Guinean Actor Abou Sangaré Secures French Residency After Cannes Breakthrough

The 23-year-old, acclaimed for his role in 'L’Histoire de Souleymane,' receives a one-year work permit following years of administrative struggles.

Abou Sangaré, a Guinean actor and former undocumented immigrant, has been granted a one-year residency permit in France as a salaried worker.
Sangaré gained prominence after winning Best Actor in the 'Un Certain Regard' section at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival for his debut role in 'L’Histoire de Souleymane.'
The film, which explores the struggles of an undocumented immigrant, mirrors Sangaré's own experiences of navigating life in France without legal status.
His residency was approved under the 2012 Valls circular, which allows for regularization through employment, supported by a job offer as a mechanic.
Despite his success in cinema, Sangaré has expressed a desire to focus on his career as a mechanic rather than pursuing acting full-time.