Kayije Kagame is Switzerland’s Shooting Star 2023
“She has a special aura that is mesmerizing, and holds the gaze of the viewer in every scene.”
23.01.2023
The actress and performance artist is one of 10 European actors selected by a jury for the European Film Promotion’s talent programme during Berlinale 2023.
Portrait Kayije Kagame: photo © Lucas Chanoine
Kayije Kagame was born in Geneva. She studied at the drama academy ENSATT in Lyon (École Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Techniques du Théâtre) and worked with legendary theatre director Bob Wilson, among others. Kagame is also the creator of numerous performances, sound pieces, films and installations. Most recently she toured with INTÉRIEUR VIE / INTÉRIEUR NUIT (INNER LIFE / INNER NIGHT), which she codirected together with Hugo Radi.
The role of Rama in SAINT OMER by French director Alice Diop marks Kayije Kagame’s feature-film debut and has attracted a great deal of attention. After its premiere in Venice, where the film was awarded the Silver Lion, it screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, Viennale, Geneva International Film Festival and numerous other international festivals.
Kayije Kagame was selected by the French Film Academy as a “Revelation” for the 2023 Césars. SAINT OMER is the French entry for the International Feature Film Competition at the 95th Academy Awards and director Alice Diop was nominated as European Director for the European Film Awards.
SAINT OMER is currently screening in cinemas in France (distribution Les Films du Losange) and French-speaking Switzerland (distribution Cineworx). Theatrical release in Germany and German-speaking Switzerland is planned for March 2023.
Spotlight on European Acting Talent
As part of the EFP’s European Shooting Stars programme during Berlinale, actors and actresses will meet with international film professionals and casting agents and participate in networking events and press junkets. The European Shooting Stars will be showcased in a glamorous award ceremony in the Berlinale Palast on Monday, February 20.
Previous Shooting Stars from Switzerland include Sven Schelker (UND MORGEN SEID IHR TOT), Kacey Mottet Klein (JUST KIDS), Luna Wedler (JE SUIS KARL) and Ella Rumpf (SOUL OF A BEAST) and in 2022 Souheila Yacoub (THE BRAVES).
On behalf of the Swiss Federal Office of Culture, the promotion agency SWISS FILMS supports the international presence of Swiss films and talents. As member of the European Film Promotion, every year SWISS FILMS can propose an acting talent from Switzerland as a European Shooting Star.
More Info
Contact for Swiss press:
Laura Daniel, SWISS FILMS
ldaniel@swissfilms.ch
International press:
Helen Peetzen, EFP Press & Communications
peetzen@efp-online.com
Kayije Kagame is represented by the following agency:
Cinéart Paris, Bertrand Davasse
b.davasse@cineart.fr