Buka Labang, a Mandinka-language film on changes in destiny, and Hisirinwalle, a Sarahulleh-language family drama on ungratefulness. Pain of Sorrow was nominated for Best Film in the 2018 Hollywood African Prestigious Awards (HAPAwards). He is said to have inspired a "new wave of Gambian filmmaking." In 2018, two films that Sankanu co-produced were released. They include Faasike, with Bubacarr Zaidi Jallow, and Chossano, with Papis Kebbah Jobarteh and Frank Adim. Sankanu is also executive producer of Kelefa Saane, a documentary on a precolonial Senegambian hero, directed by Fenja Braster. Film scholarship Sankanu has stated that his aim is to become a "full professor of cinema." As such, he has advanced this aim by studying MLitt Film Studies: Theory and Practice at the University of Stirling, UK. Having graduated, Stirling have offered him the chance to study a PhD in African cinema at the institution, which he has deferred until his work schedule is not so busy. Personal life and politics Sankanu was married for 15 years, but it was dissolved in the Brikama Cadi Court after the marriage produced no children. He married again but this only lasted for five years. He is now on his third marriage. On 5 September 2016, Sankanu won a primary election in the German Pirate Party to stand as a candidate in parliamentary elections in North Rhine-Westphalia on 14 May 2017. He was to be a candidate in Wahkreis 17, covering the southeast district of Cologne. Sankanu previously attempted to stand as a candidate in European Parliament elections, but he missed the deadline for candidate registration. Sankanu has also been the Pirate Party's commissioner for sub-Saharan Africa. References Living people Upper River Division Gambian emigrants to Germany Alumni of the University of Stirling Gambian journalists Pirate Party Germany politicians Gambian film producers English-language film directors Gambian film directors Year of birth missing (living people)