Diégane Niang joins Cannes Makers program

Senegalese filmmaker Oumou Diégane Niang is among the eight participants selected for the second edition of the Cannes Makers program, scheduled to take place from 20 to 22 May at the Cannes Film Market.

Diégane Niang is founder of Wawkumba Film, a new Senegalese independent film production and distribution company. She is also a journalist responsible for communications at the Dakar-based Yennenga Centre, the cinema hub established by Alain Gomis.

Joining her in the the Cannes Makers program are Mohammed Alghadhban (Iraq), Farah El Amraoui (France), Simon Zanger (Germany), Yi Chou (Taiwan), Dana Mroue (Lebanon), Ellyn Černochová (Czech Republic) and Thomas Alleaume (France).

The participants were selected for their fervor and engagement in the film industry in the areas of sales, distribution and marketing as well as their commitment to advocating key values such as diversity, inclusion, representation and sustainability.

The three-day training program will see them engage in various activities and group sessions aimed at shaping their early career, enhancing their professional skills, and gaining valuable insights from numerous guest industry experts.

The program was launched in 2023 with the backing of Creative Europe MEDIA. Cannes Makers is the Cannes Film Festival’s innovative training & mentoring program that brings together a group of promising young professionals, each driven to make a significant impact on the global film industry.