News & Insights
Industry updates, deadline alerts, and strategic insights for African filmmakers.
Cannes Market Grows ‘AI For Talent Summit’ & Launches Creator Economy Meeting As It Bolsters Innovation Strand
The Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film (May 12-20) is extending its AI For Talent Summit which will mark its second year this May after a one-day inaugural edition last year.
Read article
Palm Springs ShortFest Returns in June – Film News in Brief
Apr 1, 2026 10:30am PT Palm Springs ShortFest Returns in June – Film News in Brief The Palm Springs International ShortFest will return from June 23-29 for the 32nd annual showcase of short-form cinema.
Read article
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.
Read article
James McAvoy: ‘I’ve been “that Scottish person”, reduced to a noise that comes out of my mouth’
It’s the final night of the Glasgow film festival and James McAvoy is a wee bit out of breath.
Read article
SlateOne.Studio
The Operating System for Modern Film Production. SlateOne converts scripts into structured production intelligence and replaces fragmented workflows with a unified operating layer.
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.
Read article
LISTEN: ‘Project Hail Mary’ Holds on Tight; Why ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ is Launching a Streaming App
And Michael Schneider speaks to daytime TV soap mogul Bradley Bell, the writer-producer who has launched a subscription app for diehard fans of CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful.
Read article
Writer Ed Solomon Forges Ahead With Soderbergh, McKellen & Coel On ‘The Christophers’ And Upcoming Series ‘The Spot’ – Sonoma Film Festival
Writer-producer Ed Solomon squeezed in a quick trip to the west coast over the weekend before returning to work on his upcoming drama series The Spot, a Hulu project filming in Westchester, NY.
Read article
Cannes 2026 Predictions: Hollywood Studios Are Sitting Out; Pedro Almodovar, Nicolas Winding Refn and More Auteurs to Drive the Lineup
Mar 30, 2026 12:30pm PT Cannes 2026 Predictions: Hollywood Studios Are Sitting Out; Pedro Almodovar, Nicolas Winding Refn and More Auteurs to Drive the Lineup The U.
Read article
Sundance 2026 Movies Sold So Far: Rich Spirit Gets Into ‘Hot Water’ with Ramzi Bashour’s Road Movie
Of the 90-plus films and episodic series premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in 2026, only about a dozen arrived at the festival with distribution in hand.
Read article
Q review – freedom, lies and transgressions in emotional fallout from a secretive Muslim women’s movement
Opening the Pandora’s box of her family secrets, Jude Chehab makes a complex and moving documentary debut that unfolds both as an investigation and as a kind of intergenerational therapy.
Read article
AMVCA 2026: Kenya Lands 12 Nominations in Nigeria
Julie Brenda Nyambura in 'MTV Shuga Mashariki' S1.
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
Netflix's 2026 African Content Slate: Kenya's Exclusion Amid Market Growth Data
Analysis of Netflix's 2026 African content slate reveals Kenya's exclusion despite verified market growth data showing strong digital engagement and economic projections.
Read article
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
Read article
Kalasha Awards 2026: ‘Nawi’ Leads Overall with 15 Nominations as ‘Kash Money’, ‘MTV Shuga Mashariki’ and ‘Big Girl Small Word’ Tie in TV
[AWARDS NEWS](https://www.sinemafocus.com/c/industry/awards/) ### [Kalasha Awards 2025: Delayed but Still On, KFC Confirms as it Hints at Possible Restructuring](https://www.sinemafocus.com/kalasha-awards-2025-delayed-but-still-on-kfc-confirms-as-it-hints-at-possible-restructuring/) [ 12 April 2025
Read article
Cannes Film Festival Head Thierry Frémaux on the Past and Future of Movies
by Eric Kohn in Directors, Interviews on Mar 24, 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Lumière Le Cinema.
Read article
MoMI’s First Look Festival Sets ‘Silent Friend,’ ‘Carousel,’ and Isabel Sandoval’s New Film ‘Moonglow’
The [Museum of the Moving Image](https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/museum-of-the-moving-image-mission-impossible-exhibition-1235112026/) will soon bring two weekends of adventurous new cinema to Queens and New York — this year, from April 23 – May 3 with [First Look](https://www.indiewire.
Read article
‘Was that an earthquake?’ Italy’s great psychogeographer tackles the Vesuvius-haunted Naples tourists seldom see
His films about Rome’s ringroad and the islanders and refugees of Lampedusa have won awards.
