African Cinema at Cannes: Breaking the Glass Ceiling?

The 79th Cannes Film Festival opens on May 12, 2026, with no African films in its main selections, sparking debate about the visibility of African cinema. Despite this, Nollywood (Nigeria) is the world's second-largest film industry. A panel discussion features producer Joachim Landau (Federation Meac, producer of 'Batwing: A African Superhero' and 'Spinners'), Serge Noukoué (co-founder of the NollywoodWeek Film Festival, whose 13th edition ran May 6-10, 2026), and Claire Diao (programmer, critic, founder of distribution company Sudu Connexion, whose Rwandan documentary 'Didy' is currently in theaters). The conversation explores why African cinema remains underrepresented at major festivals and how to improve its export.