Souleymane Cissé, the legendary Malian filmmaker who died in February 2025 aged 85 redefined African cinema and brought it global recognition with his groundbreaking films. The festival will screen a restored copy of his celebrated film Yeleen (The Light) that won the Jury Award at Cannes 1987, making him the first film-maker from sub-Saharan Africa to win an award at the prestigious festival. His first feature film, Den Muso (1975) was banned by the Malian authorities, and Cissé was jailed for having accepted French funding. He wrote the screenplay for his second film, Baara, while in prison. The tribute will take place at the University of East Anglia on 20 November.