Pauline Nambane Mvele, Digital Woman of the Year at DIWA 2024: "Hard work pays off"

Beyond her talent as a filmmaker and her commitment to Gabonese cinema, Pauline NAMBANE Mvele is one of the most inspiring women in the national digital sphere. Winner of the prestigious Digital Woman of the Year title at the DigieWomen Awards 2024, she looks back on her journey, her award, her inspirations and her vision of women's place in the digital world.

An unexpected win at the DigieWomen Awards

While many winners sometimes sense their victory coming, Pauline had not anticipated anything. On the night of the ceremony, she was quietly enjoying her award in the Digital Woman in Cinema category, convinced that her evening was complete.

"I was so relaxed… so much so that I hadn't even dressed up! No make-up, no gown. Just me, simple and natural."

When the most coveted award, "Digital Woman of the Year", was announced and her name was called, she was overcome with emotion. "I was in shock. I kept thinking: this can't be happening!"

Today, her trophies are proudly displayed in her office, a reminder of trust and recognition.

"My career has always flirted with digital"

Behind her natural calm and assumed simplicity, Pauline has a rich career built around a constant passion: storytelling. Trained in communication and journalism, she began her career in radio, an environment that was already largely digital. She then moved into print journalism, before discovering, almost by chance, the world of cinema, which would become her true artistic home.

"Cinema is deeply digital: from shooting to editing, technology is everywhere. In the end, without even realising it, my career has always been linked to digital."

It was by responding to a call for projects at the Escales Documentaires festival in Libreville that Pauline officially took her first steps as a director. Once selected, she realised her future lay in visual creation.

Why she was chosen: a strong digital footprint

While Pauline refuses to speculate on the jury's reasons, she does recall the chairman's words: she is one of the best-referenced personalities online. Wikipedia, articles, interviews, presence on AI platforms…

Her work is documented and visible, and reflects a consistent presence in the digital ecosystem. Her impact can also be measured through the powerful themes addressed in her films: memory, society, identity, freedom. Subjects that resonate with the digital age and contemporary struggles.

Her message to digital youth

Pauline passes on a simple but powerful piece of advice:

"Hard work pays off. Keep learning, stay curious, stay humble. Work, work, work… and God will do the rest."

She sends her encouragement to all the candidates and hopes for an even bolder, bigger and more inspiring 2025 edition.