Rwanda’s First Christmas-Themed Movie The Bridge of Christmas Premieres This Friday

The Bridge of Christmas

Rwanda is stepping into the festive film space with the premiere of The Bridge of Christmas, the country’s first locally produced Christmas-themed feature. The film debuts this Friday at Canal Olympia in Kigali, offering audiences a homegrown holiday story timed for the end-of-year season.

Starring Sano Panda and Vanessa Ariane Irakoze, the film blends seasonal warmth with themes of family, connection and celebration. While Christmas movies are a staple in larger film markets, The Bridge of Christmas signals a new confidence in Rwanda’s screen industry — one that is expanding beyond drama and social realism into feel-good, audience-friendly storytelling.

The release is also notable for its distribution approach. Beyond its cinema premiere, the film will be available on ZACU TV, allowing viewers across the country to stream the title during the holiday period.

As Rwandan cinema continues to grow in scale and ambition, The Bridge of Christmas represents more than a festive release. It’s a sign that local filmmakers are beginning to claim space in genres traditionally dominated by global studios — and doing so on their own terms, just in time for Christmas.