Souleymane Cissé, Pioneering African Filmmaker, Dies at 84

The Malian director, known for his groundbreaking work in African cinema and Cannes-winning film 'Yeelen,' passed away in Bamako after a career spanning over five decades.

Cissé was the first Black African filmmaker to win a major award at Cannes, receiving the Jury Prize in 1987 for 'Yeelen,' a film rooted in West African folklore.
Born in Bamako, Mali, in 1940, Cissé studied film in Moscow and became a central figure in African cinema, known for his humanistic and politically engaged storytelling.
He was a two-time winner of the prestigious Étalon d’or de Yennenga at the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO).
In 2023, Cissé was honored with the Carrosse d’Or award at Cannes for his contributions to global cinema, joining a distinguished list of past recipients.
Cissé was set to preside over the jury for the 29th FESPACO festival, which begins this weekend, highlighting his enduring influence on African cinema.