From the Industry
158 articles
Sudu Connexion Acquires Fan Sissoko's "Sundruð" at Annecy World Premiere
Sudu Connexion, the pan-African sales and distribution company, has acquired the short animated film "Sundruð" (Hold It Together) by French-Malian director Fan Sissoko, announced at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
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“TIFF: The Market” Confirms Six African Buyers for Inaugural Edition
Six buyers from three African countries are among the more than 130 confirmed for the first edition of “TIFF: The Market,” the new acquisitions market the Toronto International Film Festival launches this September.
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Togo Moves Toward Activating National Film and Audiovisual Fund
Togo has moved closer to activating its national film and audiovisual support fund, FoNSICA.
ReadZeudi Araya, Eritrean Actress and Producer in Italian Cinema, Dies at 75
Zeudi Araya, the Eritrean-born actress and producer who became one of the best-known Black screen figures in 1970s Italian cinema and later helped steward a major Italian film library, died on May 24, 2026.
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Zambia Announces 'Creative Convergence' Program Combining Industry Summit and National Arts Festival
Zambia's Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Africa Creative Market, and the National Arts Council of Zambia announced a joint "Creative Convergence" program at a press conference at the Lusaka Showgrounds on 13 June 2026.
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Tunisia Names Mokhtar Ajimi Director General of the 37th Carthage Film Festival
Tunisia's Ministry of Cultural Affairs has appointed the director, screenwriter and producer Mokhtar Ajimi as Director General of the 37th edition of the Journées Cinématographiques de Carthage (JCC), set for December 12–19, 2026 in Tunis.
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Serge Bilé Revisits Côte d'Ivoire's 1966 History in New Documentary
Journalist and documentarist Serge Bilé has made a new documentary, "Côte d'Ivoire 1966," about a year he describes as decisive in the history of Côte d'Ivoire, the West African country that gained independence from France in 1960.
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How Often Have African Films Won the Six Festival Prizes Now Tied to the Oscars?
On May 1, the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released the rules for the 99th Oscars.
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'And She Didn't Die' wins the 8th Adiaha Award for Best Documentary by an African Woman
Kethiwe Ngcobo's portrait of her mother, exiled feminist writer Lauretta Ngcobo, takes the Ladima Foundation's flagship documentary prize — and a screening slot at AFRIKAMERA 2026 in Berlin this November.
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'And She Didn't Die' Trailer: Kethiwe Ngcobo's 8th Adiaha Award Winner
Watch the trailer for And She Didn't Die, Kethiwe Ngcobo's portrait of her mother, exiled feminist writer Lauretta Ngcobo — winner of the 8th Adiaha Award for Best Documentary by an African Woman.
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'Mother City' Trailer: Miki Redelinghuys and Pearlie Joubert's 2025 Adiaha Award Winner
Watch the trailer for Mother City, the South African documentary by Miki Redelinghuys and Pearlie Joubert that won the 2025 Adiaha Award for Best Documentary by an African Woman.
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'Our Land, Our Freedom' Trailer: Zippy Kimundu and Meena Nanji's 2024 Adiaha Award Winner
Watch the trailer for Our Land, Our Freedom, the Kenyan documentary by Zippy Kimundu and Meena Nanji that won the 2024 Adiaha Award for Best Documentary by an African Woman.
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Makgano Mamabolo and Yemi Oyefuwa Selected for European Showrunner Training 2026
South African showrunner Makgano Mamabolo and UK writer Yemi Oyefuwa are among 12 writers selected for the fifth edition of European Showrunner Training, a six-month initiative run by ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln in Cologne.
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Ghana Launches Revised National Cultural Policy, But Full Document Has Not Been Released
Ghana launched its Revised National Cultural Policy on 9 June 2026 at the National Theatre in Accra.
ReadAfrican & Diasporic Audience Development Think Tank at Cannes: 40 Practitioners, Six Tables, One Question
On 15 May 2026, Yetu (Un)limited convened the second edition of "The African and Diasporic Audience Development Think Tank" at Hotel Canopy in Cannes, gathering invited practitioners across six thematic tables to interrogate how African cinema builds — and is paid by — its global audiences. The session was the closing programme of the Nomadic Film Space at the Marché du Film.
ReadCANAL+ Adds Adichie's "Americanah" to African Project Pipeline
CANAL+ has added Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Americanah" to its African development slate, reviving a project whose earlier HBO Max adaptation fell apart in 2020.
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‘Diddy: The Reckoning’ Director’s Biggest Challenge Was ‘Cutting Through Social Media’ Noise to Get to the Truth
‘Diddy: The Reckoning’ Director’s Biggest Challenge Was ‘Cutting Through Social Media’ Noise to Get to the Truth “Get the truth.
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Three Kenyan Projects Selected for Durban FilmMart Pitch and Finance Forum 2026
Kenya lands three of 36 official Pitch and Finance Forum slots at the 17th Durban FilmMart (9–12 Oct, Durban): Mkamzee Mwatela's fiction series Fisi, Mary Waweru Wanjiku's animated co-pro capoZOOeira (Kenya/Brazil), and Mumo Liku's documentary feature Majuto si Mjukuu. Each project gets one-on-one mentorship and access to Africa's biggest film finance market.
