Over the past decade, it has grown from a local event into a cultural beacon that connects, supports, and elevates East African cinema. This year's anniversary edition is particularly special, with fresh initiatives and industry insights, attracting creatives from different countries.
The festival coordinator, Leonel Kayitare, reflected on the growth and regional impact. 'Ten years ago, we started with a simple goal: to build a platform where East African filmmakers could share their stories. Now, we're seeing this platform transform into a community where filmmakers from across the region come together to connect, collaborate, and learn. This 10th anniversary is a celebration of that journey.'
Another major aspect to this year's festival is 'Mashaket,' the Kigali International Content Market, which will run from November 7th to 9th. Designed as a business-to-business (B2B) marketplace, Mashaket allows filmmakers to network with buyers, broadcasters, producers and other industry stakeholders.
Kayitare explained its importance: 'This is where East African cinema meets the world. It's a chance for filmmakers to showcase their work, secure funding, and establish partnerships. It's a space where we're not only telling stories but also creating business opportunities.'
Reflecting on the festival's achievements, Kayitare shared how far the East African film industry has come in the past decade. 'When we started, most submissions came from outside Rwanda, primarily from Uganda and Kenya,' he recalled.
'Today, we're seeing more Rwandan filmmakers stepping up, creating award-winning work that's making a mark across East Africa. It's incredibly rewarding to witness that growth and to know that MAFF has played a role in it,' he added.
Among the attendees is a Ugandan filmmaker Jenipher Nankabirwa, whose experience at last year's festival led her to create a collaborative film project between Uganda and Rwanda.
Nankabirwa, the producer and lead actor of The Head, a new Uganda-Rwanda collaborative film, is thrilled to be back at MAFF this year.
'Attending last year's festival was a huge source of inspiration. It opened my eyes to the potential of cross-border collaborations, and I left with a vision to make a film that would bring Uganda and Rwanda together on screen. I'm so excited that The Head is now a reality, and I can't wait to share it with audiences here in Kigali.'
The Head is a family drama that explores the challenges faced by families when the fathers, who are traditionally seen as heads of households become distant or neglect their roles.
The film depicts a Ugandan mother of three daughters, whose husband, is physically distant despite providing financial support. The strained relationship with her daughters, coupled with her resentment towards her husband, pushes her to organize a family trip to Kigali.
In an unexpected twist, they find the husband in Kigali on a business assignment, and the trip becomes a turning point, as the family reconnects and rediscovers their bond.
The story also introduces the woman's eldest daughter the mother girls who meets a young Rwandan man, during the trip. Their budding connection adds another layer to the story, bridging the two cultures and hinting at a bright future of shared stories and experiences.
Nankabirwa explains that this movie felt like the perfect way to blend Ugandan and Rwandan cultures to tell a story that resonates with families in both countries, something universal yet unique to East Africa. She is glad that MAFF gave her the confidence and platform to pursue her vision.
In addition to inspiring films like The Head, MAFF has expanded its programming this year with new capacity-building opportunities. Workshops developed in collaboration with Youth Connect are being held throughout the week, offering insights into various aspects of filmmaking.
'We're here to support all filmmakers, whether they're just starting out or have been in the industry for years,' Kayitare said. 'These workshops and masterclasses, including those hosted by Sony for cinematographers, provide our filmmakers with the skills they need to create high-quality work that can compete on any stage.'
For attendees like Nankabirwa, MAFF has become an annual highlight and a gathering point for East African filmmakers.
'The festival creates a community. It's a place where we can exchange ideas, share our stories, and find inspiration. There's something incredibly powerful about being in a room filled with people who share the same passion for storytelling,' she said
At the 10th year anniversary, it's clear that the festival has become more than just a showcase, it's a catalyst for collaboration and a launchpad for East African stories.
With this year's grand finale set for November 9th, featuring an awards ceremony to recognize the region's top films, the festival is sure to close on a high note, celebrating a decade of accomplishments and setting the stage for the future of Cinema in Rwanda.
And as Kayitare said, 'This is just the beginning. We're building a foundation that will support our filmmakers for years to come.'
Sam K Nkurunziza
