Eric Kabera is the founder of the KWETU Film Institute. He was conspicuously absent at the opening ceremony. while speaking on phone that was relayed to the students, Eric had this to say “Today is the first day of the first tv, art and film school in Rwanda. the KWETU Film Institute, and I am SO disappointed not to be with you in person. Every single moment of this opening has been playing on my mind and although it is most upsetting for me to be a few thousand miles away from you, I am delighted that today has arrived at last and that you have enrolled and are now committed to jump on board this magnificent ship of dreams, aspirations and creativity.
This is a place which will not only be for learning but also be an important place for cultural exchange with the rest of the world.
Thank you once again to the team of Kwetu film institute, pastor alice my dear wife, and kids all of whom have put up with the pressure of this heavy project, my team Fabrice, jack,Venuste,joseph, appolo Patrick, Jojo, ghislain, gilain and all the others who have worked for days and nights to see this day happen.
Of course, the big thank you goes to our bank brd who have trust in us by investing in this creative industry. Thank you jack, Bosco and all others at Brd.
A huge support and endorsement from the academy of motion picture arts and science, is making all the difference, Our team from hollywood, have given us the curriculum for our institute, and this is a huge input for which we give them many thanks.
Thanks also to the visiting mentors and supporters such as Monica and Philip Rosenthal who have provided the space for the theater which is under construction, Jon turtelataub, Volker, Sida, UNDP the government of rwanda through the ministry of youth sports and culture, wda and the many who have shown interest in working with the institute. They are all hugely thanked on this very special day.
As you can see this is not a place for education alone, but this is your home. We have rooms for those coming from outside rwanda and those in rwanda who need to have a restful and comfortable evening in the creative space of art and cinema. For each one of you out there who wants to be part of this cultural and creative industry in rwanda, we say Karibu to the Kwetu film institute, which in english means welcome to kwetu.
I hope to be well enough to travel this Friday and so I shall see you in 5 days time. Meanwhile you must look after our precious yellow building.
Thank you so much, one and all”.
Eric Kabera
Founder
kwetu film institute 