Yann Gael

Yann Gael
Born
Garoua, Cameroon
Occupation
  • Actor
Notable work1899, Saloum, Le Rêve Français

Yann Gael is a French-Cameroonian actor and writer. He is best known for his performance in the films Le Rêve Français (2017), Saloum (2021), and Vanilla (2025), and the 2022 TV series 1899.

Early life and education

Yann Gael was born in Garoua, Cameroon.

He attended the French National Academy of Dramatic Arts (Conservatoire National Supérieur d'Art Dramatique) in Paris.

Career

Acting

Yann plays Bastien in the 2025 British LGBT drama film directed by Joseph A. Adesunloye, Vanilla.[1][2][3]

Writing

On the invitation of Léonora Miano, he wrote a chapter of the book Marianne and the Black Boy (Editions Pauvert), in which he talks about black masculinity in France through his work as an actor.

Awards

  • 2013 : Best Male Interpretation Award of Festival de Hyères Les Palmiers for Le Retour [4]
  • 2014 : Best Male Interpretation Award of Festival Cinebanlieue for Le Retour [5]
  • 2017 : France Televisions Award for Best Male Interpretation of Festival du Court-Métrage de Clermont-Ferrand for Et toujours nous marcherons[6]
  • 2017 : Melhor Ator of Festival FestiFrance Brésil for Et toujours nous marcherons[7]
  • 2017 : Best Male Interpretation Award at Festival de la Fiction at La Rochelle 2017 for Le Rêve français[8]
  • 2018 : Special Mention at Festival Vues d'Afrique for Le Rêve français[9]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Director Ref.
2018 Loro Paolo Sorrentino
2021 Black Soldier Jimmy Laporal-Trésor
2021 Saloum Jean Luc Herbulot
2023 Vanilla Joseph A. Adesunloye
2024 Gladiator II Ridley Scott
2025 Hot Milk Rebecca Lenkiewicz

Television

Year Title Director Ref.
2014–2016 Duel Au Soleil Olivier Guignard
2015 Il Coraggio Di Vincere Marco Pontecorvo
2017 Le Rêve Français Christian Faure
2019 Plan Coeur Noémie Saglio, Renaud Bertrand
2019 Sakho and Mangane Jean Luc Herbulot
2022 1899 Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese
2025 Néro the Assassin Allan Mauduit, Jean-Patrick Benes, Martin Douaire, Nicolas Digard

Music Videos

References

  1. ^ "VANILLA: The Open Reel Takes International Rights to British-Nigerian Joseph A. Adesunloye Drama". AKOROKO. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  2. ^ "Vanilla". Apple TV. 27 May 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  3. ^ "Vanilla". Open Reel. 7 June 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  4. ^ "Biographie de Yann Gael". Africultures. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  5. ^ "Nouveau Prix pour Yann Gael à Cinébanlieue". Mezzanine Films. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  6. ^ "Le Palmarès du Prix France Télévisions du Court Métrage". Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  7. ^ "Et Toujours Nous Marcherons". Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  8. ^ Jean-Christophe Nurbel (17 September 2017). "Le palmarès du Festival de la Fiction TV de la Rochelle 2017". Bulles de Culture. Retrieved 17 September 2017..
  9. ^ Vues d'Afrique (22 April 2018). "Palmarès du 34e Festival international de cinéma Vues d'Afrique". Vues d'Afrique. Retrieved 22 April 2018..