Independent storytelling company Alexander has launched a film division with the acquisition of English-language territory rights to Rwandan filmmaker Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo’s "Ben’Imana," winner of the Caméra d’Or and FIPRESCI Prize at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
The company, founded in 2020 by film producer Cameron Lamb, acquired rights for North America, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand from Paris-based international sales company mk2 Films. Alexander plans to release "Ben’Imana" theatrically in early 2027, followed by an exclusive streaming release on its own digital platform.
"Ben’Imana," Dusabejambo’s first feature, premiered in Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026, becoming the first Rwandan film selected for Cannes’ Official Selection. Set in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the film will make its North American premiere in the Centrepiece programme of the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, which runs from 10–20 September 2026 in Toronto, Canada.
Alexander said its new film operation will acquire a limited number of international films for theatrical distribution and subsequent streaming on the Alexander platform. Kevin Chan will lead film strategy and acquisitions, Hamish Moseley will oversee theatrical distribution, Karina Gechtman will oversee marketing and publicity, and Austin Kennedy will work across the U.S. market.
The acquisition was negotiated by Chan for Alexander and Fionnuala Jamison, managing director of mk2 Films, on behalf of the filmmakers.
Dusabejambo, a Kigali-based Rwandan filmmaker, previously directed the shorts "Lyiza," "A Place for Myself" and "Icyasha." "Lyiza" premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York in 2011 and won the Bronze Tanit at Tunisia’s Carthage Film Festival in 2012.
"Ben’Imana" is the first acquisition announced for Alexander’s film division.