Bamporiki, Edouard

Edouard Bamporiki is an award-winning filmmaker, actor, poet and peacemaker. As a young Rwandan artist, he has received national and international attention for his stories of hope, unity and reconciliation. Born in a small village in the Western province, he was educated in Rwandan schools, and lives in the capital city of Kigali. His feature debut in Lee Isaac Chung’s Munyurangabo yielded him a Best Actor nomination in Cannes. In 2008, he wrote, directed, starred in, and produced Long Coat, winner of first prize in African film at the Focus Future Film Festival in New York. In 2011, he appeared in Kinyarwanda (as Emmanuel) alongside Cassandra Freeman. He performs his poetry in the national football stadium each year for Genocide Memorial Day, and recently published his first book of poetry and memoir, Icyaha Kuri Bo, Ikimwaro Kuri Jye, drawing on his experience as a child during the Rwandese genocide.