{{As the Rwanda film industry continues to gain international recognition, the few filmmakers in the country ought to have professional skills backed by sophisticated equipments.}}<\/p>\n
It is in this respect that a delegation of eight renowned film professionals from the American Academy of Motion Pictures are in the country to conduct a one week training to local filmmakers under the Rwanda Cinema Centre. (R.C.C).<\/p>\n
In an exclusive interview with {igihe.com}, Ellen Harrington, a film director noted that the weeklong training will cover subjects related to film writing, directing, producing, acting and cinematograph amongst others.<\/p>\n
She explained that though Rwandan films have exited many, the talent would manifest itself well if the filmmakers had professional skills since they wouldn\u2019t only compete internationally but also their films would have a higher demand.<\/p>\n
The weeklong training also marks the opening of the Kwetu Film Institute (KFI) that will be conducted by RCC with the aim of promoting professionalism in the film industry.<\/p>\n
Pierre Kayitana, the director of the Rwanda Cinema Centre noted that enrollment of students is underway. \u201cSo far we have 100 applicants but it would be better if interested people first showed us their interest through a short footage they have made”.<\/p>\n
He further said that one ought to have a minimum academic qualification of a high school certificate, explaining that its an institute of higher learning.Those that have completed a three year course will be entitled to a university degree.<\/p>\n
Kayitana adds that the institute has a film master\u2019s program for those who have both average skills and long time experience.<\/p>\n
The visiting US professionals will focus more on the skilled filmmakers since there\u2019re able to handle some sophisticated equipments which they might later acquire through donations.<\/p>\n
Currently acquiring the right machines is still a major challenge to the Rwandese film industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting better equipment is the main problem, the cameras for instance are highly expensive and even those imported are highly taxed; that\u2019s why we don\u2019t have a choice but to use some of the traditional cameras,\u201d said Chrisitan Gakombe RCC cameraman.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that he is disappointed to use low quality equipment because they\u2019re not fit for modern production which frustrates him given the skills he has acquired from several trainings abroad on how to use professional cameras.<\/p>\n
Reacting to that assertion, Redempter Batete, the Director of Planning and Policy at the ministry of youth noted that the ministry has the will to promote local film industry if the filmmakers unite and consolidate their ideas.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf only they would unite and send us a credible proposal, who knows the advantages they would get? She wondered, adding that financing their activities would be followed by easing taxes on necessary equipment for film industry which is making a commendable progress.<\/p>\n
She further revealed that the ministry has a project to promote film talent at the Kimisagara Youth Centre which is open to interested people.
\nYet lack of sophisticated tools is not the only challenge. <\/p>\n
Joseph Njanti, a screen writer at RCC noted that though he has acquired most of his skills through experience, getting a mentor to guide him in the profession is still a constraint for him since even the ones available are either expensive or inaccessible.<\/p>\n
Trying to give a solution to Njanti\u2019s concern, Kayitana was quick to note that lack of mentors was a major problem both for Rwanda and region but insisted that the film institute will try to deliver better studies.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur director who is a professional from German has assured us that he will avail more mentors through his network with some of the renowned film training centers,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n
Eric Kabera the RCC Chief Executive Officer says the rationale for the film school is simple: \u201cWe have over the past seven years trained over 200 young people, with the assistance of partners in Sweden, the USA and elsewhere\u201d
\nKabera explained that at first they invited similar professional trainers to assist those in post graduate classes which covers all aspects of film-making and in the end, Rwanda needs a real film school. <\/p>\n
Moreover the school will not focus on Rwanda only because the institute aims at serving the whole region and that is why it was called it Kwetu , a Swahili word meaning home of the East Africa Community according to Kabera.<\/p>\n
\u201cA cinema is a social and cultural tool that can promote cohesion and integration within the region. We want to create a form of cultural expression from this part of the world \u2013 apart from the Nigerian film industry- Nollywood, there isn\u2019t much.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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