Read article
Berlinale Shifts 2027 Dates To Accommodate More Public Screenings As It Posts Record Ticket Sales
The 77th Berlin Film Festival will run from February 10 to 21 in 2027 to open on Wednesday rather than Thursday as in previous years.
Read article
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.
Read article
Kenya’s Mona Ombogo Heads to Series Mania with Romantic Thriller ‘Kanaan’
Kenyan screenwriter Mona Ombogo.
Read article
Everbright, a producer/distributor based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. is currently sourcing films for an Open Air Screening initiative launching later this year (June/July), which received funding at EFM – Berlinale this year.
[Clip](https://www.instagram.com/brightandreadylabs/reel/DWRLTRfjWZA/) ## "Nataka kukununulia vya kuchinja na vya kuchimbwa💎" ~@watendawili Have you watched part 1 of Bajaji sessions on Youtube? #BajajiSessions🛺 #Wozaagang #watendawiliindar [Clip](https://www.instagram.com/brightandreadylabs/ree
Read article
Open call for projects Media Play is launching an open call for projects in development in: * Fiction series * Documentary content
📅 Selected projects will be presented during Media Play (27–29 May) 🌍 Open to international professionals.
Read article
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.
Read article
First Look: Jennifer Gatero’s New Romantic Drama ‘Back to Us’ Set to Premiere in April
Two former lovers are forced to confront their past in this Kenyan romantic drama directed by Jennifer Gatero, premiering on 11 April at Nairobi Cinema.
Watch trailer
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.
Read article
Why We No Longer See Nollywood Stars In Adverts
The internet has upended a major revenue outlet for Nollywood celebrities.
Read article
Film Access Africa
This platform has been created out of the need for creatives to have access but also understand how to execute it, for the available resources and support.
Read article
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.
Read article
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
Read article
What’s in the ‘Hannah Montana’ 20th Anniversary Special? Surprise Guests, a New Miley Cyrus Song and More
Put on your wig and grab all the accessories you can find: The “Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special” is airing on Disney+ on March 24.
Read article
From Festivals to Streamers, Political Documentaries Are Getting Shut Out
American documentary filmmakers can get into Sundance. They can win awards. They can sell around the world. And still not find a buyer in the United States. That was the mood at this week’s [Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival](https://www.indiewire.com/t/copenhagen-international-docu
Read article
‘Project Hail Mary’ $77M+ U.S. Opening Nears Record Stratosphere For Non-Franchise Pic; Reps Amazon MGM Studios High, Best YTD, A CinemaScore – Update
SUNDAY AM writethru after Saturday 9:38 p.
Read article
Chase Infiniti, Ann Dowd Talk ‘The Testaments’ as the Show About ‘Awakening and Rebellion Amongst Younger Women in Gilead’ Opens Series Mania
The wait is over: The world premiere of “The Testaments” took place at French festival Series Mania.
Read article
CPH:DOX: ‘Whispers In May’ Takes Top Award; ‘Amazomania,’ ‘Dream Of Another Summer’ & More Earn Prizes
'Whispers in May' CPH:DOX *[Whispers in May](https://deadline.com/tag/whispers-in-may/)*, Dongnan Chen’s film exploring the rite of passage of a 14-year-old girl in rural China, won the top award at [CPH:DOX](https://deadline.com/tag/cphdox/) in Copenhagen Friday night, automatically qualifying the
Read article
SXSW 2026: The 8 Best Things We Watched in Austin, From a Semi-Suicidal Charlie Day to a Talking Fox Played by Olivia Colman
Though this year’s South by Southwest Film & TV Festival was an abbreviated, seven-day affair, filmmakers still brought Austin’s clap-happy crowds an assortment of film and TV titles full of blood, laughter and tears to complement their tacos and barbecue.
Read article
Oscar Winning ‘Mr Nobody Against Putin’ Director David Borenstein Lines Up Next Project With PBS, Reunites With Danish Team for ‘Living in Our Heads’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Borenstein will once again work with Helle Faber at Denmark's Made in Copenhagen on a project that finds inspiration in the method he employed in his now Oscar-winning doc Earlier this week, American director David Borenstein was supposed to pitch his next project at CPH:DOX’s prestigious Forum plat
Read article
‘Peaky Blinders’ Creator Explains the Movie’s Big Death and That Cillian Murphy-Barry Keoghan Showdown, Plus More Duke in the Upcoming Spinoff
SPOILER ALERT: This article contains major spoilers for “Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man,” which premiered on Netflix on March 20.
