The film will be shown in the Forum section of the festival, which is scheduled to run from February 13 to 23, 2025.
Sharangabo told IGIHE that he and a team of about 10 who worked on the film will arrive in Germany on February 12, 2025, a day before the screening.
He expressed his pride in having his film showcased at Berlinale, marking its official premiere and giving film enthusiasts the opportunity to watch it in theatres afterwards.
'I am very happy, and what I can tell people is that this will be the film's first public screening. After this, it will start being shown in different places. It's a significant step for Rwandan cinema and a result of the daily efforts and struggles we go through. I'm grateful and appreciate everyone who contributed to making this project successful,' he said.
Minimals in a Titanic World is Sharangabo's first feature film, centred around Anita, a dancer aspiring to turn her passion into a professional career.
After being imprisoned due to misconduct, Anita returns to a life of performing music and dancing in a nightclub. However, she receives heartbreaking news about the death of her lover, Serge.
As her friends support her through grief, Anita meets Shema, Serge's close friend, and the two form a bond that helps her find solace and refocus on building her life as a songwriter.
Set in contemporary Kigali, the film explores themes of ambition, love, loss, and the struggle of young people trying to achieve their dreams while navigating life's uncertainties.
The film features actors Aline Amike, Niyigena 'Rwasibo Joe' Jean Pierre, Ganza Moise, Nasser Makala, and Alice Amike.
Key contributors to the film include Samuel Ishimwe Karemangingo and Nasser Naizi, who handled cinematography, while Kivu Ruhorahoza was responsible for editing. The film's music was composed by Amin Goudarzi, with Amadou Massaer Ndiaye overseeing sound design. Carine Umunyana led the production design, shaping the film's visual aesthetic. The production team was led by Sharangabo, alongside Samuel Ishimwe Karemangingo, Remy Ryumugabe, Didacienne Nibagwire, Alexander Wadouh, Roxana Richters, and Augustine Moukodi.
The film was co-produced by Imitana Productions and Iyugi Productions, both based in Kigali, along with Chromosom Film in Berlin and Zili Studios in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Sharangabo, the film's creator, is also the organizer of the Kigali CineJunction Festival, which has been held twice in Rwanda since its launch in 2023.
The Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), established in 1951 and held in February since 1978, is widely considered one of the world's most prestigious film festivals, alongside Cannes and Venice.
In addition to Berlinale, Minimals in a Titanic World is also competing in the feature film category at the Festival Panafricain du cinéma et de la télévision de Ouagadougou (FESPACO), which will take place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from February 22 to March 1, 2025, for its 29th edition.
FESPACO is the most prestigious film festival in Africa and has been hosted in Ouagadougou every two years since 1972.
IGIHE