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Saudi Arabia Raises Film & TV Cash Rebate to 60% — and What It Means for African Production
At Cannes 2026, the Saudi Film Commission lifted its headline cash rebate from 40% to 60% — now the highest in the world. FRA reads the structural overhaul, the Gulf strategy behind it, and the competitive pressure (and opportunities) for Morocco, South Africa, Kenya and the wider African production sector.
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Fight Like a Girl review – fiercely authentic setting lifts powerful female boxer drama
Here is an underdog boxing movie from the Democratic Republic of the Congo that has a powerful, heart-wrenching true story behind it – as well as featuring a compelling performance by young South African actor Ama Qamata.
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‘Ben’Imana’ Review: Survivors of the Rwandan Genocide Consider the Meaning of Justice in Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo’s Remarkable Debut
There’s a crucial scene roughly halfway through Peter Weir’s “Fearless” (1993) in which the survivors of a horrific plane crash gather together in a session intended for them to vocalize their traumatic experiences of the accident as a means of healing.
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Africa Is Writing Its Own AI Future — And It Starts Right Now
From Cannes to Lagos — this week’s tech stories reveal Africa’s AI filmmaking moment: the DCAA×Video Rebirth partnership, Ebele Okoye on creative sovereignty, the $26B microdrama window, and capital moving toward African-owned platforms.
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DCAA Partners with Video Rebirth to Train 100 Vertical/Microdrama Filmmakers in Africa's First AI Filmmaking Scholarship
The Digital Creator Africa Academy (DCAA) and Video Rebirth, makers of the BACH AI engine, announced a landmark partnership at Cannes 2026 — fully scholarshipping 100 African creators in DCAA's AI Filmmaking stream and embedding industrial-grade AI production tools into Africa's first certified microdrama academy.
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Nomadic Film Space Lands at Cannes Marché du Film With a New Financing Bridge for African and Diaspora Producers
A new traveling market platform launches inside the Cannes Marché du Film on 14–15 May, pairing African and diaspora producers with private equity, institutional capital, and the audience-design thinking the continent has been missing from global co-pro conversations.
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Meta Launches 'Made by Africa, Loved by the World' 2026 — Spotlighting African Cinema
Meta's sixth annual pan-African campaign zeroes in on African cinema with a five-part vodcast series profiling Kehinde Bankole, Linda Mtoba, Nomzamo Mbatha, Osas Ighodaro and Tobi Bakre, plus a Meta AI–powered evolution of the #ShareYourAfrica community challenge.
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‘Low Expectations:’ Marie Ulven & Anders Danielsen Lie Lead Buzzy Norwegian Directors’ Fortnight Title — First Look Clip
EXCLUSIVE:We have the first official clip from Low Expectations, the buzzy Norwegian title set to debut in this year’s Directors’ Fortnight competition at Cannes.
WatchSouth African Film Industry Founders as State Withholds Support — Bloomberg
Bloomberg reports on industry-wide impact of delayed DTIC and NFVF support payments, with productions stalling and companies under stress. Actors protested at Parliament in January 2026.
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Canada–South Africa Audiovisual Co-Production Treaty Now in Force Since 1 January 2026
The modernized Canada–SA treaty replaces the 1997 agreement. Approved co-productions qualify as national productions in both countries, unlocking combined incentives of up to 35–40%.
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Abba Makama Directs "The Odyssey" — Yoruba Music Documentary Co-Produced by Adekunle Gold
Abba T. Makama is directing The Odyssey, a documentary tracing Yoruba and Afrobeats music history, co-produced by Nigerian superstar Adekunle Gold, featuring Seun Kuti and Ebenezer Obey.
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Kunle Afolayan Signs Landmark Film Partnership with Benin Republic's SOPA
KAP Motion Pictures signed an MOU with Société de Productions Audiovisuelles (SOPA) of Benin Republic for regional film collaboration, youth training, and creative infrastructure.
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NollywoodWeek Paris 2026 Unveils First Nigerian Titles and Expands Programme (6–10 May)
NollywoodWeek Paris reveals first slate of Nigerian titles for 2026 edition running 6–10 May, plus new industry partnerships expanding the market programme.
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Cannes 2026: Three African Productions Selected for Un Certain Regard — Including First-Ever Rwandan Director
Congo Boy (CAR/DRC/France), Strawberries (Morocco), and Ben'imana (Rwanda) — the first film by a Rwandan director ever selected for Cannes — headline African representation at the 79th festival.
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Streaming Giants Push for Greener Film Production in South Africa
Netflix, Disney and other streamers publicly pledging to cut emissions by up to half by 2030. Netflix shot One Piece S2 in Cape Town using a solar-powered base camp.
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Nollywood April 2026: Must-Watch Releases Including The Return of Arinzo and Spark in the Dark
April 2026 brings a wave of Nollywood productions to cinemas and streaming — from The Return of Arinzo (reviewed by The Guardian) to Behind the Scenes' record-breaking box office run.
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Canal+ Signs Landmark Deal to Distribute Netflix Originals Across 24 Francophone African Countries
Canal+ will distribute Netflix originals including Blood & Water, Blood Sisters, and Young Famous & African across French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa following Canal+'s acquisition of MultiChoice.
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Both Worlds × Freeli Films Launch First U.S.–Africa Microdrama Co-Production Partnership
SA-based Both Worlds Pictures and Atlanta's Freeli Films announced the first U.S.–Africa microdrama co-production partnership, with Taye Diggs attached to the debut co-production.
