Rwanda’s Film Industry Advances with Support for Four Film Projects under the Creative Grants Initiative 2024
Kigali, Rwanda – July 15, 2025 – The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), in collaboration with the Rwanda Film Office (RFO) and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), is pleased to announce the laureates of the 2024 Creative Grants Initiative 2024.
This year, four promising film projects — two in production and two in post-production — have been awarded a total of €360,000 in funding. The grants are co-financed equally by the Rwanda Development Board and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, with additional support from the ACP-EU Culture Programme. The initiative, titled ACP-EU Towards a Viable Cultural Industry, is implemented by the Organisation of ACP States and funded by the European Union. Its strategic goal is to strengthen cultural and creative sectors across ACP countries (African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States) and amplify their socio-economic impact.
A diverse selection committee of local and international industry experts conducted a thorough and impartial evaluation of all eligible projects, assessing them against established criteria such as creativity, originality, and potential impact, among others. Each member contributed their expertise and judgment independently, resulting in a well-rounded choice of the four awarded projects.
The chosen projects span diverse thematic areas, including family dynamics, work and youth experiences, explorations of love, reflections on ancient history, and poignant narratives relating to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. These stories reflect the vibrant and complex cultural fabric of Rwanda and the broader ACP region, underscoring the power of film as a tool for dialogue, remembrance, and social transformation.
LAUREATES
- PRODUCTION SUPPORT – CLAP ACP2/RDB
- “IKIMANUKA “Seasons of the weary kind,“ by Samuel Ishimwe
- “The Uncomfortable Zone,” by Robert Imanishimwe
- POST-RODUCTION SUPPORT – CLAP ACP2/RDB
- “Remember,” by Jonas D‘Adesky
- “Umukandara,” by Shema Deve
For RDB media inquiries, please contact RDB Communications
For Rwanda Film Office media inquiries, please contact Rwanda Film Office
About the Rwanda Development Board
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is a government agency mandated to drive Rwanda’s transformation into a dynamic global hub for business, investment, tourism, and innovation. Its mission is to accelerate economic development by enabling and promoting private sector growth.
For more information, please visit: www.rdb.rw
About the Rwanda Film Office
The Rwanda Film Office (RFO), established in 2019 under the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), serves as a central hub for audiovisual and film industry services. It supports stakeholders by enhancing their operational capacities and aligns with Rwanda’s vision to become a leading film destination on the continent. The RFO is also focused on establishing a Film Fund to drive the development of local film projects and attract international productions to Rwanda.
For more information, please visit: www.rfo.rw
About OIF (Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie)
The Francophonie represents the community of people who share the French language. Since its establishment in 1970, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) has been dedicated to promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as fostering political, educational, economic, and cultural cooperation among its 88 member countries.
For more information, please visit: www.francophonie.org
