Rumours of War (Ngunu Ngunu Kan) from Mali, directed by Soussaba Cisse, was chosen as the Best Feature Film at the 2nd Colours of the Nile International Film Festival which ran in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 24 to 31 March. The movie also scooped the awards for Best Cinematography and Original Soundtrack.
The jury comprised of distinguished Nigerian director, Newton I. Aduaka (Rage, Ezra); Salem Merkuria, Ethiopian writer producer, director, videographer and video installation artist; Sudanese independent filmmaker Taghreed Elsanhouri; South African producer and director and Bafta award-winner Xoliswa Sithole (Orphans of Nkandla); German-born Ethiopian director and producer Daniel Taye Worku; and Daniela Rofi, Counsellor of economic and cultural affairs of the European Delegation to Ethiopia.
The jury praised Rumours of War for “capturing in a very personal way a complex story applying a very unique cinematographic style and narrative structure’ and added that the film “reflected a situation that is very prevalent on the continent with great passion and urgency’.
Members of the jury were impressed with the cinematography which was lauded for capturing the ambiance of the film, which “was at times beautiful and verging on the surreal’. The soundtrack captivated the jury as it ‘used organic music which echoed beyond the present to the history of the Malian people as a call for promoting peace and unity’.
The following productions were also awarded:
Best Documentary: President Dia by Ousmane William Mbaye (Senegal)
Best Short Film: Adamt by Zelalem Woldemariam (Ethiopia)
Best Actor: Mugambi Nitenga in Nairobi Half Life (Kenya)
Best Actress: Bertukan Befkadu – Nishan (Ethiopia)
Best Sound: All is Well by Pocas Pascoal (Angola)
Best Screenplay: Virgin Margarida by Licinio Azevedo (Mozambique)
Special mentions went to Uche Nwadili for her performance in B for Boy, and the Tanzanian film Zamora for its captivating camera work.
The 2nd Colours of the Nile International Film Festival is organised by Blue Nile Film and Television Academy in partnership with the Ethiopian Filmmakers Association. The festival is made possible with the generous support of the European Union, Institut Francais, UNESCO, Organisation Internationale dela Francophonie, Alliance Ethio-francaisd’Addis-Abab, Embassy of the Republic of France in Addis Ababa, Embassy of the Republic of France in Kenya, The Italian Cultural Institute, Timret Lehiwot Ethiopia, W/Loul Travel and Tour, Reporter News Paper, KETA Printers Plc and Leyu Design.
