Souleymane Cissé, an iconic name in the world of cinema, died on Wednesday in Bamako, Mali, at the age of 84. Known for his groundbreaking work, Cissé was the first Black African filmmaker to win the prestigious Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. His friend, French producer François Margolin, confirmed the news, stating that Cissé had been active until the end, even attending a press conference earlier in the day. Cissé rose to international fame with the release of his critically acclaimed film “Yeelen” in 1987, which captured the Jury Prize at Cannes and earned a nomination for the best foreign film at the 1989 Spirit Awards. Renowned director Martin Scorsese praised “Yeelen” as a transformative experience. Cissé's dedication to promoting African narratives through cinema will leave an indelible mark on filmmakers and audiences alike.