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Film by IRP Alum is an Academy Award Nominee

Former IRP Fellow Kimberlee Acquaro's documentary film “God Sleeps in Rwanda” has been chosen as one of four nominees for the Academy Award for Best Documentary (short subject) that will be presented March 5.

	Photo by Fall 2001 IRP Fellow Kimberlee Acquaro

Acquaro traveled to Rwanda in 2001 as an IRP Fellow photojournalist focusing on the aftermath of Rwanda's 1994 genocide. She reported on the reconciliation process between Hutu and Tutsi women and their efforts to reconstruct the country. Upon her return to the U.S., Acquaro wrote a series of monologues performed in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the Rwandan genocide. The U.S. Holocaust museum also created a web display of Acquaro's photographs.

Acquaro returned to Rwanda for a third time in 2003 to shoot "God Sleeps in Rwanda" with co-director Stacy Sherman. The directors shot with only two cameras, and aided by a translator, documented the lives of five Rwandan women Acquaro first met on her IRP fellowship trip. The resulting 28-minute film is narrated by actress Rosario Dawson and has helped raised $25,000 in funds for women survivors in Rwanda. The film also received an award at the Ojai Film Festival on October 22.

Acquaro says the Academy's recognition of the film provides the struggle of Rwandan women much needed visibility. “It also means that people care,” she said. “One of the objectives of the IRP Fellowship is to do underreported stories. When you do a good story, the American public will care.”

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