Congo Boy tells the story of Robert, a Congolese 17-year-old displaced by civil war to the Central African Republic. With his parents imprisoned over their immigration status, Robert is left to care for his four younger siblings while balancing school, odd jobs, and his dream of becoming a musician. Hiding his Congolese identity for fear of deportation, he turns to songwriting and performance as both an escape and an expression of hope during a time of extraordinary uncertainty.
Offering a deeply human perspective on the impact of conflict through the eyes of a teenager determined to build a better future, Congo Boy cleverly weaves together the personal, political, and socioeconomic forces that shape Robert’s life. Immersing audiences in the realities of growing up without a sense of belonging, the film offers an intimate portrait of the refugee experience while celebrating the power of art, family, and ambition to sustain hope in the face of immense adversity.
Content Considerations: Implied underage drinking; off-screen gun violence in which the teenage protagonist is shot, with no blood, graphic injury, or death depicted. If you have any questions about this film and its content, please contact us anytime at [email protected].
Best Actor: Un Certain Regard, Cannes 2026
Bradley Fiomona, Christy Djomanda Louba, Pétruche Mbomba, Rosiana Kotozia, Gloria Ambacko, Dieufera Sana
Central African Republic/France/
Democratic Republic of the Congo/Italy
2026
In Sango, French, Lingala, and Swahili with English subtitles
In-Cinema
Date |
Time |
Venue |
| Oct 9 | 9:15 am | International Village, Cinema 9 |
How to Book
Free for schools, capacity for all films is limited. To book, submit your request with the online form below. Our Ignite team will respond to confirm availability and complete your booking.
Questions? Contact our Ignite team at [email protected]
Education Resources
Primary Curriculum Interests:
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French 9-12
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Social Studies 9-10
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Comparative Cultures 12
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English Language Arts 10-12
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Media Arts 10-12
Other Curriculum Interests:
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Social Justice 12
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Human Rights 12
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Music 11-12
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Film Studies 11 + 12
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Political Studies 1
Credits & Director
Producer
Boris Lojkine, Elvis Sabin Ngaïbino, Daniele Incalcaterra
Screenwriter
Rafiki Fariala, Tommy Baron
Cinematography
Adrien Lallau
Editor
César Simonot
Original Music
Rafiki Fariala, Lillo Morealle
Rafiki Fariala
Born 1997 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Fariala Alolea Albert moved to the Central African Republic as a young child when his parents sought refuge due to the war. He recorded his first song “Je Suis Élève” in 2013, and when it became a hit he adopted his stage name Rafiki. In 2017, he discovered filmmaking during a documentary course at the University of Bangui, and in 2022 he made his feature debut with the documentary We, Students! The film was selected for the Berlinale and won numerous awards in festivals, including two awards at Cinéma du Réel.
Filmography: We, Students! (2022)
Photo by César Simonot
