ALMONDTREEFILMS RWANDA

Almond Tree Films Rwanda is a production company located in the Samaduha neighborhood of Kigali. It produces short and feature films (documentary and narrative), and produces work for local clients. The company is partially sustainable through its clientele work (weddings, church videos, advertisements, music videos) and also relies on grants and donations from generous contributors.

The company was founded by the Rwandese collaborators of the film MUNYURANGABO along with the film's director, Lee Isaac Chung. Click here to read Chung's essay on the ongoing project to create a vibrant national cinema in Rwanda.

Click here for the Almond Tree Films Rwanda Official Website

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS:

-MAIBOBO (2010), a short film directed by Yves Montand Niyongabo premiered at the 2010 Rotterdam Film Festival. Watch the trailer here.

-DIRTY SUIT (2010), a short film directed by Noel Munyurangabo premiered at the 2010 Rotterdam Film Festival. More information on dirty suit is here.

-LONG COAT (2009), a feature film directed by Edouard Bamporiki was winner of the Focus Features "Africa First" grant program. The film will play at the Lincoln Center in New York for the 17th New York African Film Festival.

-In 2010, documentary Filmmaker Pia Sawhney featured Almond Tree Films Rwanda in her documentary "Rwanda: Take Two"

SCHOLARSHIPS:

Almond Tree Films [us] connects donors with students in Rwanda in the hope that all of its Almond Tree Films Rwanda members can complete a necessary education. We greenlight Almond Tree Films Rwanda members to continue their education once we have secured enough donations to make it possible. Typically, the education expenses range from $800 per year to $5000 per year depending on the circumstance. While we prefer donors to commit to the completion of one student's education (two to four years of education), we are also open to small one-time gifts that we can combine with other donations to send a student back to school.

Almond Tree Films Rwanda was started with young persons who, through difficult circumstances, were unable to complete their education. Our members are bright, hard working, and successful when given the chance. Thank you for all of the support thusfar.

Recent News: Jean Bosco Nshimiyimana and Jean Luc "Fils" Habyarimana completed their secondary school educations, and in January of 2010, Fils was awarded a national prize for his high final examination scores.

ONGOING NEEDS:

Equipment: Copy machine, fax machine, office computer, new tripod

Office rent: Because of the poor economy, the Almond Tree Films Rwanda office has been struggling to pay rent. ($200/month)

Scholarships:
-Living expenses for Jean Kwezi, manager of Almond Tree Films Rwanda (his tuition at a Kigali business school has been covered, and he needs living expenses for the next three years, approximately $3600 per year)
-Laptop computers for Yves Montand Niyongabo (currently sponsored to attend law school) and Jean Kwezi. Budget is $500 each, or well working, good condition used laptop donations are also welcome.
-Secondary school and college tuition: ongoing

DONATIONS:

Please contact us at info@almondtreefilms.com for scholarship, equipment, or monetary donations. Donations over $100 are tax deductible through our fiscal sponsor. We also welcome small donations of anything you can provide, (eg $5, $25, $50). The small donations add up and are very helpful! Our paypal address is info@almondtreefilms.com; please stipulate in your contribution that this is for the Almond Tree Films Rwanda initiative.

CONTACT US

email:info@almondtreefilms.com

Click here for the Almond Tree Films Rwanda Official Website