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Cannes 2026: NIFS and Nile Entertainment Partner on Focus on Africa Conference
Nigerian International Film Summit and Moses Babatope's Nile Entertainment will co-produce a Focus on Africa Conference at Cannes 2026, profiling African co-production, finance and distribution.
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Canal+ Reveals Date It Will List On Johannesburg Stock Exchange As French Giant Actions MultiChoice “Turnaround Plan”
Canal+ will list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on June 3, becoming the first French company to do so. The move follows its acquisition of MultiChoice, with Q1 results showing a 41% revenue boost to €2.1B. CEO Maxime Saada outlined a "turnaround plan" for MultiChoice after shuttering Showmax.
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The Return of Arinzo review – families who hate each other clash in noirish Nollywood thriller
This Nigerian thriller unfolds mostly in the bustling city of Lagos but it makes excursions to Ghana and Tanzania and casts actors from all three countries, making for a diverse, textured tale that is thoroughly entertaining.
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Showmax Shuts Down 30 April 2026: Impact on African Streaming and Content Pipelines
Choosing what to watch in South Africa has changed.
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WatchRoom Launches First Live Digital Premiere with “It’s Over”
WatchRoom is reimagining how films are experienced—launching its first live, interactive premiere where audiences across locations watch and react together in real time.
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Africa Gospel Film Project 2026 Trains 60 Christian Filmmakers, Commissions "God's Creative Army"
The Africa Gospel Film Project trained 60 Christian filmmakers across the continent and commissioned a flagship production.
ReadCassandra Onwualu: 8 Genres for Nollywood and African Filmmakers
Pulse article framing eight commercially viable genre lanes for African filmmakers — useful framing for packaging creative supply for global commissioners.
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African Screen Culture 2026 — Big-Picture Read (AKOROKO)
AKOROKO's 10-question framing piece on what shapes the African screen sector this year — pan-African co-productions, cinema-screen growth, YouTube-to-cinema pipeline, Disney/Warner Bros animation interest.
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EbonyLife, Genesis, Nile & Silverbird Co-Produce 'The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives' for Dec 2026
Mo Abudu's EbonyLife returns to theatrical filmmaking with adaptation of Lola Shoneyin's novel. Four-way pan-Nigerian production + exhibition consortium targets global cinema release December 2026.
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Ghana — Push for 20% Film Tax Rebate and Equipment Import Exemptions
Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante (Blackstar International Film Festival) calling on Parliament to pass a creative tax incentive bill — proposed 20% rebate for strategic productions plus import duty exemptions.
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Kenya Creative Economy Bill 2026 — Ruto Fast-Tracks Landmark Legislation After Meeting Artistes
President Ruto directed the National Assembly to fast-track the Creative Economy Bill 2026 after meeting Gengetone/Urbantone artistes who lost 700+ songs to exploitative foreign contracts. Bill establishes Kenya Audio-Visual & Cinema Commission, regulatory authority, Creative Industry Development Fund, and e-Citizen royalty portal. PSC has approved staffing framework to hire artists into civil service.
ReadNetflix's 2026 African Slate: South Africa and Nigeria Remain Priorities as Originals Roll Out
South Africa and Nigeria remain Netflix's African production priorities in 2026. Aníkúlápó series returns, multiple SA and Nigerian originals are in production, and South Africa is now described as one of Netflix's global production hubs.
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African Filmmaking Talent Is Thriving Globally — But the Market Is Stumbling
A Variety analysis finds African filmmaking talent is gaining global recognition at an unprecedented rate, but the business models and market infrastructure supporting African content are resetting. Post-Amazon, post-Netflix pullback, questions remain about who builds a sustainable ecosystem.
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Togo's International Film Festival (FIFTO) 2026 Opens in Lomé — 33 Films Screening
The 9th FIFTO opened 14 April 2026 in Lomé, running through 18 April. 33 films screen across documentary and fiction categories, with the theme 'Telling our realities: African cinema in local languages and everyday stories.' Films from Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Senegal, France, and Togo.
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‘Ben’Imana’ Makes History as First Film by a Rwandan Director to Premiere in the Cannes Official Selection
Ben’Imana, the debut feature by Rwandan filmmaker Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo, is among the African films selected in Un Certain Regard at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
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Morocco Allocates 54.9 Million Dirhams to Support Film Festivals Nationwide
Morocco's Film Festivals Support Committee has allocated nearly 54.9 million dirhams to back cinematic events across the country, reinforcing government commitment to the national film industry.
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Eight Feature Recommendations from ND/NF 2026, From an IFFR Winner to Charli XCX’s Indie Debut
Most of the festival’s selections arrive by way of fests such as Berlin, Busan, Cannes, Sundance, Locarno and Venice, and as usual, there’s no shortage of adventurous, audacious work on display.
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The Stranger review – lustrously beautiful and superbly realised modern take on the Camus classic
A heatstricken reverie of violence and mystery unfolds in this film, a numb ecstasy of the inexplicable, as experienced by a sensitive white European under the unbearable noonday sun.
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Out of the Caribbean: Guadeloupe’s Film Festival Crowns a New Wave of Caribbean Cinema
The 9th Nouveaux Regards Film Festival wrapped up in Guadeloupe, honouring filmmakers from Haiti, Guyana, Curaçao, Suriname and Barbados — proving Caribbean cinema is not waiting for anyone's permission to exist.
