Over the past decades, conversations around sexual harassment in the cinema industry have gained global attention, particularly in major film industries such as Hollywood. These concerns led to the formal introduction of intimacy coordination in 2017, following widespread revelations that harassment and abuse had often been normalized on film sets.

Harassment, however, is not limited to one country or industry. It exists everywhere—including within African cinema. This reality is precisely why the role of an intimacy coordinator (IC) is increasingly recognized as essential.

While only a few African countries have embraced this profession, Rwanda has now reached a significant milestone.

Meet Rwanda’s first intimacy coordinator

Maranatha Uwera has officially become Rwanda’s first-ever intimacy coordinator, and one of only three intimacy coordinators in East Africa—a development worth celebrating for the local film industry.

Maranatha is widely known for her work as a costume designer on several Rwandan films, including Kaliza wa Kalisa and City Maid, as well as for her experience as an actress. Her deep familiarity with film sets gives her a unique advantage in understanding both the creative and human dynamics of production environments.

Her appointment comes at a time when Rwanda’s film industry is expanding rapidly, both in scale and in the complexity of the stories being told.

What does an intimacy coordinator do?

In an interview, Maranatha emphasized that intimacy coordination is not limited to actors alone, but applies to the entire production environment.

“Harassment is everywhere—among actors and within the technical team. An intimacy coordinator looks at all angles,” she explained.

An intimacy coordinator (IC) is a trained professional who works on film, television, and stage productions to manage nudity, simulated sex, and other intimate or vulnerable scenes. Much like a stunt or fight coordinator, an IC choreographs intimate moments to ensure safety, consent, clear communication, and professional boundaries.

Importantly, intimacy does not only refer to sex scenes. As Maranatha noted, it includes any moment that exposes vulnerability, such as:

. Bathing or showering scenes

. Breastfeeding

. Physical closeness

. Emotionally or psychologically sensitive moments

These scenes often require additional care, trust, and clear communication on set.

Consent, safety, and professionalism

One of the intimacy coordinator’s core responsibilities is ensuring explicit and ongoing consent. Maranatha explained that her role is to ensure actors fully understand what they are being asked to perform, that consent is given freely and can be withdrawn at any stage, and that no one participates in a scene due to pressure, manipulation, blackmail, or false promises.

The goal is to ensure that no film leaves emotional or psychological scars behind once production ends.

“An intimacy coordinator makes sure the production goes well, but also that it does not harm anyone involved,” she said.

To achieve this, intimacy coordinators follow clear professional protocols, including consent checks, boundary setting, and open communication before, during, and after intimate scenes.

“There are protocols that guide intimacy scenes,” Maranatha emphasized.

Challenges and awareness

Like any emerging profession, intimacy coordination comes with challenges—especially in environments where the role is still unfamiliar.

“This is challenging because some people are not yet used to it,” she admitted, adding that she will need to work closely with directors and production teams to help them understand the guidelines.

However, Maranatha believes her previous experience on film sets will help bridge that gap.

“I have worked on film sets before. That will make communication easier,” she said, while also calling on actors and technical teams to cooperate and engage openly.

A call for a safer industry

When asked how others can enter the field, Maranatha encouraged interested individuals to pursue formal training and certification.

“There are courses for intimacy coordination. We are still few, and I encourage those interested to study it. We need more people in this profession,” she said.

She concluded with a strong message to the industry:

"This career is professional, and we need to let it show. We must stop giving people reasons to look down on others. Anyone who sees harassment should be the voice for those who cannot speak. Make film sets safe.”

Why this matters for Rwandan cinema

The introduction of intimacy coordination in Rwanda marks a significant step toward safer, more ethical, and more professional film production. In many international industries, intimacy coordination is increasingly considered a standard practice, often required by film unions and professional bodies.

Its adoption sends a clear message: artistic vision should never come at the expense of human dignity.

With pioneers like Maranatha Uwera, Rwanda’s cinema industry is not only evolving creatively—but also ethically. As the industry continues to grow, the presence of intimacy coordination may prove essential in shaping film sets that are creative, respectful, and genuinely safe for everyone involved.