Rungano Nyoni is a compelling voice in contemporary African cinema, a Zambian-Welsh director whose films blend satire, surrealism, and honesty about culture, gender, and power. Her debut I Am Not a Witch (2017) won a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut, and her second feature On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (2024) earned her Best Director at Cannes. Her stories feel deeply Zambian yet universally human.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Rungano Nyoni |
| Date of Birth | April 17, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Lusaka, Zambia |
| Nationality | Zambian-Welsh |
| Province of Origin | Lusaka Province, Zambia |
| Partner | Gabriel Gauchet |
| Children | One daughter |
| Occupations | Film Director, Screenwriter, Actress |
| Net Worth | $1.5M – $2.5M (estimated) |
Early Life and Education
Nyoni was born on April 17, 1982, in Lusaka, Zambia, to Merill Mutale and Thomas Nyoni. Her name means “storyteller” in Shona. At age nine, her family moved to Wales, and she grew up in Cardiff, absorbing both Zambian and British cultures. That dual identity has shaped her work from the beginning.
She studied Business Studies at the University of Birmingham, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce, then earned a master’s degree in acting from Drama Centre London in 2009—where she realized she wanted to direct films instead of perform in them.
Career
Nyoni built her reputation through award-winning short films like Mwansa the Great (2011), which screened at 100+ festivals and won 20+ prizes, and The Mass of Men (2012), which won the Golden Leopard at Locarno. Her short Listen (Kuuntele) (2014) earned Best Short at Tribeca and became Oscar-nominated.
Her breakthrough feature I Am Not a Witch (2017) is a satire about a nine-year-old girl accused of witchcraft. It won a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut, Best Director at the British Independent Film Awards, and Best Feature at the Africa International Film Festival.
Her second feature On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (2024) won Best Director at Cannes. In 2023, she served on the Cannes Feature Film Jury, and in 2024, she moved back to Zambia with her partner and daughter.
Personal Life
Nyoni’s partner is Gabriel Gauchet, a producer who worked on On Becoming a Guinea Fowl. They have a daughter. After living in Lisbon, she moved back to Zambia in 2024. She holds dual nationality, Zambian and Welsh.
Net Worth
Rungano Nyoni’s net worth is estimated at approximately $1.5 million to $2.5 million. This estimate comes from her BAFTA win, Cannes Best Director award, two critically acclaimed feature films, festival prize money, production fees, and teaching work.
Filmography
As Director and Writer
| Year | Title | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Yande | Short film | First film; black-and-white super 8mm |
| 2009 | 20 Questions | Short film | Early work exploring personal storytelling |
| 2009/2010 | The List | Video Short (20 min) | Won BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Short Film |
| 2011 | Mwansa the Great | Short film (23 min) | 100+ festivals; 20+ prizes; BAFTA nomination |
| 2012 | The Mass of Men | Short film (17 min) | Golden Leopard at Locarno; co-directed with Gabriel Gauchet |
| 2013 | Z1 | Short film | Continuation of short-form experimentation |
| 2014 | Listen (Kuuntele) | Short film (13 min) | Best Short at Tribeca 2015; Oscar-nominated |
| 2017 | I Am Not a Witch | Feature film (93 min) | BAFTA Outstanding Debut; Cannes Directors’ Fortnight |
| 2024 | On Becoming a Guinea Fowl | Feature film (95 min) | Cannes Best Director 2024; Zurich Film Festival winner |
As Actor
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Sarah Jane Adventures | Secretary |
| 2010 | Iron Doors | — |
| 2011 | Secrecy | Lucy |
Awards and Recognition
Nyoni has won 58 awards and received 42 nominations across her career. Her major honors include:
- BAFTA Cymru for Best Short Film (The List, 2010)
- Golden Leopard Award at Locarno Film Festival (The Mass of Men, 2012)
- Best Short Film at Tribeca Film Festival (Listen, 2015)
- Best Director and Douglas Hickox Award at British Independent Film Awards (I Am Not a Witch, 2017)
- BAFTA for Outstanding Debut (I Am Not a Witch, 2018)
- Best Director – Un Certain Regard at Cannes Film Festival (On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, 2024)
- Feature Film Award at Zurich Film Festival (On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, 2024)
She was also named one of the 100 Brilliant, Black and Welsh people in 2018 and served on the Cannes Feature Film Jury in 2023.
