Gabon: President Oligui Nguema Honors Filmmaker Melchy Obiang for International Success. LIBREVILLE, Gabon — 5 March 2026 (AGP) – President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon has expressed his admiration for the country’s filmmaker Melchy Obiang, who has recently been recognized with several international awards.
The president met with Obiang this week to celebrate his achievements, which have brought honor to the nation and encouraged further commitment to the development of Gabon’s ambitious and competitive film industry.
During the meeting, President Oligui Nguema commended Obiang for his contributions to the cinematic arts, emphasizing the importance of his work in enhancing Gabon’s cultural presence on the global stage. Obiang’s recent accolades include the Best Feature Film and Audience Award at the 7th International African and Caribbean Film Festival in Paris last December.
He also received the Best African Feature Film 2025 award at the African Excellence ceremony in Abidjan in January 2026.
Furthermore, the filmmaker has been nominated for an international film festival in Togo, scheduled for April, as announced by the Togolese Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture.
In his remarks, Obiang highlighted the role of cinema in transmitting values, raising awareness, and fostering civic education among young people. He also emphasized the film industry’s potential to create jobs and opportunities for Gabon’s youth, particularly in production, direction, technical roles, and distribution.
The president reiterated his commitment to promoting culture as a catalyst for human development, social cohesion, and economic diversification in Gabon. This meeting underscores the government’s support for the arts and its recognition of the cultural sector’s role in national development.
