Sembene Ousmane was a Senegalese writer and filmmaker considered to be the father of African cinema. Born on January 1, 1923, in Ziguinchor, Senegal, he grew up in a modest family. He started working as a docker and later joined the labor movement.

Sembene Ousmane used writing and cinema as means to denounce the social and political injustices Africans were facing. His first novel, The Black Docker (1956), was acclaimed as a powerful critique of colonization and economic exploitation. He went on to write other influential novels such as God's Bits of Wood (1960) and Xala (1973).

In the 1960s, Sembene Ousmane turned to cinema and became the first African director to make a feature-length film. His film La Noire de... (1966) won the Jean Vigo Prize and paved the way for a new generation of African filmmakers. He later directed acclaimed films such as The Money-Order (1968), Camp de Thiaroye (1987) and Moolaadé (2004).

Sembene Ousmane passed away on June 9, 2007, in Dakar, leaving behind an immense cultural legacy. His work has been acclaimed worldwide for its ability to shed light on the realities and struggles of Africa, as well as for his commitment to social justice. He remains an important figure in the history of African cinema and continues to inspire future generations.

• Participations as a jury member
• Additional awards

Ousmane Sembène was a committed writer, and his works are recognized for their exploration of the socio-political realities of Africa and their critique of colonial and postcolonial systems.