka described the second as a serious confidence enhance for the nation’s artistic sector.
“These awards give confidence not solely to the individuals behind the movie, but in addition to Rwandan cinema generally,” Mazimpaka informed The New Occasions.
“Even when the business remains to be rising, seeing a Rwandan movie win at Cannes is one thing very optimistic. It reveals that Rwandans can compete on the worldwide stage.”
Mazimpaka believes the achievement sends a wider message about Rwanda’s artistic potential and visibility internationally.
“Seeing Rwandans win awards at that stage offers a message that claims: now do extra, rise additional,” he mentioned.
“This has made Rwanda a lot greater than its bodily measurement on the map. Within the minds of the world, it turns into enormous.”
The filmmaker additionally pointed to Dusabejambo’s journey for example for rising creatives in Rwanda’s movie business.
“She is somebody who dedicated herself to cinema from a younger age. Her journey is a lesson for a lot of filmmakers — begin small, belief the method, and develop via expertise,” he mentioned.
Mazimpaka, who beforehand labored with Dusabejambo throughout her early filmmaking years, added: “Clémentine is a candle gentle.”
The movie’s Cannes success has additionally intensified conversations round Rwanda’s future presence on the Academy Awards.
With Rwanda having established its first Oscars Choice Committee in 2025, Ben’Imana is already being considered as a powerful contender for a future Greatest Worldwide Characteristic Movie submission.
Mazimpaka, who sits on the committee, mentioned Cannes recognition considerably strengthens the movie’s worldwide profile.
“A movie that has been to Cannes already has a pathway to the Oscars,” he famous.
“A movie that has gained awards and earned recognition from critics already has robust visibility internationally.”
Whereas he cautioned that the Oscars course of stays aggressive, involving eligibility necessities and worldwide campaigning, he mentioned the chance was practical.
“Attending to the Oscars for Clémentine isn’t one thing that feels far-off,” he mentioned.
On the centre of the historic second is Ben’Imana, a drama set in Rwanda in 2012 that explores reconciliation, trauma and forgiveness via the story of Vénéranda, a survivor of the 1994 Genocide in opposition to the Tutsi deeply concerned within the Gacaca justice course of.
The movie premiered within the Un Sure Regard part on Could 19 earlier than rising as one of many part’s standout productions.
It stars Clémentine Uwimana Nyirinkindi alongside Isabelle Kabano, Kesia Kelly Nishimwe, Leocadie Uwabeza, Antoinette Uwamahoro, and Aimé Valens Tuyisenge.
Produced via a collaboration between Rwanda’s Ejo Cine Ltd, Gabon’s Princesse M Prod, France’s Les Movies du Bilboquet, and Norway’s Duo Movie, the challenge displays the more and more worldwide nature of Rwanda’s filmmaking ecosystem.
Talking after receiving the Caméra d'Or award, Dusabejambo devoted the honour to Rwandan girls.
“I made this movie as a result of I needed to pay tribute to the ladies of my nation, to those moms who, via error and the unspeakable, discovered the power to stay standing, with dignity,” she mentioned.
“And greater than that, who discovered of their hearts the capability to provide, to forgive and to maneuver ahead—even imperfectly, even painfully.”
She additionally praised the collaborative spirit that continues to form Rwanda’s movie group.
“Making a primary movie is leaping into the void. However when you find yourself surrounded by such a powerful filmmaking household, you don’t fall—you rise,” she mentioned.
For Rwanda’s movie business, the Cannes final result has already grow to be greater than a pageant victory. It’s a sign that the nation’s cinema has entered a brand new chapter—one wherein Rwandan filmmakers are not merely collaborating in world conversations, however starting to form them.
