What is a film market?

A film market is an event where filmmakers showcase their films, network with industry insiders, and explore potential distribution and collaboration opportunities.​​​​​​​

Over 35 delegates from Uganda led by Tyaba Charles the general secretary of the Uganda Film Association are in Rwanda attending the first film market organized by Masahriki Africa Film Festival under the umbrella name Masaharkt.

​​​​​​​Selling a film or any other intellectual property like a script, an original composition or a soundtrack is one of the hardest things in Uganda and whenever such opportunities arise, filmmakers and other creatives are at the forefront to make the opportunities count.

MashaRket,' the first film market in Rwanda, aims to connect local writers, filmmakers, and other stakeholders in the sector with investors, content buyers, and distributors, who are willing to collaborate with different filmmakers to produce and distribute content on major platforms such as Dstv, Azam Tv, Netflix, Amazon and so much more.

The festival kicked off Saturday, November 25, at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV) and attracted key players in the film industry in the country and international guests from different countries.

State Minister at the Ministry of Youth Sandrine Umutoni, was among the many dignitaries who attended the screening of EONII a science fiction film shot in Dar es Salam - Tanzania. The screenplay is written by Razaq Mzale. With cinematography by Eddie Mzale & Adam Juma. It's produced by Power Brush Studios and Azam Media.

Giving her remarks at the film market, Minister for Youth and ICT, Paula Ingabire shared the importance of networking, collaboration, and the use of technology in this era. She expressed the willingness of Rwanda as a country to collaborate, tax fee incentives, and open opportunities for partnerships with other creatives in other countries.

A total of 72 films were selected for screening at this year's festival. They were selected in three main categories namely long feature, best documentary, and best short film, and a Ugandan film titled “ The Passenger” was among them.

The film tells the story of a young man who tries to deliver a mysterious package to the city on a bus but another passenger thinks he is a killer carrying a mutilated body or bomb and is determined to stop him.

Filmmakers need more of such opportunities to network, collaborate, and sign partnership deals.