The African Cinema Podcast

Before Mozambique’s filmmakers could tell their own stories, cinema arrived as a language of empire. In the early 1900s, projectors flickered in Lourenço Marques — today’s Maputo — showing European newsreels and colonial propaganda. For settlers, these images confirmed the order of empire; for Mozambicans, they revealed a world where they were spectators rather than storytellers. This episode expl...

Namibia’s film journey runs from colonial screens to today’s vibrant, independent voice. This week we trace more than a century of change, showing how cinema moved from outside perspectives to Indigenous storytelling and local creators shaping the industry. The future of Namibian cinema looks promising despite challenges. Emerging filmmakers are embracing new technologies and storytelling approach...

Tanzanian cinema, often called Swahiliwood or Bongowood , has a story as dramatic as the films themselves. From colonial mobile trucks showing British propaganda, to Ujamaa’s government-funded productions, to the explosive growth of Bongo movies on DVD, and today’s internationally recognized films like Vuta N’Kuvute , Tanzanian cinema reflects the country’s political shifts, cultural creativity, a...

This Week, We Took an Incredible Journey… …through over 100 years of Ugandan history — from colonial silence to grassroots creativity, from the terror of Idi Amin’s regime to Wakaliwood’s viral rise, and from the birth of “Kinna-Uganda” to Netflix premieres. It’s a story that shows how cinema can survive even after decades of suppression. The Big Picture: Cinema Out of Silence For much of the 20th...

In this episode, we trace the powerful evolution of South African cinema from the dawn of democracy in 1994 to today’s digital streaming era. From Oscar wins to streaming wars, we explore how South Africa’s film industry has transformed its stories, funding models, institutions, and reach. Through case studies like Tsotsi , District 9 , and Inxeba , we unpack the industry’s greatest challenges—and...

In this episode of The African Cinema Podcast , we explore how South African cinema evolved under the shadow of apartheid — from state-sponsored propaganda to underground resistance films. From the rise of strict censorship in the 1960s to the emergence of anti-apartheid films like Mapantsula and Sarafina! , this episode unpacks how filmmakers used the screen as a battlefield for truth, survival,...

This week's episode takes us back to the turn of the 20th century just before the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa as the bioscope was introduced to the world South Africa was not far behind. Did you know the first film was screened in Johannesburg just one year after the Lumière brothers' debut in Paris? I didn’t either — until I found out about Carl Hertz and his “bioscope” showcase in 189...

In this episode of The African Cinema Podcast , we journey through over a century of Moroccan cinema — from colonial-era propaganda to a globally recognized filmmaking industry that’s breaking taboos and pushing boundaries. We explore how Moroccan filmmakers have navigated colonial legacies, state censorship, international co-productions, and digital revolutions to shape one of Africa’s most dynam...

In this episode of The African Cinema Podcast , we journey through the remarkable evolution of Ghanaian cinema — from colonial screenings meant for British elites, to a post-independence cultural tool under Kwame Nkrumah, and eventually to a thriving independent video and digital film movement known as “Ghollywood.” We spotlight the key eras, films, and voices that have shaped the industry: from T...

From propaganda films projected in remote villages to queer love stories banned at home but celebrated abroad, Kenyan cinema has had a long, complex journey. In this special episode of The African Cinema Podcast , we trace the rise of Kenyan cinema from colonial control to digital creativity — uncovering how power, technology, censorship, and storytelling have shaped Kenya’s film industry over mor...

In the 1980s, Senegalese cinema was brought to its knees. Austerity measures gutted funding, theatres closed, and filmmakers were left with little support. And yet—the stories didn’t stop. In Part 2 of our Senegal series, we explore how cinema in Senegal endured through silence, adapted with digital tools, and re-emerged through new voices and platforms. From Sembène’s final masterpieces to Mati D...

From colonial bans to a cinematic renaissance, Part 1 of our two-part Senegal series (1934–1980) traces how filmmakers defied repression to forge Africa’s first film language. What happens when your art is forbidden—and you insist on telling your story anyway? 🎬 We examine Paulin Vieyra’s Afrique-sur-Seine (1955), shot in Paris against the 1934 Laval Decree. 📽️ We trace Ousmane Sembène’s transiti...

