Africa News

Rwandan film institute re-launches

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:22

MARTIN CHEMHERE writes… Kigali based Kwetu Film Institute (KFI), in operation since January 2009, was recently re-launched at an occasion attended by a delegation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

This organisation is one of KFI’s main partners and an AMPAS-designed curriculum has been donated to the school.

“Previously we had to hire classrooms and editing suites but we now have our own complex that houses classrooms, labs and mentors’ apartments. This will enable the institute to offer evening classes that have become popular for many youths,” says KFI administrator Joseph Njata.

He adds that the institute’s instructors, all experts in various fields of media, offer professional, hands-on media and film training programmes founded upon solid academic criteria.

Njata, a freelance filmmaker / journalist, doubles up as a scriptwriting instructor at the institute. Other teachers include some of East Africa’s biggest filmmaking names such as Eric Kabera (Africa United), Kivu Ruhorahoza (Grey Matter) and actor Kennedy Mazimpaka (100 Days).

Certificates are obtained after three months of training that covers all departments in filmmaking. Towards the end of the programme participants shoot short films. Plans are at an advanced stage to offer two-year diploma courses starting from September 2012.

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