Paulin Soumanou Vieyra

• Name — Paulin Soumanou Vieyra • Born — 31 January 1925 • Birthplace — Porto-Novo, Dahomey • Died — 4 November 1987 • Place of death — Paris, France • Citizenship — Senegalese • Education — Institut des hautes études cinématographiques • Occupation — Film director • Years Active — 1954–82 • Notable Works — Afrique-sur-Seine • Known for — Founder of Fédération Panafricaine des Cinéastes • Spouse — Myriam Warner

Paulin Soumanou Vieyra was born on 31 January 1925 in Porto Novo, Dahomey. He was educated in Paris, France, where he studied at the Institut des hautes études cinématographiques.

In 1955 in Paris, Vieyra shot the first Francophone African film, Afrique-sur-Seine. His other important achievements for film in Africa include being one of the co-founders of the Fédération Panafricaine des Cinéastes (FEPACI) in 1969. He served as director of Actualités Sénégalaises, an important newsreel service in the two decades following Senegal’s Independence. In 1971, Vieyra was a member of the jury at the 7th Moscow International Film Festival. Two years later, he was a member of the jury at the 8th Moscow International Film Festival. In 1985 he was a member of the jury at the 14th Moscow International Film Festival.

He died in Paris on 4 November 1987, at the age of 62. His papers have been donated by his son, Stéphane Vieyra, to Indiana University's Black Film Center and Archive.