Rwandan filmmakers aren’t just telling their own stories — they are winning international awards, featuring at major festivals, and captivating global audiences. 

For many years, Rwanda was mostly known to the world through a tragic lens — the 1994 Genocide left deep scars, and for a long time, global narratives focused heavily on that history. However, over the past two decades, Rwanda has embarked on a remarkable journey of healing, rebuilding, and redefining itself.  

One of the most vibrant signs of this transformation is the rise of Rwandan cinema, popularly nicknamed “Hillywood,” a clever play on Hollywood and “Land of a Thousand Hills.” 

Rwandan filmmakers aren’t just telling their own stories — they are winning international awards, featuring at major festivals, and capturing global audiences with fresh, authentic voices. But how did Rwandan cinema get here? And what makes it stand out on the world stage? 

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The Genocide Memorial in Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo: Adam Jones)

The birth of Hillywood 

The term "Hillywood" was coined in the early 2000s, to describe the growing local film industry rising from the hills of Rwanda. At the heart of this movement was the Rwanda Film Festival, founded in 2005 by filmmaker Eric Kabera, who also directed the acclaimed documentary Keepers of Memory. 

Rwanda’s first film festival wasn’t confined to fancy theaters – it was a traveling festival that brought cinema to the people. Films were projected on inflatable screens in rural villages, town squares, and stadiums. For many Rwandans, it was their first experience watching a movie at all. This grassroots approach planted the seed of a homegrown film culture that took pride in its own voices and experiences. 

Telling Rwandan stories 

In the early years, much of Rwandan cinema naturally grappled with the legacy of the genocide. Films like Sometimes in April (directed by Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck) and Hotel Rwanda (directed by Terry George) were made by international directors but helped open global eyes to Rwanda’s past. 

As Hillywood matured, local filmmakers began to broaden their narratives. Instead of being defined solely by the genocide, they started to explore themes like love, family, traditions, social issues, gender roles, technology, and dreams for the future. Slowly but surely, Rwandan cinema moved from a space of trauma to one of hope, complexity, and creativity. 

Movies like Grey Matter (Matière Grise) by Kivu Ruhorahoza challenged traditional storytelling, blending art-house styles with deeply personal themes of mental health and healing. The Mercy of the Jungle (La Miséricorde de la Jungle), directed by Joël Karekezi, went on to win the top prize at the FESPACO festival in Burkina Faso, Africa’s most prestigious film competition. 

The rise of a new generation 

Today, a new generation of Rwandan filmmakers is leading the charge. They are tech-savvy, globally connected, and unafraid to experiment with genres — from drama and comedy to horror and science fiction. 

Institutions like the Kigali Film and Television School have played a critical role, offering young people training in scriptwriting, directing, editing, and production. Streaming platforms and mobile technologies have also made it easier than ever to make and distribute films on a shoestring budget. 

Many Rwandan filmmakers work with counterparts in neighboring countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, creating a vibrant East African film ecosystem that is catching the world’s attention. What’s more, Rwanda has become an attractive filming location for international productions. Its breathtaking landscapes, political stability, and government support for the arts have made it a hidden gem for filmmakers from all over the world. 

Hillywood on the global stage 

Rwandan cinema has already made a splash internationally. The Mercy of the Jungle premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was later screened at the Venice Biennale. Kivu Ruhorahoza's Things of the Aimless Wanderer featured at the Sundance Film Festival, one of the world's most respected showcases for independent cinema. 

The universal themes explored in these films — things like migration, identity, survival and reconciliation — connected deeply with global audiences. International awards and festival selections are helping boost visibility, but they also provide funding, distribution opportunities, and inspiration for the next wave of filmmakers. 

The road ahead 

Of course, the industry is still young and faces challenges. Funding remains a significant hurdle. Many filmmakers work with minimal budgets, relying on grants, partnerships, or crowdfunding. Infrastructure also has a way to go: professional studios, post-production facilities, and cinema halls aren’t especially easy to access, especially outside of Kigali. 

There's also the challenge of creating a filmgoing culture. While urban youth are increasingly embracing Rwandan movies, reaching rural audiences and competing with global entertainment giants like Netflix and YouTube remains an uphill battle. 

That said, momentum is strong. Government initiatives like the Rwanda Arts Initiative and partnerships with international film bodies are helping build capacity. Hillywood is no longer just a clever nickname; it’s becoming a recognized symbol of Rwanda’s creative power, a reminder that sometimes the most powerful stories come from places you might not expect — places where hills rise, hope shines, and voices soar.