From the Industry
245 articles
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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Eros Innovation Founder Kishore Lulla On Need For ‘Sovereign’ & Culturally Specific AI
It was an AI-generated video of the goddess Lakshmi that convinced Eros Innovation founder Kishore Lulla that India needed a different approach to AI.
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The Only Palestinian Filmmaker in Cannes’ Official Selection Made His Debut Without a Script — and with a Real Bedouin Family
As the still camera zooms in ever so slowly, our attention shifts from one of the film’s leads, Rim (first-time actor Rim Al Mawla), to the constant sound of a war drone in the distance.
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‘Ben’Imana’ Review: Survivors of the Rwandan Genocide Consider the Meaning of Justice in Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo’s Remarkable Debut
Cannes: The first Rwandan feature ever to play at the festival is a deeply moving drama about genocide survivors reckoning with what they can bear to forgive — in public and private.
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‘The Unknown’ Director Arthur Harari Stands By Signing Of Anti-Bolloré Letter But Says Has Full Respect For Canal Plus Teams – Cannes
French director Arthur Harari stood by his signing of an open letter sounding the alarm over tycoon Vincent Bollore’s growing influence on the French media and entertainment sectors at the press conference for his Cannes Competition film The Unknownon Tuesday.
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Konstantina Kotzamani’s Debut Feature ‘Titanic Ocean’ Weaves Greek Myth Into Mermaid School at Cannes Un Certain Regard
The film premieres May 20 and follows 17-year-old Akame, aka “Deep Sea,” as she learns to perform underwater shows, navigate love, and discover the power of her own voice.
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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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Spark
A distraction-free writing environment that forces forward momentum. Move through **8 rigid stages** — from raw spark to finished manuscript. Stop editing. Start finishing.
France’s top film producer says it will blacklist figures who petitioned against rightwing billionaire
They said that “leaving French cinema in the hands of a far-right owner” risked “not only the standardisation of films, but a fascist takeover of the collective imagination”.
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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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Rebel Wilson Branded A “Fantastical Liar” After Claiming ‘The Deb’ Actress Made Harassment Complaint
Rebel Wilson has been described as a “fantastical liar” in the closing arguments of an explosive defamation trial over The Deb, her directorial debut.
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Breaking Baz: Joan Collins Talks About Her Passion To Get ‘My Duchess’ Movie Made & Why Dancing Lessons Can Help Whirl Her Along The Red Carpet At Cannes
EXCLUSIVE: Dame Joan Collins has fire in her belly.
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‘The Echo Chamber’ Starring Alicia Vikander Boarded by Paradise City Sales, UTA Independent Film Group (EXCLUSIVE)
May 8, 2026 1:00am PT ‘The Echo Chamber’ Starring Alicia Vikander Boarded by Paradise City Sales, UTA Independent Film Group (EXCLUSIVE) The project, which also stars Luca Marinelli and Susan Sarandon, will be brought by Paradise City Sales and UTA Independent Film Group to the Cannes Film Market.
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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.
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Remarkably Bright Creatures review – Sally Field bonds with octopus in gentle Netflix charmer
Every now and then, a strange forgotten chapter of life during Covid will interrupt my thoughts.
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Guillermo del Toro: ‘When you see a UFO, it causes a crack. The mystery of the universe rushes towards you’
When Guillermo del Toro goes to the cinema, he buys three seats.
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Jon Stewart and Seth Rogen Slam Kanye West for Attempted Comeback: ‘F— That Guy’
May 7, 2026 5:00pm PT Jon Stewart and Seth Rogen Slam Kanye West for Attempted Comeback: ‘F— That Guy’ Seth Rogen and Jon Stewart are letting loose on Kanye West for attempting a “comeback tour” after years of anti-semitic behavior.
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‘Alien: Earth’ Composer Jeff Russo Blew An Aztec Death Whistle For His Xenomorph Theme – Sound & Screen TV
The xenomorph from the Alienfranchise is one of the most legendary creatures in cinema history.
