THE BASICS...

“Film Festival: Rwanda” is a documentary feature that follows Rwandan filmmakers producing their own films, and screening them in remote villages for thousands of people.  For many Rwandans, this is the first time they’ve seen a film, let alone one in their local language, “Kinyarwanda”.

Rather than re-examining the past, these young storytellers are using film to project a positive vision of their country’s future.  Their motivation, energy and creativity, inspired us to start following them in November, 2007.

CURRENT GOALS...

1.) Secure funding for one last trip to Rwanda to complete filming in 2009

2.) To contribute to Rwanda’s film industry by teaching film workshops, training film students during our production, and donating as much gear/equipment as possible.

3.) TO LISTEN, LAUGH, AND LEARN.

4.) To find wide distribution for our film and give our storytellers an international voice.

PRODUCTION CALENDAR TO DATE...

June 2007

-Idea for this film was born while Chris and Leah were at Bourbon Coffee shop in Rwanda.

November 2007

-Crew travels to Rwanda for 5 day “scouting trip”.

January 2008

-Mike edits 3-minute promotional teaser.

-Little Films donates 3-minute commercial teaser.

February 2008

-Northwest Film Forum becomes our NON-PROFIT FISCAL SPONSOR

March 2008

-Crew TRAVELS TO RWANDA for 10 days of filming.

June 2008

-All footage is digitized; Chris begins transcriptions.

August 2008

-Fundraising for final trip to Rwanda and post-production.

Sept. - Nov. 2008

-Little Films completes a 10-minute and 30-minute cut.

February 2009

-OPEN AIR CINEMA donates an inflatable screen to our

project and Ruthie Luban has the first screening of our

footage for an audience in her backyard.

July 2009

-Morrie Warshawski comes to Seattle for filmmaker workshops - all proceeds donated to our film!

-Fundraising continues for FINAL TRIP TO RWANDA - hopefully this FALL!

Sept. 18, 2009

-We receive our first grant from the PACIFIC PIONEER FUND! This is matched by an investor, and we begin planning the final trip to Rwanda to complete filming.

-Fundraising continues for lawyer and accountant fees.

Jan. 9 - 21, 2010

-Small crew prepares to travel to Rwanda to complete filming interviews and “day-in-the-life” scenarios with our main characters.

Feb. - March, 2010

-Return to Seattle and start applying for grants for post production.  Continue to have meeting with potential sponsors and investors. Looking for people to host fundraising houseparties.

March 10, 2010

-Fundraising and social networking campaign launched on IndieGoGo to try and raise $7500 for our editor to start working.