Spotlight on African filmmakers: First winner of TUI Care Foundation Award of the World Cinema Fund premiers at Cannes Film Festival

• “Ben‘Imana”, supported through the TUI Care Foundation Award of the World Cinema Fund, selected for Un Certain Regard at Cannes
• Film also competes for the prestigious Caméra d’Or for best first feature
• Production created jobs and opportunities for local talent in Rwanda, supporting skills development and the creative economy

The first winner of the TUI Care Foundation Award of the World Cinema Fund will celebrate its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, having been selected for the renowned Un Certain Regard section. “Ben‘Imana” will also compete for the Caméra d’Or, awarded to the best first feature film presented at the festival. The film will be represented by MK2, the arthouse French sales company behind “Anatomy of a Fall “and last year’s Palme d’Or winner “It was Just an Accident”.

The project was selected for the 2024 TUI Care Foundation Award of the World Cinema Fund, recognising its artistic vision and its contribution to local capacity-building in the film industry. The annual TUI Care Foundation award supports film productions in Africa that foster cultural exchange and create sustainable opportunities in emerging film markets.

Set in Rwanda in 2012, “Ben’Imana” tells a powerful story of reconciliation, identity and generational conflict in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The film follows Veneranda, a genocide survivor and social worker supporting women through the reconciliation process, as she is forced to confront her own past when her daughter faces a deeply personal crisis. Through this intimate narrative, the film explores the tensions between personal trauma and societal expectations in a country rebuilding its social fabric.

The production of “Ben’Imana” has also delivered significant socio-economic impact on the ground. Around 900 people directly benefitted from the project, including a professional crew spanning technical, artistic and production roles, as well as drivers, interns and support staff. In addition, approximately 800 paid extras were employed during filming, contributing to both the authenticity and scale of the production.

Funding from the TUI Care Foundation Award supported the creation and maintenance of jobs, primarily for African film professionals. The majority of the crew came from Rwanda, complemented by talent from across the region, including Gabon and Egypt, reflecting a strong commitment to local employment and skills development within the African film industry. Filming was completed in Rwanda in October 2025.

Alexander Panczuk, Managing Director of the TUI Care Foundation, said:
“We are proud to see ‘Ben’Imana’ premiere at the Festival de Cannes. Through our partnership with the World Cinema Fund, which was initiated by the Berlin International Film Festival, we’re supporting creative projects that not only bring African narratives to global audiences but also create tangible opportunities for local talent from all over the continent. This film is a strong example of how cultural initiatives can contribute to skills development, job creation and international cooperation.”

By supporting projects such as “Ben’Imana”, the TUI Care Foundation highlights the role of tourism and cultural exchange in fostering creative industries and empowering local communities. The Foundation’s engagement in film supports storytelling that brings diverse perspectives to global audiences while strengthening local economies and professional networks.

 

Take a look behind the scenes: The making of Ben’Imana

 

About the TUI Care Foundation

Building on the potential of tourism as a force for good, the TUI Care Foundation supports and initiates projects which create new opportunities and contribute to thriving communities in tourism destinations all over the world. Connecting holidaymakers to good causes, it supports education and training opportunities for young people; drives the protection of natural habitats and the marine environment; and helps local communities to thrive sustainably and benefit from tourism. The TUI Care Foundation builds on strong partnerships with local and international organisations to create meaningful and long-lasting impact. The independent charitable organisation was founded by TUI, one of the world’s leading tourism businesses, and is based in the Netherlands.

About World Cinema Fund

Founded in 2004, the World Cinema Fund  was initiated by the German Federal Cultural Foundation and the Berlin International Film Festival. It quickly established itself as one of the leading institutions in the field of international film funding for artistic and innovative productions. The WCF concentrates on backing the production and distribution of films from Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific region, Africa, the Middle East, Central and Southeast Asia, the Caucasus, as well as Bangladesh, Nepal, Mongolia and Sri Lanka. The goal is to promote high-quality filmmaking in regions with a weak infrastructure for film, while fostering cultural diversity in German cinemas as well as supporting collaboration between German and European producers and partners in WCF regions and countries. All WCF films completed to date have screened at cinemas and/or in the programmes of renowned festivals. Many have also won significant prizes, proof of the worldwide success of the initiative.