Moussa SÈNE Absa was born in 1958 in Tableau Ferraille, a suburb of Dakar. A multi-faceted artist, painter, writer, musician, actor and theater director, Moussa Sène Absa got his start in cinema by writing the screenplay for the film Les enfants de Dieu, followed by the short film Le Prix du Mensonge, which won a Carthage award in 1988. He made his stage debut as an actor, then moved on to directing the play La légende de Ruba, which he also wrote. His screenplay Les Enfants de Dieu won an award at the Fort-de-France Francophone Film Festival, and his first feature, the short film Le Prix du mensonge, won him the Tanit d'argent at the 1988 Carthage Film Festival. In 1991, he directed a 16mm feature film, KEN BUGUL, followed by several shorts, Jaaraama, Set setal and Entre vos mains in 1992. The following year, he directed MOLAAN and OFFRANDE À MAME NJARE, followed by the feature film ÇA TWISTE À POPONGUINE, which won several international awards. In 1994, he made a medium-length film, Yalla Yaana, and in 1996, TABLEAU FERRAILLE, a 35mm feature that won several awards, including Best Cinematography (Bertrand Chatry) at FESPACO 97. For Productions de La Lanterne, he directed the documentaries Jëf-Jël (1998) and Blues pour une diva (1999). In 2002, he directed Madame Brouette, a film in "homage to the affirmation of women". In this film, music and song are omnipresent, but the chorus, which intervenes in the manner of Griots, is there to challenge us and remind us in an incantatory way that an individual's destiny is often the fruit of his past. While preparing MADAME BROUETTE, he produced a daily comedy series, Goorgorlu, for Télévision du Sénégal, which proved an unparalleled hit with viewers. His talent as a painter is also recognized, and his works are exhibited in Senegal, Europe and America. His films include Le Prix du mensonge, 1988, cm, fiction, (Tanit d'Argent - Carthage 1988) Ken Bugul, la République des enfants, 1991, lm, fiction Jaaraama, 1992, cm, documentary Ça twiste à Popenguine, 1993, lm, fiction Yalla Yaana, 1994, mm, fiction Tableau Ferraille, 1996, lm, fiction Jef-Jel, 1998, mm, documentary Blues pour une diva, 1999, mm, documentary Madame Brouette, 2003, fiction, Silver Bear at the Berlinale Teranga blues, 2006, fiction, in competition at FESPACO 2007. Yoolé, Le Sacrifice -2012 in competition at Fespaco 2013 L'Affaire SEYE, documentary 62 mn-2016

Actress and influential figure in the world of cinema, Babetidia Sadia embodies the passion and diversity of African cinema. As patron of this 9th edition of the Brussels International Film Festival, she brings a strong and committed vision, supporting young talent and encouraging new cinematic perspectives. Her presence symbolizes the celebration of African 7th art, and she invites audiences to share this passion through a bold and inspiring program.

Born in Dakar on August 9, 1953, Clarence Thomas Delgado comes from a Cape Verdean family. Following in the footsteps of his diplomat uncle, he trained as a cinematographer and cinematographer in Portugal. Back in Senegal, he worked with Paulin Soumanou Vieyra. Director of the feature film "Niiwam", Delgado has also worked as an assistant on numerous films, and co-produced several works. After a break, he directed "Que le père soit" in 2020 and is now working on series and documentaries. Producer and manager of Art Média Productions, he sits on various international juries and is involved in Senegalese associative life, notably with SODAV and CINESEAS.

Belgian multidisciplinary artist (actor, director and composer) of Congolese (DRC) origin, he arrived in Belgium in 1971. Plays soprano saxophone, guitar and African percussion. He studied psychology while practicing music with the Groupe Gomma Percussions and the Eko-Kuango group. His theater credits include Jacques Nichet's "La tragédie du Roi Christophe" at the Cour d'Honneur, Avignon (1996), as well as "Richard III" (2001), "Hamlet" (2012) and "Macbeth" (2019), directed by Michel Dezoteux. He also plays Macbeth in a production by Guy Theunissen (2020), "Combat de Nègre et de Chiens" (2022), directed by Mathieu Boisliveau... For 15 years, he will be in residence at Théâtre Varia (Brussels) as an actor and director. He has directed and acted in a number of productions. His film credits include Xavier Giannoli's Marguerite with Catherine Frot, and Patrick Ridremont's Dead Man Talking with Virginie Efira and François Berléand, for which he was nominated for a Magritte du Cinéma award. "Antoinette dans les Cévennes" by Caroline Vignal, "L'Ascension" by Ludovic Bernard, "Orlando" by Daniele Vicari, "OVNIS" by Antony Cordier, "Dix pour cent" by Antoine Garceau, "Notre tout petit mariage" by Frédéric Quiring... More info: www.denismpunga.be

Yves-Marina Gnahoua, born on August 15, 1973, began her acting career in 2000 after winning two first prizes in declamation and dramatic art at the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles in 1998/1999. She has had the opportunity to work with major directors such as Raven Ruel at the KVS, Guy Cassiers at Het Paleis, Mieja Hollevoet, and Greet Vissers at the Theater Box in Gent. In Wallonia, she has performed at Théâtre du Parc, Varia, Poche, Centre Culturel d'Uccle and Théâtre de la Vie. For several years now, she has been collaborating with "La Compagnie Des Nouveaux Disparus" directed by Jamal Yousffi. Yves-Marina has also appeared in series such as "La Trêve", "Les Gens Bien", and the most recent on Streamz, "Kameleon". Her film credits include Baloji's "Augure", which won her the Magritte for best supporting actor this year.