Read article
undertone, 2026’s Scariest Movie So Far, Conjures Filmmaker Ian Tuason’s Real-life Demons
by Natalia Keogan in Directors, Interviews on Mar 20, 2026 “I was never really into the occult before making this movie,” says Ian Tuason, writer-director of the new A24 horror film undertone.
Read article
Thierry Frémaux on Why ‘Today, We Can Never Trust Images We See’ — but We Can Trust the Lumière Brothers and ‘Apocalypse Now’
By Ryan LattanzioPlus iconryanRyan LattanzioExecutive Editor ryanlattanzioMore stories by Ryan Say Goodbye to Awards Season with a Rewatch of David Cronenberg's Deeply Bleak 'Maps to the Stars'Read more Where Jessie Buckley, Michael B.
Read article
Don Cheadle Joins Doc Series ‘Vs. Goliath’ As Exec Producer
EXCLUSIVE: Don Cheadle is joining the production crew of doc series Vs.
Read article
‘Pillion’ Director Harry Lighton Among Six Emerging Filmmakers Set For Cannes La Résidence Program
UK director Harry Lighton, who made waves last Cannes with debut feature Pillion, has been unveiled as one of six emerging directors selected for the 51st session of the Cannes Film Festival’s La Résidence program.
Read article
Cannes’ La Résidence Workshop Unveils Six Filmmakers for 51st Session, Including ‘Pillion’ Director Harry Lighton
“Pillion” filmmaker Harry Lighton is one the six international filmmakers selected for the 51st session of The Festival de Cannes’s La Residence, its workshop programme for emerging directors developing their first or second features.
Read article
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.
Read article
‘Time And Water’: National Geographic Reteams With Oscar Nominee Sara Dosa On “Beautiful, Painful, Existential Film” – CPH:DOX
'Time and Water' National Geographic Filmmaker [Sara Dosa](https://deadline.com/tag/sara-dosa/) is going from the molten to the melting, from fiery volcanoes to dissolving glaciers. Dosa earned an Academy Award nomination for 2022’s *[Fire of Love](https://deadline.com/video/fire-of-love-national-ge
Read article
Armenia Politics Doc ‘The Winning Generation’ Aims To Connect With Diaspora Via Simultaneous Fest & Streaming Launch Ahead Of Elections
EXCLUSIVE: Armenia politics documentary The Winning Generation will simultaneously world premiere at the Netherlands’ Movies that Matter Film Festival and launch on the White Rabbit streaming platform this weekend.
Read article
South African Crime Novelist Deon Meyer Bestsellers to Get TV Adaptations From Both Worlds, Paradoxal (EXCLUSIVE)
Meyer will executive produce both series, with "Fauda" scribe Noah Stollman attached as lead writer and showrunner of the spy thriller 'The Hunter,' both brought to market at Series Mania South Africa’s International Emmy-nominated production house Both Worlds and Paris-based Paradoxal have entered
Read article
‘Something Familiar’ Director on Teaching the Skeleton in Her Closet to Dance: ‘Catharsis and Creativity Can Alchemize Trauma’
British-Romanian filmmaker Rachel Taparjan likes to quote George Bernard Shaw when talking about her debut feature, “Something Familiar.
Read article
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
Read article
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
Read article
Quiver Acquires US & UK Rights For ‘A Love Like This’ Starring Emmanuelle Chriqui, Hayes MacArthur
EXCLUSIVE: Quiver Distribution has acquired North American and U.
Read article
‘Something Familiar’ Review: Filmmaker Rachel Taparjan Confronts Her Past in a Searching, Self-Focused Doc
This CPH: DOX Main Competition entry is a poignant but overwrought exploration of adoption.
Read article
‘Outlander’ Final Season Hits 4-Year Viewership High With Premiere
The eighth and final season of Starz‘s Outlander drew nearly three million multi-platform viewers in its premiere week, a four-year series high, with several more platforms yet to report. The time-traveling drama based on Diana Gabaldon’s best-selling books, airs its third episode March 20, wi
Read article
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.