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Palmtrees, Funa Maduka's Screenplay Incubator, Partners With Neon
Former Netflix Africa executive Funa Maduka has launched Palmtrees, a funded screenplay development incubator focused on stories from Africa and the global South, and partnered with Oscar-winning distributor Neon for its inaugural cohort of 8-10 writers.
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What is the first film you saw as a child?
Ugandan filmmaker Lovinsa Kavuma reflects on the first film her father projected on their living room wall in Kampala — a Luganda story called Njabala — and how that moment shaped her journey from Uganda Television to the Zanzibar International Film Festival and a career in documentary filmmaking across Africa.
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AMVCA 2026: Kenya Lands 12 Nominations in Nigeria
Julie Brenda Nyambura in 'MTV Shuga Mashariki' S1.
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Series Mania 2026: Chase Infiniti, ‘Harry Potter,’ Duffy, Poland’s ‘Proud’ and a Snapshot of Europe’s TV Industry at a Crossroads
With 5,200 delegates at the Series Mania Forum, its industry area, and 110,000 spectators, 2026’s edition did nothing to dent the status of Series Mania as Europe’s biggest and most important TV festival.
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What’s Coming to Netflix in April 2026
Netflix is rolling into April 2026 with a packed slate of originals, returning favorites and new arrivals.
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As Hollywood Panics Over AI Job Losses, Curious Refuge Says It Has the Answer
If you’re 73, have worked on a string of hits ranging from Forrest Gump to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and have two Oscars on your shelf, it might seem like a strange decision to suddenly go back to school. But for production designer Rick Carter, the rise of AI seemed like an opportunity to
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Kalasha Awards 2026: ‘Nawi’ Leads Overall with 15 Nominations as ‘Kash Money’, ‘MTV Shuga Mashariki’ and ‘Big Girl Small Word’ Tie in TV
[](https://www.sinemafocus.com/amvca-2026-nominees-kenya-12-nominations/) [AWARDS NEWS](https://www.sinemafocus.com/c/industry/awards/) ### [AMVCA 20
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Zimbabwe's 2026 Budget Introduces Film Industry Incentives: Duty Rebates and 200% Capital Allowance
Zimbabwe's 2026 National Budget positions film as industrial policy — extending duty rebates to foreign productions importing equipment and offering 200% capital deductions for investment in studios, sound stages, and post-production facilities.
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Praise Odigie Paige’s (Very) Unusual Route To Sundance
Born in Nigeria, raised in the US, Praise Odigie Paige has led a life fit for film.
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Watchroom Launches 'Social Cinema' Infrastructure for African Creators
Watchroom is officially launching its "Social Cinema" distribution infrastructure. We are currently selecting 3 independent production partners for our Q2 2026 Pilot Phase to run synchronized digital premieres with an 80/20 revenue split in favor of creators.
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Why We No Longer See Nollywood Stars In Adverts
The internet has upended a major revenue outlet for Nollywood celebrities.
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African Producers Accelerator Opens 2026 Applications After Successful Pilot Year
The 12-week programme targets mid-career African film producers and offers tailor-made advisory and practical support designed around each producer's specific company and slate.
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SABC Cancels 'Face the Nation' Amid Allegations of ANC Political Pressure
The SABC has dismissed suggestions that political pressure influenced its decision not to recommission its current affairs programme Face the Nation, insisting the move was part of standard programming changes. This is in response to a report by the Sunday Times citing sources that suggested the dec
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Don Cheadle Joins Doc Series ‘Vs. Goliath’ As Exec Producer
EXCLUSIVE: Don Cheadle is joining the production crew of doc series Vs. Goliath. The Ocean’s Eleven, Iron Man 2 and Hotel Rwanda actor has become an exec producer on the show alongside The Solutions Project, a non-profit organization centered around climate justice in frontline communities. Vs. Goli
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Meet The Advisory Board Of Nigeria's First ₦20bn SEC-Approved Film Fund
The fund was launched in October 2025 as a closed-ended vehicle designed to address longstanding financing challenges in Nollywood.
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New Projects by Kathryn Ferguson, Asmae El Moudir and Véréna Paravel Crowned at CPH:DOX as Industry Reflects on AI Threat and Learns From Cousins in Journalism
This year's Conference and Summit programs have gathered experts to discuss how artificial intelligence is changing the idea of truth as documentarians try preparing for an increasingly unstable future More than €110,000 ($127,000) total in awards were handed out in Copenhagen this evening as anothe
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Beijing International Film Festival Opens Doors to African Filmmakers — AIGC Deadline 30 March
A sharp increase in fuel prices has triggered a wave of transport fare hikes across Zimbabwe, placin... In an industry often associated with heavy machinery, underground operations, and historically male ... The recent escalation of conflict in Iran has contributed to a modest increase in fuel price
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Indian film board blocks release of Oscar-nominated Gaza drama The Voice of Hind Rajab
Banned … Motaz Malhees (right) in The Voice of Hind Rajab.
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'Allah n'est pas obligé': Animated Adaptation
Animated adaptation of Ahmadou Kourouma's award-winning Ivorian novel 'Allah n'est pas obligé' about child soldiers in West Africa enters development.
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Exclusive Trailer: 'Taxi Moto' by Gaël Kamilindi
Watch the exclusive trailer for 'Taxi Moto' by Gaël Kamilindi, screening in the 2026 Berlinale Shorts Competition.
