{"id":56582,"date":"2025-12-19T10:28:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:28:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/a-new-dawn-for-film-industry-as-rwanda-joins-countries-hosting-ikon-awards\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T10:26:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:26:36","slug":"a-new-dawn-for-film-industry-as-rwanda-joins-countries-hosting-ikon-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/a-new-dawn-for-film-industry-as-rwanda-joins-countries-hosting-ikon-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"A new dawn for film industry as Rwanda joins countries hosting iKON Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The launch ceremony, held in Kigali recently, marked Rwanda\u2019s debut as a host country for the prestigious awards, which recognize filmmakers, actors and other key contributors shaping Africa\u2019s growing cinema industry. Rwanda becomes the fourth country to host iKON Activate in 2025, following earlier editions in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda.<\/p>\n<p>iKON Activate serves as a precursor to the main iKON Awards ceremony, creating a platform to connect filmmakers, media professionals, policymakers and private investors. The initiative focuses on discussions around collaboration, investment opportunities and the sustainable growth of Africa\u2019s film sector.<\/p>\n<p>The iKON Awards 2026 will be held under the theme \u201cBeyond Borders\u201d, highlighting African storytelling and encouraging cross-border collaboration among filmmakers on the continent. The theme reflects iKON\u2019s broader mission of positioning African cinema on the global stage while fostering unity across national film industries.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking at the event, Humphrey Nabimanya, the Chief Executive Officer of iKON Awards, said Kigali was selected because of Rwanda\u2019s growing reputation as a hub for creativity and innovation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe want to tell African stories through collaboration,\u201d Nabimanya said. \u201cNational film industries play a crucial role in shaping how Africa is presented to the world, just as other creative sectors have done successfully.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He added that Kigali is emerging as one of the promising centres for cinema in East Africa, noting that iKON Activate provides a unique space where filmmakers, government institutions and private sector players can align efforts to boost investment and partnerships within the industry.<\/p>\n<p>Previous iKON Activate editions have already yielded tangible results. The inaugural event in Nigeria brought together prominent filmmakers from Nigeria and Uganda, film associations and industry stakeholders, including Directors Guild of Nigeria President Uche Agbo, Viva Cinemas Nigeria\u2019s Patrick Lee, representatives from FDAN, and renowned actor and director Ramsey Nouah.<\/p>\n<p>As a result of these engagements, iKON signed a collaboration agreement with veteran Ugandan actor Michael Wawuyo Sr., who will feature in an upcoming Nigerian film titled Dambe, directed by Ramsey Nouah and produced by Sauti Plus Media Hub.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, iKON launched a joint Uganda\u2013Kenya film project under the O3plus Project, supported by Reach A Hand Uganda, Imara TV and UNESCO. The film addresses pressing youth challenges, including gender-based violence and teenage pregnancies, demonstrating iKON\u2019s commitment to using cinema as a tool for social change.<\/p>\n<p>Rwandan filmmaker Ndayirukiye Fleury \u2018The Legend\u2019, founder of BahAfrica and husband to acclaimed actress Usanase Bahavu Jannet, welcomed the arrival of iKON Awards in Rwanda. He said local filmmakers were encouraged by the transparency and professionalism of the awards.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter understanding how the awards operate \u2014 from the selection process to the jury system \u2014 we were convinced they are fair and credible,\u201d he said. \u201cThat is why we are willing to participate if our films meet the required standards.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He revealed that Rwanda has already submitted 26 films to compete in the upcoming iKON Awards, a sign of the country\u2019s growing confidence and ambition within the continental film industry.<\/p>\n<p>With Kigali now part of the iKON Awards journey, Rwanda\u2019s film sector stands to gain increased visibility, stronger partnerships and new opportunities on the African and global cinema stage.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99386\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/ikon_awards_ni_bimwe_mu_bihembo_bya_sinema_bimaze_kubaka_izina_muri_afurika-d797c.jpg\" alt=\"The iKON Awards has established itself as one of the most prestigious film awards in Africa.