Nigeria: Rwandan Student Film Wins International Award

Kigali/Nigeria, November 22, 2025 - A group of Rwandan students won an international award at the International Students’ Film Festival in Nigeria for their film ‘Forgotten Frame’, which tells the story of a disabled child rejected by his father who later becomes famous.

The film brought together more than 40 students from Mount Kigali University and was directed by their teacher, Apollo Dusabimana O’Keefe, Secretary General of the Rwanda Film Association, who accompanied them to the festival.

The story follows a child born with a disability, whose father rejects him, unaware of the child’s talent. Migambi Elite Alexis, who wrote the film, said the award inspired him to work harder, marking his first international project.

He said, “Winning an award at the African level is a joy and a strength. You represent the country, and bringing back an award shows that things are possible.”

Nsabimana Elissa, a student involved in the project, said she initially doubted the film would reach African recognition, but the guidance of their director with over 20 years of experience showed them that nothing is impossible.

During the screening in Nigeria, the jury members were moved to tears, impressed by the message of the film, Dusabimana explained.

He added, “We competed in the humanities category. Everyone cried. Our film stood out because of the message it conveyed.”

The festival featured about 250 films from different universities, and the Rwandan team faced strong competition. The film highlighted African life and experiences, which resonated with the jury.

Following the festival, the students secured a partnership with the Nigerian Filmmakers Association to bring Nigerian actors and trainers to Rwanda. Dusabimana said, “Next year, we hope to implement this training program to develop the film industry in Rwanda.”

The production and editing of the film took 10 months and cost between 6 million and 8.5 million Rwandan francs (Rwf).