Born and raised in Rwanda, Eliane Umuhire started acting in 2005 when she was in Butare pursuing her university studies. She however started acting in films in 2014 when she was casted in “Birds are Singing in Kigali” directed by Krzystof Krauze and Joanna Kos, as her first main role and main character.
Umuhire is one of the few Rwandan movie actors/actresses to have made it to the global stage, and her raw talent won her multiple awards in the acting career. She recently co-produced “Face of Resilience”, a documentary that explores how resilience, reconciliation and community-building have shaped Rwanda’s transformation over the past three decades.
Eliane’s powerful performances have graced screens at prestigious international festivals, earning her numerous accolades for her acting prowess and social commitment.
Her portrayal of Claudine Mugambira won her the Best Actress award at multiple festivals, including the Chicago International Film Festival, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Gdynia Polish Fiction Festival, Polish Festival in New York, Let’s CEE Festival in Vienna, and the Mastercard Rising Star award at the Netia Off Camera independent film festival. This role firmly established her as a formidable talent in international cinema.
Eliane’s recent work continues to build on her impressive career. She starred in Baloji’s Omen, which received recognition at the “Un Certain Regard” section at Cannes in 2023. Her role in Saul Williams’ feature film “Neptune Frost” was presented at the Directors’ Fortnight in 2021.
She also appeared in the Netflix film “Trees of Peace” by Alanna Brown, and the BAFTA-nominated short film “Bazigaga” directed by Jo Igabire Moys, which won her acting awards at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and the Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur.
On television, Eliane is known for her role in the series “Haven of Grace”, broadcast on Arte. Recent projects include starring in “Planète B”, directed by Aude Léa Rapin, alongside Adele Exarchopoulos and Souheila Yacoub. She also featured in the highly anticipated spin-off “A Quiet Place: Day One”, sharing the screen with Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, and Djimon Hounsou.
Eliane Umuhire’s journey is a testament to her exceptional talent and dedication to storytelling. Her contributions to cinema continue to inspire and captivate audiences, highlighting the profound impact of exploring themes that resonate universally. Keep an eye on her upcoming projects as she continues to shine on both the big screen and television.
