Abou Sangaré

Abou Sangaré
Born (2001-05-07) May 7, 2001
Sinko, Guinea
OccupationActor
Years active2024–present
Notable work

Abou Sangaré (born May 7, 2001) is a Guinean auto-mechanic and actor who is currently active in France.

Early life

Abou Sangaré was born on Mei 7, 2001, in Sinko, Guinea. He left Guinea as a teenager, seeking to make enough money to pay for medical care for his mother, who has epilepsy.[1] He enrolled a vocational school program in Road Transport Vehicle Maintenance and obtains his technician's certificate in Amiens.[2]

At the beginning of 2025 he received a one-year residence permit after failing three previous attempts and being targeted by an OQTF.[3]

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.[4]

He was awarded the Best Male Revelation at the 2025 César Awards and Best Actor at the 2025 Lumière Awards.[5][6]

Additionally, he won the European Film Award for Best Actor at the 37th European Film Awards[7] and the Breakthrough Performer at the Gotham Independent Film Awards 2025[8] for his role in Souleymane’s Story.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2024 Souleymane's Story Souleymane Lead role [9]

References

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