The two week Rwanda Film Festival  (RFF) that started with one week of Hillywood upcountry and a five day run of movie premiers in Kigali ended  on Friday with a crown gala night that involved awarding certificates to graduates of the Civil Society and the biggest event being the Hillywood 2012 silverback awards.

Eric Kabera at the gala night

Eric Kabera the founder and chairman of the RFF said the 8th edition was a huge success and had people all over Rwanda and beyond appreciate the movies.

“For the first time, Rwanda has been indicated as a destination for buyers to come and buy movies and we had Mnet come over to buy some local movies.

And for the festival, the movies are not just being screened but some are competing for the silverback award,” Kabera said.

He also thanked the sponsors and those that helped in making the event a success.

Film lovers attending the opening of the RFF at Kigali Serena Hotel

Movie goers hadn’t had enough yet before the final night clocked in and they flocked The Manor hotel where they screened U17 movie, Special Thief that left people’s ribs hurting and a trailer of the movie made by the graduates of the Civil Society.

The Rwanda U17 also came to root for their movie and share the night with film goers.

But it wasn’t long before the long awaited moment finally arrived-Hillywood 2012 silverback awards. With film makers having their hands crossed before Hugo Huysmans who was part of the Jury came to announce the 10 silverback winners in different categories.

Hugo Huysmans unveiling the Jury verdict

Huymans told The Sunday Times, it was a hard task to choose from the 49 movies which ones to award the prizes.

“The Jury of 5 members finally managed and we are so impressed with the drastic improvement of film in Rwanda,” he said.

One of the winners, Sonia Uwimbabazi, who won the Hillywood award for her short film Beyond Sight which is also her first film had this to say:

“My short film was about a blind couple that struggles to live a normal life and today I am so excited to have this award, it is a big motivation to me,” she said.

The Rwanda film festival 2012

The event that brought most people’s eyes to the screen started on 14th July under the theme “My Voice My Identity” and had a screening of movies in the 4 provinces of Rwanda and the opening of Rwanda film festival in Kigali at Serena 21st with screening of an amazing film called The First Grader.

In Kigali  it was at places like Ishyo and Goethe theatre in partnership with the Belgian embassy, Shuttle restaurant and Kwetu films that screened a number of films. Mr. Nobody, The first grader and The education of Ouma Obama attracted the largest crowd.

Different people came from all over the world to share this magnificent experience with Rwanda.

Peter Bennett from the Zanzibar Film Festival said he heard of the booming film industry in Rwanda and couldn’t miss the amazing festival.

“I have had a great time and I enjoyed the movie and the response of Rwandans to the screenings,” Bennett said.

Winners of the night:

Hillywood award

Beyond the sight – Sonia Uwimbabazi

East African award

A small act – Jennier Arnold

Best Documentary film

Bons Baisers de la colonie – Nathalie Boegers

Best feature film

Mr. Nobody – Jaco Van Dormael

Best short film – special mention

Kivuto – Poupoune Sesonga

Best short film

Unfarewell – Ainhoa Menendez

Best director

Jaco Van Dormael

Resilience award

Justice for sale – Femke Van Veizen

Rwanda as seen around the world

Rwanda 17 Healing of a nation – Von Planta

Best audience award

The First Grader – Justin Chadwick
Out of Africa films on Africa

Sunday in Brazzaville – Ernic Back and Adria Mones

By Patrick Buchana, The New Times

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