Read article
Netflix Still Wants to Be ‘Aggressive’ with Film Acquisitions Out of Festivals
In the two years since [Dan Lin was named the film chief at Netflix](https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/netflix-names-lego-movie-producer-dan-lin-film-chief-replace-scott-stuber-1234958417/), he has greenlit 88 films — and counting — and the streamer this year is on pace to release seven m
Read article
The Killer review – John Woo’s gun-filled melodrama remains a blood-soaked classic
The director’s 1989 Hong Kong action touchstone is a wild melding of maximalist violence and surreal sentimentality – with added harmonicaJohn Woo’s 1989 thriller is a reminder of the director’s habit of hitching the craziest of mayhem to a mile-wide streak of earnest emo
Read article
'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.
Read article
Exclusive Trailer: 'Taxi Moto' by Gaël Kamilindi
Watch the exclusive trailer for 'Taxi Moto' by Gaël Kamilindi, screening in the 2026 Berlinale Shorts Competition.
Watch trailer
Trailer Debut: 'Soumsoum, la nuit des astres' — Mauritania
The trailer for Mahamat-Saleh Haroun's "Soumsoum, la nuit des astres" has been released.
Watch trailer
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.
Read article
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.
Watch trailer
Trailer: "Paradise" dir. Jérémy Comte, Berlinale 2026
One story about absence, inheritance, and the fragile ties between fathers and sons.
Watch trailer
Documentary Romance: ‘Birds Of War’ Director Janay Boulos On Love Story That Unfolds Against Backdrop Of Bloody Conflict – CPH:DOX
Like a flower that somehow emerges through concrete, love can blossom even in a space of unfathomable violence.
Read article
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.
Read articleThe Lighting Revolution Hiding in Plain Sight
By Roy Wanguhu | Director of Photography | Filmmaker Wireless control, extreme color accuracy, and a bulb that changes everything about practical lighting. Here's what the 2026 lighting landscape actually means for your work. BSC Expo 2026 produced a lot of news. New cameras, new lenses, firmware up
Read articleBeyond the Digital Divide: Why Ben Affleck's $600M Bet on 'Visual Logic' is a Code Red for Africa Film Policy
The news of Netflix acquiring Ben Affleck’s InterPositive—a company dedicated to creator-led AI—is a watershed moment for the global film industry. But for those of us in the African audiovisual sector, this isn't just a Hollywood business update; it is a urgent signal that the "how" of filmmaking i
Read article
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.
Read article
SXSW 2026 Winners List: ‘Wishful Thinking’ Starring Lewis Pullman & Maya Hawke Takes Narrative Feature Prize
South by Southwest today announced its Film & TV Festival Jury and Special Award winners.
Read article
Horror, Fantasy, Drama Top Taiwan Pavilion’s Films and Series Highlights at FilMart as It Makes Play for International Partners and Audiences
Taiwan is mounting a significant presence at Hong Kong FilMart, where the Taiwan Pavilion is hosting 106 companies showcasing 243 titles spanning film, television and cross-platform projects, underscoring the territory’s expanding ambitions in international co-production and global distribution.
Read article
Netflix Execs Say They Don’t Ask Filmmakers To Restate The Plot For People On Their Phones: “There Is No Such Principle”
Netflix execs are pretty adamant that they don’t ask their creators to dumb down the plot of a film or series for inattentive viewers.
Read article
Hunky Jesus review – a hot, oiled-torso Easter from San Francisco’s Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
BFI Flare festival, LondonCavorting around the cross and sexualising the saviour, a group of queer drag nuns, performance artists and activists satirise the religious festival in Jennifer M Kroot’s documentaryJennifer M Kroot’s film Hunky Jesus, narrated by George Takei, is the opening event of this
Read article
Showmax Confirms End of Operations in April 2026 as Content Moves to DStv Stream
Showmax has today confirmed key dates marking the end of the streaming service that has operated across 44 markets in Sub-Saharan Africa for the past 11 years.
Read article
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'.
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
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'.
Read article
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
Read article
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
Read article
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
Read article
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
Read article
We launched SLATEONE.STUDIO!
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
Read article
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.
Read article
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
Read article
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.
Read articleYoung 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.
Read article
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.
Read article
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
Read article
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
Read article
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
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
‘Orwell went off to fight. I thought I’d have to do the same’: Raoul Peck on his intimate connection with the writer
The Haitian director was given unprecedented access to George Orwell’s archives – and found a fellow crusader for truth.
