Rahmatou Keïta is a Nigerien journalist, writer, and film director, whose film career began in 1990. She won the prestigious for ' (2005) and the

Sojourner Truth Sojourner Truth (; born Isabella Bomefree; November 26, 1883) was an American Abolitionism in the United States, abolitionist and activist for African-American civil rights, women's rights, and Temperance movement, alcohol temperance. Truth was ...

Award for ''Al'lèèssi…'', her first feature film.

Life and career

Born in

Niger Niger, officially the Republic of the Niger, is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is a unitary state Geography of Niger#Political geography, bordered by Libya to the Libya–Niger border, north-east, Chad to the Chad–Niger border, east ...

, Rahmatou Keïta is a descendant of Sundiata Keïta. She has remarked that she embodies the true essence of the

Sahel The Sahel region (; ), or Sahelian acacia savanna, is a Biogeography, biogeographical region in Africa. It is the Ecotone, transition zone between the more humid Sudanian savannas to its south and the drier Sahara to the north. The Sahel has a ...

ian countries, being of Fulani, Songhai and Mandingo ancestry. After studying philosophy and linguistics in

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

, she started her career in France. Before becoming a movie director, she made a name for herself as a journalist for European TV channels. She appeared on the cultural programme ' on

France 2 France 2 () is a French free-to-air public television channel. The flagship channel of France Télévisions, it broadcasts generalist programming including news, entertainment (such as dramas, films, and game shows), factual programmes, and sp ...

. She directs short films and created the TV series ''Femmes d'Afrique'' ''(Women from Africa)'' (26 x 26 minutes episodes – 1993–1997), which screened on national channels in Africa. With friends, Keïta starte
''Sonrhay Empire Productions''
to produce films "off the beaten track". In 2005, her first feature film
''Al'lèèssi''
.., about pioneers of African cinema such as Zalika Souley, was selected at

Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Film Festival (; ), until 2003 called the International Film Festival ('), is the most prestigious film festival in the world. Held in Cannes, France, it previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around ...

and won the Sojourner Truth Award. ''Al'lèèssi…'' received several awards, including Best Documentary Award at Montreal and at the FIFAI. A committed activist for African causes, Keïta is a founding member of th
''Panafrican Association for Culture''
''(ASPAC)'' and takes an active part in the dialogue of cultures and civilisations. In 2016, her film '' Zin'naariyâ!'' (''The Wedding Ring'') was released. Her daughter Magaajyia Silberfeld is an actress and director.

Filmography

Feature films

Television

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Keita, Rahmatou Living people Nigerien film directors Nigerien women film directors Nigerien journalists Nigerien women journalists Year of birth missing (living people) Nigerien women writers Zarma-Songhai people