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99387\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/uhereye_ibumoso_kimenyi_tito_fleury_legend_kemnique_uzwi_mu_bakoresha_x_ndetse_na_rukundo_patrick_wamamaye_nka_patycope_ku_mbuga_nkoranyambaga_ni_bamwe_mu_bari_bitabiriye_iki_gikorwa-317bc.jpg\" alt=\"From left to right: Kimenyi Tito, Fleury Legend, Kemnique and Rukundo Patrick, also known as Patycope on social media, were some of the attendees at the iKON Awards.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99388\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/mucyo_jackson_utegura_ibihembo_bya_rwanda_international_movie_awards_yagaragaje_ko_ikon_awards_izafasha_mu_kuzamura_urwego_rwa_sinema_mu_rwanda_no_muri_afurika_muri_rusange-e271d.jpg\" alt=\"Mucyo Jackson, the organizer of the Rwanda International Movie Awards, emphasized that the iKON Awards will play a crucial role in advancing the film industry in Rwanda and across Africa.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99389\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/umukinnyi_wa_filime_mpuzamahanga_mazimpaka_jonns_kennedy_ni_umwe_mu_bitabiriye-1eaff.jpg\" alt=\"International film actor, Mazimpaka Jonns Kennedy, was also among the attendees.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99390\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/umukinnyi_wa_filime_mpuzamahanga_malaika_uwamahoro_uri_iburyo_ni_umwe_mu_bari_bitabiriye-c40d2.jpg\" alt=\"International film actor, Malaika Uwamahoro (on the right), was one of the distinguished guests in attendance.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99385\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/isaac_rucabigango_uri_mu_bagize_uruhare_muri_ikon_awards_yavuze_ko_ibi_bihembo_byagiye_bitangirwa_muri_uganda_ariko_ko_kuri_iyi_nshuro_bahisemo_ko_bigera_hirya_no_hino_muri_afurika-ffb78.jpg\" alt=\"Isaac Rucabigango, a key figure behind the iKON Awards, shared that while these awards have traditionally been held in Uganda, this time they decided to bring them to various parts of Africa.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99384\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/fleury_na_scott_wamamaye_cyane_muri_filime_nyinshi_zigezweho_muri_iki_gihe_ni_bamwe_mu_bari_bitabiriye_imurikwa_ry_ibi_bihembo-5236f.jpg\" alt=\"Fleury and &#039;Scott,&#039; both well-known for their roles in many popular films, were among the guests at the iKON Awards launch event.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-99383\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/_fleury_legend_utanganya_filime_nyinshi_binyuze_muri_bahafrica_yavuze_ko_bemeye_kuzahatana_mu_bihembo_ikon_awards_kubera_imikorere_yabyo-9f832.jpg\" alt=\"&#039;Fleury Legend,&#039; a film producer through BahAfrica, expressed that they agreed to participate in the iKON Awards due to the excellent organization of the event.\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rwanda has officially joined the list of African countries hosting iKON Awards, an initiative that celebrates excellence and innovation in the film industry, as Kigali welcomed the launch of iKON Activate activities for the first time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":2000099382,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[75],"byline":[170],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-56582","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-homenews","byline-igihe"],"bylines":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"contributors":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"featured_image":{"id":2000099382,"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/ikon_awards_ni_bimwe_mu_bihembo_bya_sinema_bimaze_kubaka_izina_muri_afurika-d797c.jpg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":0,"height":0,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/ikon_awards_ni_bimwe_mu_bihembo_bya_sinema_bimaze_kubaka_izina_muri_afurika-d797c.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/ikon_awards_ni_bimwe_mu_bihembo_bya_sinema_bimaze_kubaka_izina_muri_afurika-d797c.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/ikon_awards_ni_bimwe_mu_bihembo_bya_sinema_bimaze_kubaka_izina_muri_afurika-d797c.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/ikon_awards_ni_bimwe_mu_bihembo_bya_sinema_bimaze_kubaka_izina_muri_afurika-d797c.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/ikon_awards_ni_bimwe_mu_bihembo_bya_sinema_bimaze_kubaka_izina_muri_afurika-d797c.jpg","width":0,"height":0}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56582","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56582"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56582\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000099382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56582"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56582"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56582"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=56582"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=56582"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}