BEN’IMANA, a film by Rwandan filmmaker Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo, has become the first film to represent Rwanda in the race for the Oscars, one of the most prestigious awards in international cinema.
The film is Dusabejambo’s first feature-length production. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in France in May 2026, where it won the Caméra d’Or, an award recognising first feature films.
Following its Cannes premiere, BEN’IMANA is scheduled to open in French cinemas on February 3, 2027.
Set in 2012, in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the film explores the lives of genocide survivors, justice and reconciliation through the Gacaca courts.
The story centres on Vénéranda, a genocide survivor who believes the Gacaca courts were necessary to deliver justice and help Rwandans on the path to reconciliation.
Despite facing pressure, Vénéranda continues organising meetings between genocide survivors and the families of perpetrators, seeking to encourage dialogue and help both sides work towards reconciliation.
However, after discovering that her daughter is unexpectedly pregnant, she faces challenges that force her to re-examine herself, confront her emotions and grapple with painful aspects of her personal history.
Through Vénéranda’s story, BEN’IMANA explores the challenges of confronting historical trauma, seeking justice and building reconciliation within families.