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Trailer Debut: 'Soumsoum, la nuit des astres' — Mauritania
The trailer for Mahamat-Saleh Haroun's "Soumsoum, la nuit des astres" has been released.
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Sudanese Feature 'Blue Card' Moves Forward With International Production
Sudanese feature 'Blue Card' moves forward with international sales as visa denials shape its Berlinale path.
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Trailer: "God's Work" Heads to the 8th Joburg Film Festival
Directed by Michael James, "God's Work" takes place inside an abandoned inner-city building in Johannesburg where a group of homeless men live together.
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Trailer: "Paradise" dir. Jérémy Comte, Berlinale 2026
One story about absence, inheritance, and the fragile ties between fathers and sons.
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LIV Golf South Africa 2026: Where to Watch the Golf Tournament Live Online
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
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Young Kenyan Filmmakers Turn to Alternative Screening Spaces as Distribution Options Remain Limited
With distribution still limited, Kenyan filmmakers are turning to alternative screening spaces like Mini Movie Marathon, Film Sunset, Kulture Klub, and Kuza Film Club to build audiences and film culture from the ground up.
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Michaela Coel Teams With A24 to Reimagine Martial Arts Classic 'Bloodsport'
British-Ghanaian writer-director Michaela Coel is partnering with A24 to write and direct a reimagining of the 1988 Jean-Claude Van Damme martial arts classic 'Bloodsport'.
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South African Parliament Launches Investigation Into Canal+ Over Showmax Shutdown and MultiChoice Deal
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications has summoned Canal+ to address concerns about the Showmax shutdown, frozen commissions, and compliance with public interest commitments made during the MultiChoice acquisition.
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Sam Tewungwa Named CEO of UKTV, Effective April 1
UKTV has appointed Sam Tewungwa — who joined BBC Studios in 2013 and played a pivotal role in the UKTV acquisition — as its next CEO, signalling continued African leadership in global media.
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Hubert Bals Fund Backs Eight Projects Including Nigerian and Ethiopian Films
The Hubert Bals Fund at IFFR Rotterdam has selected eight feature film projects for its 2026 HBF+Europe support scheme, including Nigerian drama 'Dear Ajayi' and Ethiopian film 'The Last Tears Of The Deceased'.
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Nigerian Film 'My Father's Shadow' Wins Grand Prix at Luxembourg City Film Festival
We and our partners process data for the following purposes:Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development, Precise geolocation data, and identification through device scanning, Storage and access to geolocation information for t
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The Microdrama Boom: A New Revenue Stream for African Storytellers
[HOME](https://www.dropmedia.co.uk/) [NEWS & FEATURES](https://www.dropmedia.co.uk/news-features/) [ABOUT US](https://www.dropmedia.co.uk/about-us/) [CONTACT US](https://www.dropmedia.co.uk/contact-us/) Microtone, a new discovery and community platform focused on microdrama, has launched
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Berlin Premiere 'Heysel 85' Sells to Multiple Territories Including UK-Ireland
**EXCLUSIVE:** Icon Film Distribution has taken UK and Ireland rights to Teodora Ana Mihai’s *Heysel 85 *from French outfit Salaud Morisset. The film is a political thriller telling the inside story of the Heysel Stadium disaster, which led to the deaths of 39 football supporters at the 1985 Europea
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FAME Week Africa Returns to Cape Town: 28 October – 1 November 2026
FAME Week Africa is the go-to event for African creatives, providing them with a platform to bring their ingrained talent, their stories, their culture to the forefront. Exactly how will this be achieved? FAME Week Africa brings together co-related events focusing on the major creative economies, na
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SlateOne converts scripts into structured production intelligence and replaces fragmented workflows with a unified operating layer. I can't believe I have to type this all out again. I can't believe I have to type this all out again. I can't believe I have to type this all out again. I can't believe
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THE TREK Wins Jury Award at Fantasporto — Porto International Film Festival
South African horror-western THE TREK, the feature debut of Meekaaeel Adam SASC, has won the Jury Award at Fantasporto in Portugal. The film follows a Dutch-Afrikaans family on a perilous journey across the Kalahari desert in the 19th century.
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AI Filmmaking Crosses the Line: From Experiment to Commercial Infrastructure
Generative AI at the Consumer Electronics Show didn’t arrive as a flashy tech demo or speculative promise. Instead, it showed up proving a point. A working production tool in the form of Kling AI, and evidence that it can actually deliver films. Two recent projects powered by Kling AI, “A Very AI Yu
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Camera Tech in 2026: ARRI, RED & Blackmagic Are Reshaping What African Filmmakers Can Achieve
From the ARRI ALEXA 35 remaining the gold standard to RED V-RAPTOR earning Netflix approval and Blackmagic's PYXIS 12K recall-upgrade — the democratisation of high-end imaging is narrowing quality gaps and raising the bar for productions at every budget level.
ReadYoung Kenyan Filmmakers and Cinephiles Turn to Alternative Screening Spaces as Distribution Challenges Mount
Ombogo is among four African screenwriters showcasing their original television projects to international industry leaders at the Forum in France.
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Cotton Queen Wins Grand Prize at Geneva Human Rights Film Festival
Suzannah Mirghani's impressive debut, following a Sudanese girl assessing her future on a plantation, took the top fiction prize at the 24th FIFDH in Geneva. The festival examined the global rise of authoritarianism and cinema's role as a driver of social impact.
