Abou Sangaré

Abou Sangaré
Born
Guinea
OccupationActor
Years active2024–present
Notable work

Abou Sangaré is a Guinean auto mechanic and actor who lives in France. He is primarily known for his role as Souleymane in Souleymane's Story. For this role, he has received several accolades, including a European Film Award, a Gotham Award, and a César Award.

Early and personal life

Abou Sangaré was born in Guinea.[1] He left Guinea as a teenager, seeking to make enough money to pay for medical care for his mother, who has epilepsy.[2] He enrolled in a vocational school program in road transport vehicle maintenance, and obtained his technician's certificate in Amiens.[3]

At the beginning of 2025 he received a one-year residence permit, after failing on three previous attempts and being targeted by an OQTF.[4]

Career

In 2023, he was cast by Boris Lojkine to star in Souleymane's Story for his first ever acting role. The movie about a Guinea immigrant food delivery driver in Paris premiered at the Un Certain Regard section at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. He went on to win the Best Performance award.[5]

He was awarded the Best Male Revelation at the 2025 César Awards and Best Actor at the 2025 Lumière Awards.[6][7]

Additionally, he won the European Film Award for Best Actor at the 37th European Film Awards[8] and the Breakthrough Performer at the Gotham Independent Film Awards 2025[9] for his role in Souleymane’s Story.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2024 Souleymane's Story Souleymane Lead role [10]

References

  1. ^ Magnier, Isabelle (20 May 2025). "Abou Sangare, de migrant à acteur césarisé". Tele 7 Jours (in French). Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  2. ^ "Award-winning migrant actor Abou Sangaré granted right to stay in France". RFI. 10 January 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  3. ^ France Inter (8 October 2024). Abou Sangaré : "Ce film m'a permis de payer mon voyage pour arriver en France" (in French). Retrieved 14 October 2025 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ "Abou Sangare, héros du film « L'Histoire de Souleymane », obtient un titre de séjour". Le Monde (in French). 8 January 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  5. ^ Lodge, Guy (24 May 2023). "Cannes Film Festival: 'Black Dog' Wins Un Certain Regard Award". Variety. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  6. ^ Agency, Africa News (7 March 2025). "Abou Sangaré : from mechanics to the spotlight of french cinema". African News Agency. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  7. ^ lcorfias (4 March 2025). "Revealed at Cannes, winners at the César". Cinéma de Demain. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  8. ^ "Abou Sangaré – European Film Academy". Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  9. ^ Coyle, Jake (2 December 2025). "'2025 Gotham Awards: full winners list'". Associated Press. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  10. ^ Barlow, Helen (27 February 2025). "The Undocumented Story of Abou Sangare". FilmInk. Paris. Retrieved 27 March 2025.