The 79th Cannes Film Festival, which kicked off on May 12, 2026, features a strong African presence with three films selected for the prestigious Un Certain Regard section. Rwandan director Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo makes her feature debut with “Ben’imana,” a poignant exploration of justice in the wake of the Rwandan genocide. Joining her are Congolese filmmaker Rafiki Fariala with “Congo Boy,” a film about a young musician displaced by conflict in the Central African Republic, and French-Moroccan director Laïla Marrakchi with “Strawberries” (La más dulce), a drama following Moroccan seasonal laborers in Spain. While these films are not in the main competition for the Palme d’Or, the category has become an important launchpad for emerging talent. Nigerian cinema will also be represented through “Clarissa” by twin directors Arie and Chuko Esiri in the Directors’ Fortnight section. The festival runs until May 23.
Africanews
