He won multiple awards during his 50-year career, including the jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and spent his life championing African cinema.

Malian filmmaker Souleymane Cissé, a pioneer of African cinema with a career spanning 50 years, has died at age 84.

Souleymane Cisse, the legendary Malian filmmaker known as one of the fathers of African cinema, has died at the age of 84 in Bamako.

Celebrated Malian director Souleymane Cissé, who was the first sub-Saharan African director to win a major award at Cannes with 1987 Jury Prize winner Yeelen (Brightness), has died at the age of 84. Active right up until his death,