Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo, a Rwandan filmmaker, has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), one of the most influential talent agencies in Hollywood. CAA represents top talent in the entertainment industry, including film and television actors, directors, writers, and musicians. The agency was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Los Angeles. Dusabejambo's signing with CAA marks a significant milestone in her career, following her success with her feature film "Ben'imana," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
"Ben'imana" earned the Camera d'Or award at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, which is given to the best debut feature film. The film also won the FIPRESCI award in the Un Certain Regard category. These awards helped increase the film's international recognition. "Ben'imana" was also nominated for the Best International Film award at the Gotham Film Awards. After its premiere at Cannes, the film was screened at several other major film festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, and AFI Fest.
The production of "Ben'imana" took over 10 years to complete. The film is a co-production between Rwanda and Gabon, with France and Norway also involved. Notably, 90% of the film's crew members are from Rwanda, highlighting the country's growing film industry. MK2 is responsible for distributing the film internationally, while Dusabejambo retains the rights to distribute it in the UK and US. This achievement demonstrates the growing global recognition of Rwandan cinema.
Dusabejambo was born and raised in Kigali, Rwanda. She began her career in film in 2008, working with a group of young people who shared her passion for filmmaking. In 2010, she won a screenwriting competition organized by the Tribeca Film Institute. Her debut short film, "Lyiza," was screened at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2011 and won the Bronze Tanit award at the Carthage Film Festival. She went on to create other short films, including "A Place for Myself" and "Icyasha."
In addition to her work as a filmmaker, Dusabejambo has also worked as an archivist on the documentary series "Why We Hate," produced by Steven Spielberg and Alex Gibney. She has also served as an assistant director on the film "Faces We Lost." Dusabejambo is represented by lawyer Béatrice Roig, who is based in Paris.
The signing of Dusabejambo with CAA is a significant development in her career, particularly as her film "Ben'imana" continues to gain international recognition. This move is expected to open up new opportunities for Dusabejambo in the global film industry. CAA will likely play a key role in helping her secure major deals and collaborations.
Dusabejambo's achievement is also a milestone for Rwandan cinema, demonstrating the country's growing presence in the global film industry. Her success with "Ben'imana" and her signing with CAA are testaments to her talent and dedication to her craft. As the film industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Dusabejambo's career unfolds with the support of CAA.
Key points
- Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo is the first Rwandan filmmaker to sign with CAA.
- "Ben'imana" won the Camera d'Or award at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
- 90% of the crew members of "Ben'imana" are from Rwanda.
