Africa: Why Is African Cinema Out of the Picture At the Cannes Film Festival?

The 2026 Cannes Film Festival did not include any African films in the main competition for the Palme d'Or, raising questions about African filmmakers' access to this prestigious event. Despite a thriving film production across the continent, with countries like Nigeria and South Africa leading, African films are mainly featured in other categories, such as 'Un Certain Regard'. Works like 'Ben'Imana' by Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo and 'Congo Boy' by Rafiki Fariala are being screened.