DirectorActressScriptwriter

Kayije Kagame

Born in 1987 in Geneva, actress, director, screenwriter, and producer Kayije Kagame studied at ENSATT (École Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Techniques du Théâtre) in Lyon.

She took part in Robert Wilson’s Watermill International Summer Program Residency in Long Island, USA, and was also an artist in residence at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris. The creator of numerous performances, sound pieces, films, and installations, she is currently touring with Intérieur Vie / Intérieur Nuit (Inner Life / Inner Night), which she co-directed with Hugo Radi.

The role of Rama in Saint Omer (2022) by Alice Diop marks her feature film acting debut. Saint Omer premiered in Venice, where it was awarded the Silver Lion. The film was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and has been invited to numerous festivals worldwide. Saint Omer was the French entry for the International Feature Film Competition at the 95th Academy Awards and was part of the film selection for the European Film Awards 2022. Kayije Kagame was selected as “Revelation” by the French Film Academy (Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma) for the Césars 2023.

The short film Night Shift, which she co-directed with Hugo Radi, won the Silver Leopard for Best Short Film in the national competition at the Locarno Film Festival and the “Asino d’Oro” award for Best Film at the Concorto Film Festival in Italy (2023).