Biografia

Trained in Moscow, at the world-famous VGIK Film Institute.

Member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1983

Member of the jury at the Venice Film Festival in 1996.

In 1982, Cissé produced Finyé (Wind), which tells the story of dissatisfied Malian youth rising up against the establishment. This earned him his second Yenenga's Talon, at 1983's Fespaco.

Cissé was awarded the 'Carrosse d'Or' award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, a symbol of the pioneering quality of his films. The award disappeared from his home in Bamako and was reported stolen on 29 April 29 2024. The loss caused significant public distress in Mali, prompting calls for collective efforts to recover the trophy and reaffirm the nation's cultural pride.