Biography

Born and raised in Senegal, Mamadou Dia discovered cinema through the eclectic TV programming of his childhood, Bollywood epics, African classics, and Western films, forging a cinematic language rooted in the poetry of everyday life while exposing its poignant complexities. After studying hydrology at the University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, he spent eight years as a video-journalist across Africa with the Associated Press (AP) and Agence France-Presse (AFP), honing an eye for unfiltered human narratives. In 2014, he moved to New York, earning an MFA in Filmmaking from NYU Tisch, where his short Samedi Cinéma (2016) premiered at Venice and Toronto. His debut feature, Baamum Nafi (2019), a searing exploration of political and religious extremism through the lens of two brothers torn over a family wedding, won Best First Feature at Locarno, became Senegal's official Oscar submission, and screened at over 80 festivals worldwide. His second feature, Demba (2024), shot with non-actors in his hometown of Matam, premiered at Berlinale and delves into grief and indigenous mental health practices in Senegal. A co-founder of the production company Joyedidi, Mamadou champions stories that bridge rural Senegal and global audiences. 2025 Milestones: A Landmark Year Venice Film Festival 2025: Documentary Legacy (Soleil, Lune, Étoiles) selected for Final Cut, Venice's prestigious works-in-progress showcase. Harvard University: Appointed Visiting Assistant Professor in Art, Film, and Visual Studies (Fall 2025-Spring 2026), teaching his signature blend of Senegalese neo-realism and global storytelling. Academy Invitation: Joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as an Oscars judge, advocating for African cinema. Hubert Bals Fund: Awarded development support for Coumba, his upcoming feature which explores the place of rituals in an ever-changing society, following a detective returning to her hometown to investigate a murder tied to Coumba, a hoofed spirit, on the year's first full moon. Upcoming Projects Augustus: A lyrical interrogation of history's silences, supported by the Guggenheim Fellowship (2023) and Creative Capital Grant (2024).
- IMDb mini biography by: Mamadou Dia