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Durban Director Zamo Mkhwanazi Makes Splash With Apartheid-Era Debut "Laundry"
15/09/2025 - Durban-born director Zamo Mkhwanazi makes a splash with her debut feature, a historical coming-of-age tale set in 1960s Apartheid-era Johannesburg Set in 1968 Johannesburg during the heart of South African Apartheid, Laundry showcases Durban-born filmmaker Zamo Mkhwanazi’s flair for sty
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Hong Kong Filmart Turns 30: Building Bridges and Embracing AI
**Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (Filmart) kicks off this year with a double anniversary celebration at the opening ceremony, commemorating 30 years of the market as an international hub for the global entertainment industry and 50 years of Hong Kong International Film Festival as a cham
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BFI Selects 12 Producers for First Feature Lab
**EXCLUSIVE:** Yemi Adegbulu and Sorcha Bacon are among 12 UK producers with 10 projects selected for the inaugural The First Feature – Producer Lab. The BFI-backed lab will run for three months from March to June 2026, and is aimed at developing the producing skills of its participants, and taking
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Oscars 2026: Sinners Wins 4 Awards as Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan Make History
Ryan Coogler's vampire horror 'Sinners' — a film deeply rooted in Black Southern storytelling — won 4 Oscars including Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan and Best Original Screenplay. Wunmi Mosaku (Nigerian-British) earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination. Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history as the first woman to win Best Cinematography.
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Oscars 2026: Full Winners List — One Battle After Another Leads with 6 Awards
Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another' won Best Picture, Best Director, and 4 more at the 98th Academy Awards. Sinners won 4 including Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan). First woman wins Best Cinematography. Full list of all 24 category winners.
ReadZenande Mfenyana Wins First Golden Horn at SAFTAs 2026 for 'Inimba'
Zenande Mfenyana won Best Supporting Actress in a Telenovela for 'Inimba' at the 19th South African Film and Television Awards. Image: Instagram/ Gauteng Film Commission Actress [Zenande Mfenyana](https://iol.co.za/saturday-star/news/2026-02-17-zenande-mfenyana-nominated-for-safta-best-supporting-a
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Trevor Noah, Thuso Mbedu & Mohamed Kordofani Projects Among Next Narrative Africa Fund Selections
Ombogo is among four African screenwriters showcasing their original television projects to international industry leaders at the Forum in France.
ReadNNAF First Slate Analysis: What 'Africa' Really Meant When 2,000 Projects Applied
African Film Press breaks down the Next Narrative Africa Fund's inaugural slate — nine projects from 2,000+ submissions across 80 countries. What the selections reveal about where international capital sees Africa's screen future.
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Africa's AI Film Ground Zero: NAIFF Launches in Lagos
The Naija AI Film Festival — Africa's first AI film festival — received 490 submissions and featured a global showcase at Alliance Française Lagos, signalling a new chapter for the continent's creative economy.
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Oscars Rule AI Films Eligible — Same Treatment as Traditional Films
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially clarified that films using AI tools will be treated the same as traditional films for Oscar eligibility.
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Tunisian Filmmaker Wins $1 Million AI Film Award in Dubai
# Tunisian filmmaker wins $1 million AI Film Award  The $1 million AI Film Award was given to Tunisian filmmaker Zoubeir Jlassi for
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Makemation: Nigeria's First AI Feature Film Grosses ₦32M in 4 Days
Makemation, a Nigerian-produced film about dreams, technology, and determination, made an impressive debut at the local box office, grossing N32.9 million in its first run time at cinemas. According to data reports seen by Nairametrics, the film earned N21.5 million between Friday and Sunday and ros
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AFAC Documentary Fund Deadline: 2 April 2026
** The Documentary Film program supports creative documentary films in the Arab region. The program welcomes submissions by Arab directors of feature-length documentary film projects that are in development, production or post-production phases, as well as short and medium-length documentaries in p
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Next Narrative Africa Fund Unveils $50M First Slate
Khadija Alami is an award-winning Moroccan Producer of feature films, documentaries, and short films, and owner of K Films.
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Pro Tip: The Three Markets Documentary Strategy
Target CPH:FORUM (March), Sheffield MeetMarket (June), and IDFA Forum Pitch (November) — same buyers, three chances per year.
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Showmax Shutdown: What It Means for African Creators
Canal+ confirms discontinuation of Africa's largest homegrown streaming platform. Independent financing is now more important than ever.
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The Showmax Shutdown: Confusion, Reaction, Clarification
Showmax subscribers received an unexpected email confirming the service will shut down "in the near future." Across the continent, the reaction from industry professionals and consumers has been confusion, frustration, and a creeping sense that the closure is part of a larger structural breakdown. A
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Nollywood In Hollywood 2026: Official Films Unveiled for 7th Annual Showcase
Nollywood In Hollywood has announced the official selection of three films for the seventh edition of its annual Nigerian film showcase at the historic Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.
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South Africa’s Both Worlds and Atlanta-Based Freeli Films Launch First Africa–U.S. Micro-Drama Co-Production Partnership
'The King, The Affair and the Heir Son.
