African cinema is once again in the international spotlight: The feature film
"DEMBA," directed by Mamadou Dia, has been officially selected to represent Senegal at the next Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.
"DEMBA" tells the story of a man struggling with grief and depression after his wife's death, but who finds comfort in reconnecting with his estranged son.
The film has already shone at international festivals, notably at the 74th Berlinale in February 2024, as well as at the Montreal New Cinema Festival and the Marrakech International Film Festival, where it won the Atlas Award for Development.
A graduate of New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, Mamadou Dia made a name for himself with his first feature film, "LE PERE DE NAFI," which won an award at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland and was selected to represent Senegal at the Oscars in New York in 2021.
This selection for the Oscars now gives "DEMBA" the opportunity to compete against works from around the world, renowned for the richness of their stories and the quality of their productions.
However, there is still a long way to go before any awards are handed out: of all the films chosen to represent their countries, fifteen will be shortlisted and the list will be announced on December 16, 2025, with the five official nominations being announced on January 22, 2026.
The participation of "DEMBA" in this competition is part of a growing trend of visibility for African cinema. In recent years, several productions from the continent have made their mark at major festivals and gained international critical acclaim.
With this selection, "DEMBA" offers great visibility to African cinema and demonstrates the power of its stories. Whether or not it wins an award, the film will already have marked an important milestone by bringing a story rooted in local realities to the international stage while speaking to a universal audience.