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Mashariki festival comeback

Wednesday March 20 2019
mashirika

One of Mashariki African Film Festival’s past film screening exercises. PHOTO | ANDREW I. KAZIBWE

By ANDREW I KAZIBWE

The Mashariki African Film Festival has attracted renowned film makers form across the globe to show case their work.

Dedicated to celebrate African films, Mashariki African Film Festival will kick off on March 24 and end on March 31. The week-long festival has attracted participants from 14 countries.

Activities at the festivals are workshops, film screenings, awarding of the best films and networking sessions.

This year’s theme cinema to enlighten humanity is in line with the 25 Commemoration of the Genocide Against Tutsis.

The festival will further encompass reflection on the role of media in Rwanda’s dark past.

“We will discuss the role of media in the Genocide Against Tutsis, which we believe needs to be discussed with younger generation to see how we could learn from this,” said Tressor Senga, the festival founder and director.

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Participants drawn from Rwanda, Tunisia, Kenya, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Tanzania, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Mozambique, DRC, Mali and Burundi have confirmed attendance.

In the past four editions, the festival hosted experts like Gerald Lichen, a Canadian film maker, legendary film maker Moussa Touré (Senegal), Olivier Barlet (France), Aurélien Bodinaux (Belgium), Ffibby Kioria, the Maisha film lab director, Moses Serugo, a Ugandan film journalist.

Over 1083 films which were submitted, only 93 made the cut this year, and will be screened throughout the entire week.

This edition also will award outstanding filmmakers under categories like East African best film, best feature film, best documentary film, best actor, best actress, best cinematographer, best Rwandan feature and short film. Lack of sponsorship has been identified as a major hurdle to ensure more film makers attend the festival to showcase their work.

The organisers noted that sponsors are needed to support workshops, screening of films in various parts of Rwanda and grand finale events.