Souleymane Cissé, the Malian film director regarded as one of the first generation of African filmmakers, has passed away at the age of 84. Widely celebrated as “Africa’s greatest living filmmaker,” Cissé dedicated his life to telling powerful, thought-provoking stories that reshaped global perceptions of African cinema.
His 1987 masterpiece Yeelen (The Light), often considered one of the greatest African films ever made, won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival—becoming the first African film to win a prize in the festival’s history. His work, deeply rooted in African culture, politics, and spirituality, also includes Den Muso (The Young Girl), Baara (Work), Finyè (The Wind), and Waati (Time).
Beyond his films, Cissé was a fierce advocate for African storytelling, pushing for government investment in cinema and greater industry independence from European financing. His voice remained powerful until his final days, urging Mali’s leaders to support African filmmakers in ensuring their stories were seen.
In 2023, Cannes honored him with the Carrosse d’Or for his lifelong contributions to cinema. At the time of his passing, he was set to preside over the jury at Fespaco, Africa’s most prestigious film festival.
Mali’s Culture Minister Mamou Daffé called him a “monument of African cinema,” and his impact on the industry will be felt for generations to come.