African Duo Makes History in Cannes With Un Certain Regard Premieres ‘Congo Boy,’ ‘Ben’Imana’

May 13, 2026 10:45pm PT African Duo Makes History in Cannes With Un Certain Regard Premieres ‘Congo Boy,’ ‘Ben’Imana’

By Christopher Vourlias

Plus Icon

Christopher Vourlias

Latest

• ‘Bodies (of War),’ From Directors Malgorzata Szumowska and Michal Englert, Explores Tragic Toll, ‘Unexpected Heroism’ of Ukraine Conflict 7 days ago
• Nomadic Film Space Launches Traveling Market Platform for African Creative Producers at Cannes (EXCLUSIVE) 7 days ago
• ‘Kung Fury’s’ David Sandberg, ‘Dead of Night’s’ Higton Brothers, Supercell Co-Founder Mikko Kodisoja Lead Immersive-First Slate at Finland’s Fireframe Studios (EXCLUSIVE) 1 week ago

See All

African cinema will make history at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, with filmmakers from two of the continent’s nascent screen industries cracking the official selection of the prestigious French fest for the very first time.

Both Rwandan debutante Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo, with her post-genocide drama “Ben’Imana,” and Central African filmmaker Rafiki Fariala, with his coming-of-age drama “Congo Boy,” will fly the flags of their respective nations over the Croisette when their films premiere in Un Certain Regard.

Related Stories

Takahashi Issey, Saitoh Takumi, Mizukami Koshi to Star in Prime Video Japan Crime Thriller 'Hanzaisha' (EXCLUSIVE)