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‘Apex’ Reunion: Charlize Theron And Baltasar Kormákur Teaming Up On ‘Six Clean Kills’ Adaptation At Universal
Plot details have not been released for the book and are being kept under wraps for the adaptation.
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Cannes 2026 Movies Sold So Far: ‘Paper Tiger,’ ‘The Devils’ 4K Restoration, and ‘Minotaur’ Find Homes Early
Last year’s Cannes Film Festival sawNeon acquire its eventual Palme D’Or winner “It Was Just an Accident” and make splashes with “The Secret Agent” and “Sirât,” while Netflix bought “Nouvelle Vague” and “Left-Handed Girl.
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Disney+ Mexico Expands TV Azteca Deal, Including Rights to Livestream 24-Hour Reality Show ‘MasterChef 24/7’
May 7, 2026 11:35am PT Disney+ Mexico Expands TV Azteca Deal, Including Rights to Livestream 24-Hour Reality Show ‘MasterChef 24/7’ Disney+ is expanding its content offering in Mexico through a new agreement with TV Azteca.
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Golden Globes Set AI Rules: ‘AI Doesn’t Automatically Disqualify’ a Movie or Show as Long as ‘Human Creative Direction’ Is ‘Primary Throughout Production’
May 7, 2026 11:30am PT Golden Globes Set AI Rules: ‘AI Doesn’t Automatically Disqualify’ a Movie or Show as Long as ‘Human Creative Direction’ Is ‘Primary Throughout Production’ The Golden Globes has set its timeline and new guideline rules pertaining to the use of AI.
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Controversial AI Platform Twinnin Launches First Funding Round & Targets Upwards Of $3M
EXCLUSIVE:Controversial AI platform Twinnin, which “bridges the gap between artificial intelligence and humans,” is targeting at least $3M via its first seed funding round, leading to a $25M post-money valuation.
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Adil Hussain, Neha Dhupia’s Lionel Messi Fan Drama ’52 Blue’ to Open London Indian Film Festival (EXCLUSIVE)
Directed by Ali El Arabi (“Captains of Zaatari”), the film will also screen at Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham on July 10.
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Mokster Films & Lester Hsi’s D-Day Pictures Team On Taiwanese Horror Film ‘Revive’
Singapore-based Mokster Films and Lester Hsi’s Taiwan-based D-Day Pictures are jointly producing Taiwanese horror film Revive, a project exploring the intersection between grief, technology and the unknown.
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Matthew Lillard Joins ‘Superman’ Sequel ‘Man of Tomorrow’
May 6, 2026 11:41am PT Matthew Lillard Joins ‘Superman’ Sequel ‘Man of Tomorrow’ Matthew Lillard has joined the sprawling cast of “Superman: Man of Tomorrow,” the sequel to 2025’s blockbuster “Superman.
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More Than Half of Gen Z Users Cancel and Renew Streaming Services for a Single Title, Won’t Purchase Full-Price Video Games, New Study Finds
According to the newly released “Generations In Play: 2026 Audience Insights Report,” which was published by Dentsu and IGN Entertainment, 59% of Gen Z users surveyed actively.
ReadSouth 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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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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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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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: 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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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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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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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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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+ 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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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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The Nights Still Smell of Gunpowder review – excavating the memories of civil war in Mozambique
Lasting from 1977 to 1992, the Mozambique civil war left deep scars on the psyche of the whole nation.
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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.
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Cannes 2026 Poster Goes Retro With ‘Thelma & Louise’
Before you drive off a cliff in anticipation of the official 2026 Cannes Film Festival poster, have a look above and below.
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‘Baby Reindeer’s Nava Mau Partners With Level Ground To Launch Fellowship For Underrepresented Filmmakers
17 fellows were selected through nomination by a panel of advisors to participate in the inaugural film fellowship.
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Why are respected film-makers suddenly embracing AI?
