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BFC to Shoot Documentary
In 1972, conflict within Burundi forced hundreds of thousands people to flee their homes to neighbouring Tanzania. Although Burundi has returned to relative stability in the last few years, 220,000 Burundian refugees still occupy what are called the Old Settlements in Tanzania. In the coming months, these people will look to voluntarily repatriate to their country of origin, integrate locally into Tanzania or find a new home altogether. Our documentary will offer a small picture into each of these situations to try and help the world understand one of the longest and most protracted refugee situations in the world.
Jessie Thomson, a senior analyst from The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, approached the BFC in March 2008 to collaborate on a proposal for the Global Youth Fellowship. Her application was successful, providing a means to purchase much needed equipment for the project. The Fellowship will also involve Thomson writing a best practices study of efforts underway to resolve the long-standing situation with the view of informing other situations.
BFC students and co-founder Raymond Kalisa will shoot the documentary starting October 13, 2008, with additional help from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The goal is to present the research and documentary to at a major UNHCR meeting in Geneva in December 2008.
Most importantly, all equipment purchased for the project will remain in Burundi and be part of the BFC’s own sustainable presence in Bujumbura.
Winner of Emerging Filmmaker Award at TIFF
Congratulations to Linda Kamuntu, director of the BFC short film "Nothing's the Same", for winning the Fidel Goetz Emerging Filmmaker Award at The Inigo Film Festival (TIFF) in Sydney, Australia! The festival runs during World Youth Day - an event that will bring more people to Australia than the 2000 Olympics. Learn more.
BFC Film Get TV Debut In U.S.A.
Residents of Tampa, Florida will get to watch all five BFC films, plus two of the mini-documentaries, this September on The Education Channel – a private non-profit organization. The films will also play as part of the Independents’ Film Festival in Tampa – learn more.
BFC Films Inspire Award
The Bayou City Inspriational Film Festival in Houston, Texas (USA), has awarded all five of the BFC short films with the 'Best Student Film Series'. A big thank you to the BCIFF jury and the everyone at the festival who came out to see the films. Read about it here.
Culture Swap in Ireland
The Burundi Film Center is pleased to support the Eglinton Cinema Club in Galway City, Ireland. Refugees from over 20 countries share culture through film while staying at the hotel and awaiting Irish citizenship. Burundi is now represented by all five of the BFC short films. Learn more.
Thank You BFC Supporters!
The BFC gave a leather-bound “BFC Project in Pictures” coffee table book to everyone who donated at least $75 before February 14th, 2008. Your support has allowed us to submit the first five films to festivals around the world and develop our new website. Anyone can become a supporter or send us your email address to join our mailing list.