Dao is a 2026 drama film written and directed by Alain Gomis. It stars Katy Correa, DâÂÂJohé Kouadio, Samir Guesmi, Mike Etienne, Nicolas Gomis and Fara Baco Gomis, and follows explores ritual, memory, and culture between the African immigrants in France and their native country.
The film had its world premiere at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 14 February 2026, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear. It will be theatrically released in France by Jour2Fête on 29 April.
Structured between two ceremoniesâÂÂa wedding in France and a commemorative ritual in Guinea-BissauâÂÂthe film traces a cyclical movement through everyday gestures, encounters, and transitions, blending lived reality with ritual and memory.
A FranceâÂÂSenegalâÂÂGuinea-Bissau co-production, Dao was written and directed by Alain Gomis and developed from personal experiences, including the director's attendance at his father's funeral ceremony in Guinea-Bissau. Gomis has described the project as his most personal work, emphasizing collective energy and participation during production.
Principal photography for Dao began on 2 May 2024 in Guinea-Bissau and concluded in June in the Paris region. Filming took place from 2 to 12 May in Guinea-Bissau and from 15 to 23 June in the Yvelines department in France. The project received support from multiple institutions, including the Centre national du cinéma et de lâÂÂimage animée (CNC) through its advance-on-receipts program, the Images de la Francophonie fund, Arte/Cofinova, and several Sofica funds. The film was pre-purchased by Canal+, Ciné+, Canal+ International, and TV5 Monde.
Dao is produced by Sylvie Pialat and Benoît Quainon for Les Films du Worso, and by Christophe Barral and Toufik Ayadi for SRAB Films, with co-production by Senegalese companies Yennenga Productions and Nafi Films, and Telecine Bissau Produções in Guinea-Bissau.
Dao had its world premiere at the main competition of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 14 February 2026, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear.
French distribution is handled by Jour2Fête, which will release the film theatrically in France on 29 April 2026. International sales are managed by The Party Film Sales.