Jean‑Bernard “J.B.” Rutagarama is more than a filmmaker—he’s a survivor, a witness, and a mentor reshaping Rwanda’s post-genocide narrative, frame by frame. From the ashes of trauma, he emerged as a visual storyteller committed to healing, justice, and memory.


In Goma’s refugee camps, he worked as a translator and assistant to international journalists. One day, a cameraman let him look through the viewfinder—an experience he credits as igniting his passion for filmmaking.

Discovering a new language—Through film

Rutagarama went on to study media production, cinematography, and photography at Newcastle University in England. During his final year, he returned to Rwanda after six years and filmed a deeply personal video diary. This became the documentary Back Home (2006), his dissertation project turned public testimony.

Back home: Memory as a medium

Back Home blends archival footage, intimate interviews with his family, and glimpses of Rwanda’s gacaca justice system. The film, approximately 72 minutes long, premiered at AFI Fest in 2006 and earned special recognition from the festival jury. As one of the first documentaries by a Rwandan genocide survivor, it has since been used widely in human rights and reconciliation contexts.

Professional career & cinematic civic duty

Since moving to the U.S., Rutagarama has worked as a cinematographer and photographer for NBC Universal, splitting his time between New York and Los Angeles. He describes his work as a moral duty—a way of honoring those who didn’t survive and giving back to his homeland.

Mentorship & building Rwanda’s film ecosystem

During a 2017 visit to Rwanda, Rutagarama met young, self-taught filmmakers eager to learn. He returned in 2018 with professional cinema equipment and led a workshop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, originally intended for 15—but expanded to 20 participants due to demand. Hosted in partnership with Rwanda Polytechnic–Kigali College’s ICT Innovation Center and Africa Digital Media Academy (ADMA), the workshop provided hands-on training in cinematography, lighting, and sound. Alumni now contribute to international and local film productions.

Notable screen credits

2006: Back Home (Director, Cinematographer, Writer)
2012: Alaska Is a Drag (short) (Steadicam Operator)
2013: The Short Game (Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator)
2015: Can You Dig This (Cinematographer)
2016: Volcano (short) (Cinematographer)
2022 : Triple A (short)( Director, Cinematographer, Executive Producer)
2023 : Bonding (short)( Drone Cinematographer, Associate Producer)
2023: Superpower (Cinematographer)

Strengthening Rwanda’s film future

In Rwanda’s film sector, limited access to professional equipment and training has posed significant challenges. Rutagarama’s annual workshops offer direct solutions—equipping aspiring filmmakers with tools, knowledge, and industry connections. The result: a rising cadre of local storytellers contributing to both national and global cinema.

Now working across Rwanda and the U.S., Rutagarama continues to develop films that explore human rights, resilience, and the long-lasting effects of conflict. For him, filmmaking isn’t solely about remembering—it’s about responsibility.

“It’s a promise… to never forget, to always teach, and to keep telling stories that matter.”