PARIS: The 2026 edition of the prestigious “Women in Cinema” gala, hosted by the Red Sea Film Foundation at the Cannes Film Festival in France, has spotlighted celebrated Nigerian actress and filmmaker Genevieve Nnaji among six distinguished global women filmmakers.
The annual showcase, which celebrates influential female voices in global cinema, highlighted filmmakers from Africa, Asia, and the Arab world, reinforcing the growing international recognition of African storytelling and creative leadership in film.
This year’s selection features three prominent African filmmakers: Morocco’s Laïla Marrakchi, Rwanda’s Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo, and Nigeria’s Genevieve Nnaji, each representing a powerful wave of women reshaping global cinema narratives.
For Nnaji, the honour further cements her status as one of Africa’s most influential cultural figures. Widely regarded as a pioneer of modern Nollywood’s international expansion, she gained global recognition for her directorial debut Lionheart (2019), which became the first Nigerian Netflix Original film and Nigeria’s first-ever submission for the Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category.
Her recognition at Cannes is seen as another milestone in a career that has helped elevate African film from local acclaim to global prestige.
Moroccan filmmaker Laïla Marrakchi also returns to Cannes with her latest film Strawberries, which explores the struggles of women working abroad under exploitative labour conditions.
Marrakchi, who relocated to Paris at a young age, first gained international attention with Marock (2005), which premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes.
Her career has since expanded into international television and film projects, including work on The Eddy (2020), directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Damien Chazelle.
Rwandan filmmaker Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo completes the African trio honoured at the festival. Her debut feature Ben’Imana, set in post-genocide Rwanda, continues her tradition of socially conscious storytelling.
Dusabe jambo has earned international recognition over the years, including script development support from the Tribeca Film Institute and awards at the Carthage Film Festival.
The Women in Cinema initiative continues to serve as a global platform for recognising female filmmakers whose work challenges cultural boundaries and amplifies underrepresented voices.
By honouring filmmakers such as Genevieve Nnaji, Laïla Marrakchi, and Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo, the Cannes showcase underscores the rising influence of women shaping contemporary cinema narratives across Africa and beyond.
The recognition also reflects a broader shift in global film culture, where African cinema is increasingly commanding international attention for its originality, depth, and cultural resonance.