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Canal+ Moves to Shut Down Showmax After Years of Losses
Canal+ and MultiChoice have confirmed that Showmax will be discontinued. Subscribers received notice on March 5 that the service will shut down "in the near future." Akoroko examines the legal, financial, and strategic implications — including the NBCUniversal joint venture unwind, content licensing
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Ghana's Akwaaba Magic Celebrates 5th Anniversary
Akwaaba Magic, the Ghanaian entertainment channel operated by MultiChoice Ghana, celebrated its 5th anniversary on March 3, 2026, at the company's head office in Accra.
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For Once, the Oscars Are Unpredictable
by Tyler Coates in Columns on Mar 3, 2026 Actor Awards, Hamnet, Michael B Jordan, One Battle After Another, Oscars, Sinners As we come to the end of a long awards season—the Oscars are, miraculously, less than two weeks away, and final voting closes this Thursday—it’s remarkable t
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Joburg Film Festival 2026: Opening Day Overview — Programme, Industry Platform, and Context
Eight years in, the Joburg Film Festival has developed a curation that few events on the continent match — a blend of international and African films tethered to a serious industry programme, hosted in the commercial and creative heart of South Africa's screen sector.
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Trailer: "Eagles of the Republic" Lands in U.S. Cinemas April 17 via Cohen Media Group
Trailer debut for "Eagles of the Republic," directed by Tarik Saleh. The political thriller lands in U.S. cinemas on April 17, 2026, via Cohen Media Group.
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Janus Films Acquires U.S. Rights to "Dao" Following Berlinale Competition Premiere
Janus Films has acquired U.S. distribution rights to "Dao," directed by Alain Gomis, following its premiere in Competition at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival.
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If the Berlin film festival ousts its director, there may be no way back
Hosting an audience-friendly festival in a highly political capital city has always been a challenge.
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Lagos Joins Cannes 2026 "Goes to Cannes" Program via AFRIFF
The Marché du Film confirmed Lagos as a partner city for "Goes to Cannes" 2026, with AFRIFF representing the city at the prestigious festival market.
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FESPACO 2027 Sets 30th Edition Calendar as Market Reform Moves to the Fore
On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the Agence burkinabé de la cinématographie et de l'audiovisuel (ABCA) convened a press conference to launch the 30th edition of FESPACO. The next installment will take place from February 27 to March 6, 2027.
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Scandalous Forms, Political Candor: Highlights from Berlinale’s 2026 Forum Documentaries
by Sonya Vseliubska in Festivals & Events on Feb 24, 2026 Abdallah Al-Khatib, Beaucoup Parle, Berlinale 2026, Chronicles From the Siege, Crocodile, If Pigeons Turned to Gold, Kristina Mikhailova, Marie Wilke, Pascale Bodet, Pepa Lubojacki, pietra brettkelly, River Dreams, Scenario Before the Berlina
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Batwing Unmasked Documentary Premieres at Joburg Film Festival
Directed by Thomas Letellier for Warner Bros.
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Canal+ Drops First Trailer for "A Prophet"
Canal+ releases the first trailer for "A Prophet," an eight-episode series adapted from Jacques Audiard's 2009 Oscar-nominated film, premiering March 2.
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Wunmi Mosaku Wins Best Actress in a Supporting Role for "Sinners" at the 2026 BAFTAs
Wunmi Mosaku wins Best Actress in a Supporting Role for "Sinners" at the 79th British Academy Film Awards, adding to her first Academy Award nomination.
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"My Father's Shadow" Wins Outstanding British Debut at the 2026 BAFTAs
's feature debut wins Outstanding British Debut at the 79th British Academy Film Awards, following its Cannes premiere and multiple festival awards.
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Haroun and Kamilindi Among Winners at Berlinale 2026 Independent Jury Awards
African filmmakers and artists were recognized across the FIPRESCI Competition, TEDDY Awards, and Berlinale Talents Mastercard Enablement Programme.
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One Year After His Passing, Souleymane Cissé's Legacy Endures
One year after his passing, Souleymane Cissé's legacy endures — even as much of his work remains difficult to access.
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“The Underbelly of Lagos”: Olive Nwosu on Lady
by Ritesh Mehta in Directors, Festivals & Events, Interviews on Feb 18, 2026 Berlinale 2026, Lady, Olive Nwosu Lady, the titular lead of Olive Nwosu’s neo-noir feature debut about a taxi driver’s gradual solidarity with a group of Lagosian sex workers, possesses a piercing gaze. She’s not scanning y
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Leyla Bouzid's "In a Whisper" Secures U.S. Deal With Strand Releasing
California-based Strand Releasing acquired Tunisian filmmaker Leyla Bouzid's latest following its world premiere in Competition at Berlinale.
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First-Look Clip: "Tutu" Documentary Premiering at Berlinale
Sam Pollard's documentary follows South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, drawing on more than two decades of previously unseen archival footage.
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SAFTAs19: South Africa's Main Screen Awards Announces 2026 Nominees
South Africa's main screen awards announces 2026 nominees, with 'The Fix' and 'iThonga' leading the pack.
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SAFTAs 2026 Nominees: 434 Entries, Streaming vs Broadcast Battle Heats Up
Written by TVSA Team from the blog Awards on 17 Feb 2026 Favourite this post Actors in this post: Amalia Uys, Gail Mabalane, Kim Engelbrecht, Frank Opperman, Mothusi Magano, Presley Chweneyagae, Michelle Botes, Robyn Scott, Kagiso Kuypers, Lerato Mvelase, Sive Mabuya, Bonko Khoza, Hannes van Wyk,
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South Africa's Film Rebate Crisis: DTIC Delays Leave Filmmakers Millions Out of Pocket
South Africa's 25% cash rebate system is crippled by unexplained delays at the DTIC, with millions owed to local production companies. Bloomberg reports the state is effectively withholding support from an industry already under pressure.
