Congo Boy

Congo Boy
International promotional poster
Directed byRafiki Fariala
Written by
Produced by
Starring
  • Bradley Fiomona Dembeasset
  • Christy Djomanda Louba
  • Pétruche Mbomba
  • Rosiana Kotozia
  • Gloria Ambacko
CinematographyAdrien Lallau
Edited by
Music by
Production
companies
  • Makongo Films
  • Karta Film
  • Kiripi Films
  • Unité
Release date
  • 15 May 2026 (2026-05-15) (Cannes)
Running time
95 minutes
Countries
  • Central African Republic
  • DR Congo
  • France
  • Italy
Languages

Congo Boy is a 2026 musical drama directed by Rafiki Fariala, co-written with Tommy Baron and Boris Lojkine. Fariala co-wrote wrote the music with Lillo Morealle. It stars Bradley Fiomona Dembeasset, Christy Djomanda Louba, Pétruche Mbomba, Rosiana Kotozia and Gloria Ambacko.

The film had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on 15 May, where Dembeasset won the section's Best Actor prize.

Premise

Set in Bangui, Central African Republic, the coming-of-age story follows Robert, a 17-year-old Congolese whose family are displaced by war in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. With both his parents in prison for falsifying their passports, Robert struggles to balance caring for his younger siblings, keeping up with school, and pursuing a budding musical career as a rap artist.

Cast

Production

Congo Boy follows writer-director Rafiki Fariala's debut documentary We Students! (2022), which became the first feature from the Central African Republic to screen at the Berlin International Film Festival. The project was unveiled at the Atlas Workshops of the Marrakech International Film Festival, where it was presented as part of its development slate.

Congo Boy is a co-production between companies from the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and France. It is produced by Vicky Nelson Wackoro for Makongo Films, with co-producers Dieudo Hamadi for Kiripi Films and Caroline Nataf for Unité.

Release

Congo Boy had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on 15 May. It was one of three African films in the festival's official section.

It was screened in the Kinoscope section of the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival in August 2026.

The film will compete at the 21st Rome Film Festival in 'Progressive Cinema Competition - Visions for the World of Tomorrow' in October 2026.

References

  1. ↑ "The Screenings Guide of the 79th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. 7 May 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  2. ↑ Ross, Rafa Sales (22 May 2026). "Sandra Wollner's 'Everytime' Wins Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes". Variety. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  3. ↑ Klashorst, Marc van de (15 May 2026). "Cannes 2026 review: Congo Boy (Rafiki Fariala)". International Cinephile Society. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  4. ↑ ""CONGO BOY": Rafiki Fariala, an alumnus of Ateliers Varan, selected for the 2026 Cannes Film Festival - Ateliers Varan". www.ateliersvaran.com. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  5. ↑ "CONGO BOY". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  6. 1 2 Hopewell, John; Keslassy, Elsa (16 November 2022). "'We Students!' Rafiki Fariala Preps Marrakech Buzz Project 'Congo Boy' with Makongo, Kiripi, Unité (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  7. ↑ Lasisi, Seyi (15 April 2026). "Three African Titles Selected for 2026 Cannes Un Certain Regard". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "SFF introduces The Latest Trends in Contemporary Cinema in Kinoscope". Sarajevo Times. 8 August 2026. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  9. ↑ Tim Dams (25 September 2026). "Rome film festival unveils 2026 lineup including world premiere for Bille August's 'Me, You'". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 26 September 2026.