Maguèye Kassé, a leading Senegalese scholar of Ousmane Sembène, died in Dakar on July 22 at 77, Burkina Faso's cinema and audiovisual agency (ABCA) announced on July 24.
Kassé was a longtime fixture at FESPACO, the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou, where he spent years contributing to panels, lectures, and overall discourse on African cinema.
A professor at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar and former commissioner-general of the Dak'Art Biennale, Kassé led the Association Sembène Ousmane, dedicated to preserving Sembène's work.
An official statement from the ABCA reads:
"It is with immense sadness that we learned of the passing of our dear friend.
His commitment and invaluable contribution to the stature and international reach of FESPACO will remain forever in our memories. Through his dedication and his passion for African cinema, he had a lasting influence on many generations.
His passing leaves a profound void within the cultural and film community.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, his loved ones, and all those who knew him.
May his soul rest in peace."
FESPACO's 30th edition runs March 20–27, 2027.