“Benimana,” a feature film by Rwandan filmmaker Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo , has been selected in the “Un Certain Regard” section at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival , marking a significant milestone for Rwandan and African cinema. The film is an African majority co-production, produced by Ejo Cine Ltd (Rwanda) and Princesse M Prod (Gabon), in co-production with Les Films du Bilboquet (France) and Duo Film (Norway). This positioning reflects its transnational production structure across Africa and Europe. This marks the first time a feature film directed by a Rwandan filmmaker has entered an

  “Benimana,” a feature film by Rwandan filmmaker Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo, has been selected in the “Un Certain Regard” section at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, marking a significant milestone for Rwandan and African cinema. The film is an African majority co-production, produced by Ejo Cine Ltd (Rwanda) and Princesse M Prod (Gabon), in co-production with Les Films du Bilboquet (France) and Duo Film (Norway). This positioning reflects its transnational production structure across Africa and Europe. This marks the first time a feature film directed by a Rwandan filmmaker has entered an official selection at Cannes. It follows Munyurangabo (2007), which also addressed the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi but was directed by American filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung. Cannes artistic director Thierry Frémaux described “Benimana” as “astounding” for a debut feature, during the official announcement of the festival’s 2026 selection. Developed over more than a decade, the film is set in Rwanda in 2012, nearly two decades after the genocide, within a period of ongoing reconciliation. It follows Veneranda, a survivor rebuilding her life through resilience and community support. Her stability is disrupted when her teenage daughter becomes pregnant, forcing her to confront unresolved trauma and long-standing family tensions. The story explores forgiveness and the enduring impact of historical violence on present-day family life. The cast is composed largely of non-professional actors, including Clémentine U. Nyirinkindi, Isabelle Kabano, Kesia Kelly Nishimwe, Leocadie Uwabeza, Antoinette Uwamahoro, and Aime Valens Tuyisenge. The “Un Certain Regard” section is known for highlighting emerging voices and distinctive cinematic approaches. Dusabejambo’s selection builds on her established reputation through short films such as A Place for Myself, Icyasha, Behind the World, and Lyiza. The project has undergone a long international development process, including participation in La Fabrique Cinéma, Atlas Workshops in Marrakech, Ouaga Film Lab (2019), and Durban FilmMart (2024), alongside support from the World Cinema Fund of Berlinale. In 2025, “Benimana” received the Red Sea Souk Post-Production Award ($40,000) and the Filmmore in-kind post-production support valued at $32,500, strengthening its completion phase. The film was produced by Samantha Biffot and Marie Epiphanie Uwayezu, with cinematography by Mostafa El Kashef. International sales are handled by MK2 Films, a Paris-based company active in global festival distribution. The 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 12 to 23, 2026, in France. The selection of “Benimana” places it among the titles eligible for the festival’s debut-feature recognition category, the Camera d’Or, which honors first-time feature filmmakers across all sections. For Rwanda’s film industry, the selection represents a rare entry into one of the world’s most competitive festival platforms, positioning the film within a broader wave of African co-productions gaining visibility on the international festival circuit

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