Pascal Abikanlou

Pascal Abikanlou (1936? – 2009) was a Beninese film maker, director and producer. He is considered the "father of Beninese cinema".

Biography Pascal Abikanlou was born in Pobe, a locality close to the border with Nigeria. Abikanlou is of Nago-Yoruba origin and comes from a royal lineage of Pobe. His father was sentenced to four years in prison by the French colonial authorities for defending a possible attachment of Pobe to Nigeria. He was educated at Maurice Delafosse High School in Dakar and was an industrial designer by training. He trained as a photographer by correspondence, then became a reporter and assistant cameraman and finally a director.

Career He directed the first feature movie Under the sign of Vaudoun in 1974.

Filmography Under the sign of voodoo 1974 Ganvié, my village 1967 Stopover at Dahomey 1968 First offerings 1969 The Yam Festival 1969 Operation Sonader 1971 Water and shade 1971 Africa at the rendezvous of the holy year 1975 Sous le signe du vaudou 1976 The Wind of Hope 1992 Ouidah 92 1993 Danhome Kingdom of Huegbadjavi 1989