From IMPAKT to Impact: Abimana Chancard & his film festival in Burundi

During a recent trip to The Netherlands, Abimana Chancard made some time for a  visit to the Movies that Matter office to have a chat about the IFF, which recently had its second edition from 23-27 September 2024 in Bujumbura, Burundi. We spoke about his journey, which has been both a personal and professional challenge, and his passion for filmmaking. Through film he aims to create a unique platform and place for social dialogue in a country with complex political and social dynamics.

Abimana himself did not grow up in Burundi: “Up to today there have been dark days in Burundi, which were mostly because of political issues.” He grew up in Tanzania and studied in Uganda, before he returned to Burundi. Being there again he felt  the urge to help inspire a culture shift in his community. He finds that cultural norms, combined with years of conflict and social challenges, have stifled many forms of (artistic) expression. He sees great opportunities in film and states that: “Film, with its potential to entertain while educating, could create a unique place in a society where free expression is limited.”

Turning Point

The turning point for Abimana and the IMPAKT Film Festival happened when he was selected for Cinema without Borders (CwB) in 2022 and since then received financial support via the grant programme of Movies that Matter. Abimana participated in the workshop programme in Kenya and because of this experience, he gained knowledge and tools for organising a human rights film festival within the unique context of East Africa. The workshop week also gave him the opportunity to connect  with fellow film festival organisers and  filmmakers from this region. All in all, being part of Cinema without Borders boosted  his confidence to launch the first edition of IFF in 2023.

IFF is designed as a platform where Burundians can come together and engage in meaningful conversations about the issues affecting their lives. Abimana aims to address critical issues such as human rights, governance, democracy, and freedom of expression. Therefore, the festival does not only showcase films, but also creates a space for dialogue between the government, journalists, and local communities. This interaction is key to creating understanding and, ultimately, driving social change.

Burundi’s political landscape

With the 2025 Burundian national elections approaching, IFF is gearing up their third festival. For this edition they want to tackle topics related to political participation, especially the representation of women in the government. Burundi’s constitution mandates that 30% of government officials must be women, however, this target is rarely met. Cultural barriers and traditional gender roles continue to limit women’s political participation. Abimana’s hope is to use film and visual media to challenge these norms. His team is working on a campaign to highlight women as capable leaders, aiming to shift public perception and encourage more women to take on leadership roles.

Organising the festival has not been without challenges. The political climate in Burundi remains tense, and both the government and local communities are often reluctant to engage in open discussions about sensitive topics. Nevertheless, this is what Abimana and his team are aiming for; they want to open up the conversation between the government, local communities and marginalised groups. However, this is not an easy task: “While some government officials were willing to participate, others sent lower-ranking representatives to avoid direct accountability”.

We’ve continued to foster conversation by building trust with local communities and facilitating dialogue through neutral moderators and community leaders. Workshops and roundtable discussions have also provided a safe space.

Impact of cinema

When we asked Abimana which film impacted him the most during the IFF 2024 edition, he named the film Maid in Hell (Youtube: THE WHY). This film tells the story of young Burundian women going to work in the Middle East. The interesting part about this film is that “it can start conversations in local communities about issues like labor exploitation and migration.” The film allows audiences to reflect on their own lives, ask questions, and engage in dialogue about the issues they face. Abimana recommends this film as it not only entertained audiences, but also sparked deep conversations about labor rights and human dignity.

According to Abimana: “The visual nature of cinema allows people to see and connect with stories in a way that reading or listening cannot.” He explains that the use of film can be helpful, because it enables viewers to put themselves in the shoes of the characters. Fostering empathy and understanding. This emotional connection is what drives audiences to think critically about their own circumstances and to engage in conversations that can lead to change. “Our big success last festival was the fact that there were in-depth talks and people really expressed their personal experiences.”

Abimana Chancard’s work with IFF is a true testament to the power of film to inspire social change in even the most challenging environments. Through his efforts, a new space for dialogue has been created in Burundi, one that allows for honest conversations about governance, human rights, and democracy. As the 2025 elections approach, IFF’s role will be even more critical in shaping the political landscape and advocating for greater representation of women in government.

Looking ahead

Looking into the future, Abimana’s ambitions for IFF extend beyond organising a film festival. He envisions using multiple forms of media—such as short films, graphic design, and social media content—to reach younger audiences and encourage a new generation of socially conscious citizens. He hopes to create a lasting impact that goes beyond the festival itself, by creating media that resonates with young people and addressing their concerns.

Movies that Matter supports human rights festivals around the world. In this series, we highlight the stories of several people involved in our international programmes to discuss their projects and the impact they are making. The International Support team is committed globally by financially supporting human rights film festivals (Grant Programme), film screenings at embassies (Embassy Film Menu), an outreach programme for activists (Activist Programme), coordinating a partnership between festivals (Human Rights Film Network) and workshop programmes for film festival organisers (Cinema without Borders).