Read articleZenande 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
Read article
SAFTAs 2026: Full Winners List — Tshedza Pictures Dominates with 7 Awards
The wins included multiple wins for the critically acclaimed series iThonga, which secured awards for Best Actor in a Telenovela and Best Actress in a Telenovela. Gqeberha: The Empire won the Best Supporting Actor in a Telenovela. Other productions include Youngins winning Best Telenovela, Best Achi
Read article
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.
Read article
NNAF 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.
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
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
Read article
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
Read article
“Billy Could Have Been My Own Brother”: Rachel Mason on Her SXSW Doc My Brother’s Killer
by Ritesh Mehta in Directors, Festivals & Events, Interviews, SXSW on Mar 13, 2026 My Brother's Killer, Rachel Mason, SXSW 2026 Rachel Mason’s gripping true crime doc My Brother’s Killer is, first and foremost, a love letter.
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
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
Read article
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.
Read article
A Guide to SXSW 2026, From Penis Enlargements to Pagan Mall Employees
by Natalia Keogan in Festivals & Events, SXSW on Mar 12, 2026 Adam's Apple, DreamQuil, Forbidden Fruits, Hokum, I Love Boosters, Manhood, Mile End Kicks, Over Your Dead Body, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, SXSW 2026, The Comeback, The Sun Never Sets, Their Town, We Are The Shaggs Filmmaker is heading
Read article
Thuita Mwangi, the Kid from Eastlands Who Took Theatre to the Streets of Nairobi: “Like Every True Artist, I Love Experimenting”
On 16 November 2025, on a memorably sunny yet cold Sunday morning, I scuttled through the empty, uncharacteristically quiet streets of Nairobi on my way to the Kenya National Theatre (KNT).
Read article
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
Read article
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.
Read article
ESG, Ross McElwee, and Other Exciting Artists Take Over True/False 2026
by Natalia Keogan in Festivals & Events on Mar 5, 2026 How to Clean a House in Ten Easy Steps, Phenomena, Pinball, remake, Ross McElwee, True/False 2026, Who Moves America, Yance Ford The Columbia, Missouri-based True/False Film Festival kicks off its 23rd edition, one that boasts a particularly exc
Read article
“A Trippy, Psychedelic Musical Odyssey”: Josef Gatti on Phenomena
by Natalia Keogan in Directors, Festivals & Events, Interviews on Mar 5, 2026 Josef Gatti, Phenomena, True/False 2026 “I found a way to look into the universe,” says non-fiction Australian filmmaker Josef Gatti in his feature debut Phenomena.
Read article
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
Read article
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.
Read article
How The Secret Agent Became Brazil’s Reluctant Political Rorschach Test
by Eric Kohn in Directors, Interviews on Mar 4, 2026 Kleber Mendonca Filho, Oscars, The Secret Agent Thursday, March 5 marks the voting deadline for Oscar voters.
Read article
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
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Watch trailer
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.
Read article
Lani Aisida: Are New YouTube Clips Diluting The Magic of “Dragons’ Den”?
A Nigerian TV professional interrogates online clips of the popular UK show
Read article
“I’m a Reactor”: Stellan Skarsgård, Back To One, Episode 382
by Peter Rinaldi in Actors, Columns, Interviews on Feb 26, 2026 Actors, Back to One, Podcast, Sentimental Value, stellan skarsgard Stellan Skarsgård is a celebrated Swedish actor whose career spans more than five decades across European and Hollywood cinema.
Read article
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.
Read article
“I Wanted the Film to Have the Vignetted Existence of a Fable”: Sarmad Sultan Khoosat on his Genre-bending Berlinale Premiere Lali
by Ritesh Mehta in Directors, Festivals & Events, Interviews on Feb 25, 2026 Berlinale 2026, Lali, Sarmad Sultan Khoosat A bullet grazes the shin of matriarch Sohni Ammi (Farazeh Syed) at her beloved son’s wedding.
Read article
Everybody to Kenmure Street review – community triumphs in inspiring retelling of 2021 Glasgow protest
Emma Thompson voices the anonymous ‘Van Man’ in a documentary about local people standing their ground against heavy-handed immigration enforcementThe extraordinary story of Glasgow’s Kenmure Street uprising in 2021 is retold in this absorbing documentary from film-maker Felipe Bustos Sierra. Kenmur
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
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
Read article
Batwing Unmasked Documentary Premieres at Joburg Film Festival
Directed by Thomas Letellier for Warner Bros.
