Kivu Ruhorahoza’s documentary film, Les Murmures, won third place in the Short Documentary Film category at the 29th edition of the Festival Panafricain du cinéma et de la télévision de Ouagadougou (FESPACO), held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from February 22 to March 1, 2025.

The film earned the “Poulain de Bronze Court Métrage Documentaire” award, which is presented to the best short documentary. Les Murmures explores the life of a prisoner preparing to reintegrate into society after serving their sentence.

At 43, Kivu Ruhorahoza, an acclaimed filmmaker, director, screenwriter, and producer, is known internationally for his thought-provoking films. This recognition further solidifies his position as one of Rwanda’s leading figures in the film industry.

In addition to Ruhorahoza’s success, Burkina Faso’s Dany Kouyaté won the prestigious “Étalon de Yennenga” award, the main prize of FESPACO, for his 2024 film Katanga, La Danse Des Scorpions. This is Kouyaté’s third time winning the award, making him one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of FESPACO. Previous winners from Burkina Faso include Idrissa Ouédraogo (1991) and Gaston Kaboré (1997). In 2019, the award was won by Rwandan filmmaker Joël Karekezi for Mercy of the Jungle.

Other notable achievements for Rwandan filmmakers this year include Myriam Uwiragiye Birara’s film The Briade, which won the “Prix Spécial UNFPA” during the festival’s award night on February 28, 2025. Additionally, the film Augure, featuring Rwandan actor Umuhire Eliane, received recognition. Augure was directed and written by Congolese filmmaker Baloji Tshiani.

Other Rwandan films that competed in the festival include Nyampeta, DIDY by Gaël Kamilindi, Phiona, La Fille De Madrid by Mutiganda Wa Nkunda, Minimals in a Titanic World by Philbert Aimé Mbabazi Sharangabo, and Relative by Deus Dedit Sangwa, though they did not receive awards.

A special mention goes to the film Fight Like a Girl by Matthew Leutwyler, which features South African actress Ama Qamata, known for her role in Netflix’s Blood & Water, alongside Rwandans Mazimpaka Jones Kennedy, Arthur Nkusi, Malaika Uwamahoro, Simon Rwema, Bahari Ruth, and Aline Amike.