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Black Lions — Roman Wolves: A Film by Haile Gerima, An Official Selection of Berlinale Forum 2026
The trailer for Haile Gerima's nearly ten-hour documentary 'Black Lions — Roman Wolves' has been released ahead of its Berlinale Forum premiere.
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Berlinale Camera Goes to Haile Gerima
At the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, Haile Gerima will be honoured with a Berlinale Camera for his outstanding contributions to filmmaking.
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Nile Takes UIP: Paramount and Universal Shift to Babatope
Nile Entertainment secures UIP mandate for Paramount and Universal theatrical distribution in Nigeria and Ghana, shifting from Silverbird Film Distribution effective February 27, 2026.
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First Day on Earth: Michaela Coel's HBO Series Begins Filming
Initially announced in August 2024, Michaela Coel's "First Day on Earth" has begun filming for HBO.
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DAO: Alain Gomis' New Feature Film Selected for 76th Berlinale Competition
The official trailer for DAO, Alain Gomis' new feature film, is here.
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'Yurugu - Invisible Lines' Trailer: Petna Ndaliko Katondolo and Laure Honoré's Documentary
Watch the trailer for Yurugu - Invisible Lines, a documentary by Petna Ndaliko Katondolo and Laure Honoré exploring borders, identity, and invisible divisions across Africa.
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2026 NTFA Nominees: 'Under the Hanging Tree', 'Land of the Brave', 'Speel Aan'
The 2026 Namibian Theatre and Film Awards (NTFA) nominees have been announced, featuring 'Under the Hanging Tree', '#LANDoftheBRAVEfilm', and 'Speel Aan'.
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Open Doors Connect: Locarno Film Festival's Program for Creative Producers (August 5-15, 2026)
Open Doors Connect is a selective program for creative producers focused on accessing the international market and building south-south collaborations at the Locarno Film Festival.
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They Won an Acting Ensemble Award at Sundance. (But Visa Denial Meant Watching From Home)
African film wins Sundance Acting Ensemble Award, but visa issues prevent cast attendance — highlighting persistent travel barriers for African talent.
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Videobet: Addis Ababa Welcomes New Independent Arthouse Cinema
Videobet, a new independent arthouse cinema, opens in Addis Ababa, providing a dedicated space for independent and African cinema in Ethiopia.
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NEON Nabs World Rights to Arie and Chuko Esiri's 'Clarissa' Starring Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo, Ayo Edebiri
NEON acquires world rights to 'Clari' by Nigerian directors Arie and Chuko Esiri, signalling growing US market appetite for African arthouse cinema.
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'Femmes au foyer' (Housewives): New Burkinabè TV Series Launches with State Support
'Femmes au foyer' (Housewives): new Burkinabè TV series exploring women's lives in contemporary Burkina Faso.
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IFFR Pro Awards 2026: South Africa, Sudan, Senegal Represented
IFFR Pro Awards 2026 recognise projects from South Africa, Sudan, and Senegal, highlighting African cinema's growing presence at European festivals.
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GËSTU – International Documentary Film Festival of Dakar Launches First Edition
GËSTU, Dakar's international documentary film festival, positions itself as a key platform for documentary filmmaking in Francophone West Africa.
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Malian-French Actress Eye Haïdara Leads 'Mata,' a French Spy Thriller
Malian-French actress Eye Haïdara leads 'Mata', a new French-language film, highlighting African talent's growing prominence in European cinema.
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Olasunkanmi Adebayo Talks Casting Challenges On “Lady”, Nigeria’s Sundance 2026 Project
Casting director Olasunkanmi Adebayo (Suki) discusses his role on the set of Sundance-premiering feature "Lady".
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Appeal Court Rules on Kenya Film Ban That Targeted 'Rafiki'
Kenya appeal court rules on the film ban that targeted 'Rafiki', with broader implications for creative freedom and censorship in East Africa.
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Wunmi Mosaku Earns Her First Academy Award Nomination
British-Nigerian actress Wunmi Mosaku earns her first Academy Award nomination, a milestone for African-heritage talent at the Oscars.
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Rwanda Genocide Film 'The Battle of Bisesero' Enters Production
'The Battle of Bisesero', a new film about Tutsi resistance during the 1994 Rwanda genocide, enters production.
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Fela & The Kalakuta Queens Review: Weak Writing Masked by Sex, Song, and Wonderful Stagecraft
Although plagued with a problem seen in her movies, Bolanle Austen-Peters' "Fela and the Kalakuta Queens" is saved by spectacle.
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5 Times Funke Akindele Has Beaten Hollywood at the Nigerian Box Office
Since 2020, Funke Akindele has generated more money than Disney, DC, and other Hollywood outfits in Nigerian cinemas.
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Oversabi Aunty Review: Toyin Abraham Has Made The Best Film Of Her Career
The typical Toyin Abraham flick has a number of easily identifiable features: loudness, crassness, loud crassness, incoherence, and a slapdash approach to storytelling.
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