Rwandan director Marie‑Clémentine Dusabejambo won the Caméra d’Or for her debut feature film "Ben'Imana" at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival [1].
The victory marks a historic breakthrough for East African cinema. "Ben'Imana" is the first Rwandan film ever screened at the festival [1], signaling a growing international presence for the country's filmmakers.
The award was presented Saturday, May 23, 2026, during the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival [2, 3]. The Caméra d’Or is the prestigious prize awarded to the best first feature film among the festival's various selections [1, 4].
Dusabejambo's debut has drawn significant attention from critics and industry leaders. The film's success at one of the world's most competitive cinema events provides a platform for Rwandan narratives to reach a global audience.
Following the announcement of the win, Dusabejambo expressed her reaction to the achievement. "I feel relieved," she said [5].
The 79th edition of the festival concluded with several high-profile awards, but the win for "Ben'Imana" stands out as a milestone for representation in the industry [1]. The film was judged as the top first-feature among all official selections [1, 4].
“"I feel relieved,"”
The win for "Ben'Imana" represents a shift in the global cinematic landscape, breaking a long-standing barrier for Rwandan storytelling at the highest level of prestige cinema. By securing the Caméra d’Or, Dusabejambo has not only validated the technical and artistic quality of Rwandan production but has also likely opened doors for future funding and distribution for other filmmakers from the region.