Read article
The Passion of Amir Naderi
by Nick Kouhi in Directors, Interviews on Feb 23, 2026 Amir Naderi, Bahram Beyzaie, Film Forum, Manhattan by Numbers, Metrograph, The Runner Amir Naderi is on the move.
Read article
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.
Watch trailer
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.
Read article
"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.
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
Review: The New Nikon ZR Shoots RED RAW Footage on a Budget
by Caleb Hammond in Cinematography, Filmmaking on Feb 19, 2026 One year after camera giants Nikon and RED Digital Cinema merged, their first collaboration comes with the release of the Nikon ZR full-frame digital cinema camera.
Read article
“I Really Wanted to Create a Chekhovian World”: Kornél Mundruczó on the Amy Adams-starring Berlinale Competition Film At the Sea
by Ritesh Mehta in Directors, Festivals & Events, Interviews on Feb 19, 2026 Amy Adams, At the Sea, Berlinale 2026, Kornel Mundruczo Drumroll: Amy Adams stares at you.
Read article
“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
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
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,
Read article
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.
Watch trailer
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
DAO: Alain Gomis' New Feature Film Selected for 76th Berlinale Competition
The official trailer for DAO, Alain Gomis' new feature film, is here.
Watch trailer
'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.
Watch trailer
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'.
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
'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.
Read article
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.
Read article
Production Underway in Ethiopia on 'Mehal Sefari,' a 1970s-Set Thriller from Toronto-based Gobez Media
[All Articles](https://africanfilmpress.com/articles)Film # Production Underway in Ethiopia on 'Mehal Sefari,' a 1970s-Set Thriller from Toronto-based Gobez Media Directed by Abraham Gezahagne and produced by Tamara Mariam Dawit, the film follows an ambulance driver during a period of mass killings
Read article
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.
Read article
FIFF 2026: International Women's Film Festival Opens in Cotonou, Benin
[All Articles](https://africanfilmpress.com/articles)Film # FIFF 2026: International Women's Film Festival Opens in Cotonou, Benin The 4th edition of the International Women's Film Festival opened on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in Cotonou, Benin, with the theme 'Women, Free Your Creativity.' AAkoroko
Read article
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.
Read article
'Black Burns Fast' Trailer: Sandulela Asanda's Debut Selected for Berlinale Generation 14plus
[All Articles](https://africanfilmpress.com/articles)Film # 'Black Burns Fast' Trailer: Sandulela Asanda's Debut Selected for Berlinale Generation 14plus Set in a South African boarding school, the film follows Luthando, a scholarship student whose friendships and sense of self shift after the arriv
Watch trailer
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.
Read article
'Meu Semba' Teaser: Hugo Salvaterra's Luanda Symphony Premieres in IFFR Tiger Competition
[All Articles](https://africanfilmpress.com/articles)Film # 'Meu Semba' Teaser: Hugo Salvaterra's Luanda Symphony Premieres in IFFR Tiger Competition A rap-fueled, gritty and vibrant city symphony of Luanda, Angola, blending documentary and manifesto as it follows X and his siblings toward the dream
Watch trailer
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.
Read article
An African Monarchy in Brazilian Exile: TV Globo's New 1920s-set Drama
[All Articles](https://africanfilmpress.com/articles)Television # An African Monarchy in Brazilian Exile: TV Globo's New 1920s-set Drama 'A Nobreza do Amor' is a new Brazilian telenovela produced by TV Globo, premiering on March 16, 2026, with broadcast on Globo África in Lusophone African markets.
Read article
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".
Read article
South Africa's Film and TV Workforce Takes to the Streets
[All Articles](https://africanfilmpress.com/articles)Film, Television, Digital Media # South Africa's Film and TV Workforce Takes to the Streets Film and television workers across South Africa will stage coordinated demonstrations in Cape Town and Pretoria, targeting the Department of Trade, Industr
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
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.
Read article
Dead Man’s Wire review – Gus Van Sant calls the shots with surreal true-crime thriller
Al Pacino, Colman Domingo and Myha’la excel in this gripping take on the events of 1977 when an Indianapolis businessman held his mortgage broker hostageWith terrific chutzpah, black-comic flair and cool, cruel unsentimentality, screenwriter Austin Kolodney and director Gus Van Sant have made a true
Read article
Broken English review – Marianne Faithfull’s last glow, as she recounts past lives
Marianne Faithfull led different lives and was cast in various roles.
Read articleNever miss a story
Weekly deadline alerts, industry news, and insights — straight to your inbox.