In Steven Soderbergh’s beguiling new movie The Christophers, a reclusive artist (Ian McKellen) tangles with the quiet art forger (Michaela Coel) who his greedy children have hired to secretly finish further entries in a well-known painting series.
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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.
ReadIndustry Voices to Track — Post-Showmax Fallout Signals (Week of 21 Apr 2026)
The collaboration will cover co-production, distribution of premium titles, and the implementation of key initiatives designed to strengthen Africa’s creative economy, with a strong focus on empowering women and youth.
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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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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.
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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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.
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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.
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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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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The Kalashas and Kenya’s Awards Problem the Industry Can No Longer Ignore
Kenya’s creative awards system has a problem.
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Let’s Play: Genki Kawamura and Jirô Nagae on a New Kind of Video Game Cinema
Best known for producing major titles such as Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Monster and Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name, Kawamura made his directorial debut in 2022 with A Hundred Flowers, a muted and focused dementia drama.
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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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‘Beef’s Carey Mulligan & Oscar Isaac On How Their Season 2 Fight Scene Came Together: “A Big Old Puzzle”
With Beef back for another dramatic feud on Netflix, audiences are in for a whole new onscreen brawl.
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How To Watch The Cannes Film Festival Lineup Announcement Live
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival is set to be announced tomorrow morning at a press conference featuring Festival Director Thierry Frémaux.
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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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CAA Signs Filmmaker, Actress & Writer Greta Gerwig As She Follows ‘Barbie’ With ‘Narnia’
EXCLUSIVE: CAA has signed Greta Gerwig, the actress-turned-blockbuster filmmaker who will follow Barbiewith Narnia.
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Doc Talk Podcast From The Danish Capital With CPH:DOX Artistic Chief Niklas Engstrøm & Directors Of ‘Queens Ballroom’
CPH:DOX has become one of the world’s most important documentary film festivals, and it’s only becoming more influential each year.
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Tara Reid Pic ‘Dr. Q’, About Mental Health Crisis, Books Distribution
EXCLUSIVE: Psychological thriller Dr.
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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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Indian Film Festival of L.A. Reveals Industry Days Lineup, With Netflix, HBO, Universal Among Participating Companies (EXCLUSIVE)
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles has unveiled the full program for its third annual Industry Days forum, with Netflix, HBO, Universal, NBC, Sundance Institute and others joining the two-day event connecting South Asian film and TV creatives with Hollywood executives.
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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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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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‘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.
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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.
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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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Kenya’s Mona Ombogo Heads to Series Mania with Romantic Thriller ‘Kanaan’
[](https://www.sinemafocus.com/kito-citizen-tv-football-drama-series-tosh-gitonga/) [TV NEWS](https://www.sinemafocus.com/c/news/tv-
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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
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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.
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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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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.
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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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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.
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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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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.
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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
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‘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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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‘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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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‘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.
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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.
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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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‘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
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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.
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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
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‘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.
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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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Quiver Acquires US & UK Rights For ‘A Love Like This’ Starring Emmanuelle Chriqui, Hayes MacArthur
EXCLUSIVE: Quiver Distribution has acquired North American and U.
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‘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.
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‘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
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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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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
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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
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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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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.
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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.
ReadThe 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
ReadBeyond 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
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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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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
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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.
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‘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.
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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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
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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.
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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.
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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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“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.
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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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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
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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).
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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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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
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“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.
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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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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.
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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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Lani Aisida: Are New YouTube Clips Diluting The Magic of “Dragons’ Den”?
A Nigerian TV professional interrogates online clips of the popular UK show
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“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.
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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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“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.
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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
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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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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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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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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.
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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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"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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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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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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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.
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“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.
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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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'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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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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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
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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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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
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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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'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
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'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
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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.
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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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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
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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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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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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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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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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
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Broken English review – Marianne Faithfull’s last glow, as she recounts past lives
Marianne Faithfull led different lives and was cast in various roles.
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