Un Certain Regard will premiere Congo Boy (Central African Republic) and Ben Imana (Rwanda)

The Cannes Film Festival’s 2026 official selection includes two films that place the Central African Republic and Rwanda in Un Certain Regard, the festival’s parallel competition for emerging and distinctive work. Festival organisers listed “Congo Boy” by Rafiki Fariala and “Ben’Imana” by Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo in the section on the festival’s official selection page, updated after the April 9 lineup announcement. Variety reported on May 13 that the two titles mark the first time those countries have appeared in Cannes’ official selection. The festival’s own title pages identify both films as part of the 79th edition, which runs from May 12 to May 23 in Cannes. ### Which films were selected, and where do they sit in the Cannes lineup? (festival-cannes.com) The Festival de Cannes official selection page places “Ben’Imana” and “Congo Boy” in Un Certain Regard, alongside other 2026 titles including Jane Schoenbrun’s opening film for the section. The same page labels both African films as first features. (variety.com) The festival published the 2026 official selection on April 9 and said the list was updated on April 23 after additional announcements. That makes the inclusion of both films part of Cannes’ formal lineup rather than a market sidebar or parallel festival slot. ### What is “Congo Boy” about? “Congo Boy” is a 95-minute feature set in Bangui, according to the film’s Cannes page. (festival-cannes.com) The synopsis says Robert, a 17-year-old Congolese refugee, dreams of a music career in the Central African capital while caring for his younger siblings after his parents are arrested and trying to avoid militias in the city. Variety described the film as a coming-of-age drama with autobiographical elements drawn from Fariala’s own life. (festival-cannes.com) The outlet reported that Fariala previously drew attention in 2022 when his documentary “We, Students!” became the first feature from the Central African Republic to play at the Berlinale. The Cannes page lists the production countries for “Congo Boy” as the Central African Republic, France, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Italy. (festival-cannes.com) It credits Bangui-based Makongo as the lead producer and names Bradley Fiomona Dembeasset in the role of Robert. ### What story does “Ben’Imana” tell? “Ben’Imana” is a 101-minute feature set in Rwanda in 2012, according to the Cannes title page. (variety.com) The synopsis says the film follows Vénéranda, a genocide survivor who supports community justice and reconciliation sessions, before an unexpected pregnancy in her family forces a confrontation with her own past. The festival page lists the production countries as Rwanda, Gabon, France, Norway and Côte d’Ivoire. (festival-cannes.com) It credits Clémentine U. Nyirinkindi as Vénéranda and names Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo as director and co-writer. Variety described “Ben’Imana” as a post-genocide drama and said Dusabejambo arrives in Cannes with her debut feature after nearly two decades working in Rwanda’s film scene. (festival-cannes.com) ### Why are these premieres drawing attention beyond the films themselves? Variety said the two selections amount to a first for the Central African Republic and Rwanda in Cannes’ official selection. (festival-cannes.com) That characterization is consistent with the festival pages, which identify the films’ national origins and place them inside the official lineup rather than outside sections. (variety.com) Africanews, citing AFP, separately reported that three African feature films are screening in Un Certain Regard this year, including these two titles and Morocco’s “La Más Dulce.” That broader context places Fariala and Dusabejambo within a larger African presence in the section, while the first-selection distinction for their countries comes from Variety’s reporting. (variety.com) ### What happens next at Cannes? The 79th Festival de Cannes runs until May 23, 2026, according to the festival’s official materials. Both films now move from selection status to their Un Certain Regard premieres on the Croisette, where buyers, critics and festival juries will see them as part of the official program. (africanews.com) The Cannes film pages also list the films’ sales and distribution partners, with MK2 Films attached to “Ben’Imana” and The Party Film Sales handling international sales for “Congo Boy.” Those companies are the named participants likely to handle the next stage after the premieres. (festival-cannes.com 1) (festival-cannes.com 2)