Renowned Rwandan filmmaker Kivu Ruhorahoza has been appointed to the jury for the Thomas Sankara Award at the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO).
The award is one of the
festival's key categories, honoring excellence in cinema. This year’s festival
will run from February 22 to March 1, 2025, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, with
Chad as the guest country.
Celebrating its 29th edition, FESPACO will feature 17 categories, including feature documentaries, short films, and student projects, alongside the main prize, the Étalon de Yennenga.
Ruhorahoza, a seasoned filmmaker with over 15 years of experience,
expressed his honor at being part of the jury for an award named after an
African revolutionary icon. "Sankara is a hero in his country; it’s
natural for his name to be attached to meaningful awards," he stated.
Ruhorahoza has
participated in prominent global film festivals such as Sundance, Berlinale,
and TriBeCa. His notable works include Father’s Day (2022)
and Grey Matter (2011). Joining him at FESPACO is Rwandan
filmmaker Kantarama Gahigiri, who will be judging short films.
Rwanda will also be
well-represented in the competition with films like Phiona, a Girl from
Madrid by Mutiganda wa Nkunda and The Bride by Myriam
Birara. Other contenders include Murmures by Ruhorahoza and
Christian Nyampeta, Minimals in Titanic World by Philbert Aimé
Mbabazi, and Imihanda by Azam Ndahiro.
This festival, considered
Africa’s premier cinema event, has been held biennially since 1972. In 2019,
Rwanda was honored as the guest country, reflecting its growing influence in
the film industry.
The Thomas Sankara Award
pays homage to the legendary leader of Burkina Faso, who championed African
self-reliance and social reform during his presidency from 1983 to 1987. His
vision and legacy continue to inspire generations, making this award a
significant tribute to his impact on the continent.
Kivu Ruhorahoza expressed
his joy at being selected for the Thomas Sankara Award jury
Thomas Sankara, a Burkina
Faso hero, has inspired many initiatives bearing his name
Kivu Ruhorahoza, a renowned Rwandan filmmaker, writer, and producer, gained international fame with his film “Gray Matter”
Kin
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