Rafiki Fariala • Director of Congo Boy
"This is the story of young refugee who didn't deserve this life, but I want it to be a story of hope"
by Ana Stanic
CANNES 2026: The young Congolese filmmaker discusses his first fiction feature, an incredible tale of hardship and resilience based on real events from his own life
We sat down with director and musician Rafiki Fariala, the young Congolese filmmaker presenting his first fiction feature Congo Boy in the Un Certain Regard section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival. Known for his Berlinale Panorama-selected documentary We, Students!, Fariala now brings an intensely personal story, an incredible tale of hardship and resilience based on real events from his own life.
















