The 79th Cannes Film Festival wraps up this weekend on the French Riviera, once again highlighting the marginal presence of African cinema in the official selection.
Out of about 60 films chosen for the prestigious event, African representation remained minimal, according to a report by afriquexxi.
>>> Birmingham Pride 2026 Draws Thousands to City Center
info.
Institutional diversity saw notable changes. Franco-Malian actress Eye Haïdara became the first Black woman to host the opening and closing ceremonies.
The Palme d'Or jury included Ivorian-American actor Isaach de Bankolé and Irish-Ethiopian actress Ruth Negga.
However, no African films competed for the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or.
This absence is partly due to scheduling conflicts, as several prominent African directors premiered their latest projects at other international competitions earlier this year.
Alain Gomis presented "Dao" and Leyla Bouzid debuted "À voix basse" at the Berlinale in February.
Mahamat Saleh Haroun also showcased "Soumsoum, la nuit des astres" at the same event, winning the Fipresci international critics' prize.
Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival in September 2025 for her documentary "The Voice of Hind Rajab."
Historical Milestones and Alternative Visibility
African cinema has achieved rare milestones at Cannes since Ousmane Sembène's "La Noire de..." became the first sub-Saharan feature selected in 1966.
Mohamed Lakhdar Hamina's "Chronicle of the Years of Fire" won the sole African Palme d'Or in 1975, while Mati Diop became the first Black African woman to win the Grand Prix in 2019 for "Atlantics."
This year, African directors found alternative visibility in parallel sections.
>>> Involved Holidays Team Walks 26.2 Miles Around Rutland Water for Charity
The "Un Certain Regard" section, featuring a jury that included Senegalese director Angèle Diabang, showcased Rafiki Fariala's "Congo Boy," Laïla Marrakchi's "La Más Dulce," and Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo's "Ben'Imana."
The Directors' Fortnight featured "Clarissa" by Nigerian brothers Chuko and Arie Esiri.
Former selections underscore deeper systemic challenges regarding distribution and recognition that filmmakers from the continent face globally.
"It's important that Africa is present at Cannes, and we must fight to make important films.
Cinema needs Africa, and Africa needs these important meetings like Cannes, because our films are already invisible.
There are no distribution circuits, no visibility on our own continent," said filmmaker Mahamat-Saleh Haroun.
Independent initiatives continue to create alternative spaces, such as the International Panafrican Film Festival held each autumn in Cannes by Eitel Basile Ngangue.
The second edition of the Paris Ivoire Cinéma, founded by Ivorian television host Sonia Guiza, is scheduled from May 29 to May 31.
Meanwhile, the second week of the main festival featured high-profile appearances under heavy sunshine on the Croisette.
Penelope Cruz attended alongside Pedro Almodovar, who marked his eleventh return to the festival with "Amarga Navidad."
>>> Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Strikes Hawaii Island, No Tsunami Threat
The red carpet also featured Hollywood actor Rami Malek, alongside creative teams behind French productions including "Roma Elastica," "Notre Salut," "La bataille de Gaulle: l'âge de fer," and "Mariage au goût d'orange."
