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Abou Sangaré

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

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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

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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

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Film

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

References

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  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.
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