Mati Diop was born on June 22, 1982, in Paris, France. She is of Senegalese and French descent. Her father is musician Wasis Diop, and her uncle is filmmaker Djibril Diop Mambéty, a significant figure in African cinema.
Diop began her acting career in the early 2000s. One of her earliest roles was in Claire Denis’s film *35 Shots of Rum* (2008), where she played Joséphine, a young woman exploring her independence. This role brought her initial recognition as an actress.
She also appeared in *Sleepwalking* (2009) directed by Boris Lojkine, and *Simon Killer* (2012) directed by Antonio Campos.
While also acting, Diop transitioned into directing. She directed several short films, including *Atlantiques* (2009), which served as a precursor to her feature film debut.
Diop’s feature film *Atlantique* (2019) was a major breakthrough. It premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prix. This made her the first Black woman to win a major prize at Cannes.
*Atlantique* was also selected as Senegal’s entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards. Diop has received numerous awards and nominations for her work, establishing her