The final installment of our Egyptian cinema series dives into a 25-year stretch of transformation, turbulence, and tenacity. From digital disruption and revolution to censorship, economic collapse, and global streaming deals, this episode follows the rise of a new kind of filmmaker — one who builds with less, dreams bigger, and survives on grit. 🎬 Featuring: The making of The Yacoubian Building...

Egypt’s golden studio era is often remembered for its glamour, control, and orchestral soundtracks. But what happened after the lights dimmed? What became of an industry once hailed as the beating heart of Arab cinema? This episode of Projector Dreams is a story of survival. Spanning from the height of state nationalism in the 1960s to the experimental indie spirit of the 1990s, we track how Egypt...

In this second episode of our Projector Dreams series, we step into the golden age of Egyptian cinema—a transformative period that turned Cairo into the cinematic capital of the Arab world. From the founding of Studio Misr to the rise of musical epics, social realism, and feminist narratives, this era wasn’t just about movies—it was about identity, politics, and cultural power. We trace the legacy...

In this first installment of our Egyptian cinema series on The African Cinema Podcast , we trace the roots of filmmaking in Egypt—starting with the arrival of the Lumière Brothers’ projector in Alexandria in 1896. This episode dives into the rise of Egypt’s first studios, the political ferment of the 1919 revolution, and the emergence of Egyptian filmmakers who shaped cinema as a cultural and nati...

In this episode of The African Cinema Podcast, I speak with Nigerian culture writer and researcher Ikenna Churchill about the current state and future of Nigerian cinema. From the issues plaguing distribution and cinema attendance to the undervalued richness of cultural storytelling, Ikenna brings unfiltered insight and passion to every part of our conversation. We unpack the highs and lows of Nol...

In Episode 4, we dive deep into the revitalized and more cinematic era of Nigerian film—what we now call the New Nigerian Cinema Era. Our journey begins during the height of the Video Film Era in the mid-2000s with the launch of Silverbird Cinemas, which initially showcased predominantly Western films. This period marks a dramatic shift, driven by renewed investments, the return of diasporic talen...

In this episode, we explore the pivotal transition of Nigerian cinema during the late 1980s and early 1990s, focusing on how the advent of affordable video technology revolutionized filmmaking in Nigeria. This period marked the birth of Nollywood, now recognized as one of the world's most prolific film industries. Key Topics Discussed: Shift to Video Technology: The economic challenges and technol...

🎬 How did Nigeria’s film industry flourish between the 1950s and 1980s, and what led to its transformation? In this episode of The African Cinema Podcast , we dive into the Golden Age of Nigerian Cinema—a period marked by the rise of locally produced films, the boom of cinema houses, and the shift towards indigenous storytelling. Following Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the country’s film indust...

🎬 How did Nigerian cinema begin, and what shaped its early foundations? In the first episode of The African Cinema Podcast , we journey back to the origins of Nigerian cinema, exploring how colonial influences, traveling theatre troupes, and emerging local filmmakers set the stage for what would later become one of the world’s largest film industries. From the introduction of film by colonial aut...

In this episode of The African Cinema Podcast, we delve deep into the vibrant world of FESPACO, the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou. Established in 1969, FESPACO has grown into Africa's premier event for filmmakers, offering an unparalleled platform for showcasing the continent's diverse cinematic talent. Join us a we take you on a journey through the festival's rich history...

In this episode, we explore the life and work of Safi Faye, a trailblazing Senegalese filmmaker and ethnologist whose films have significantly influenced African cinema. From her early life and education to her career highlights and enduring legacy, we delve into the cultural and historical impact of Faye's work. Highlights : Safi Faye's Early Life and Education (0:02) Overview of Faye&#39...

Welcome to the African Cinema Podcast! Join us as we explore the vibrant world of African films, from reviews and interviews to industry insights and festival highlights. Dive into the stories that shape Africa's rich cinematic landscape. Subscribe now and embark on this cinematic journey with us!