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 approaches. There’s growing interest in preserving Indigenous stories and pursuing international co-productions.

The Namibia Film Commission continues supporting local talent through grants and training programs, while the Windhoek Film Festival cements Namibia as a regional hub. As commercial viability remains a hurdle,increasing production quality and regional links point to a positive path forward.

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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, and resilience.

In this episode, we explore:

• 📽️ How colonial powers used film for propaganda while Tanzanians had little chance to tell their own stories.

• 🌍 Julius Nyerere’s Ujamaa socialism and how the Tanzania Film Corporation shaped cinema as a nation-building tool.

• 💿 The rise of video technology and the Bongo movie explosion in the 2000s, with stars like Steven Kanumba and Elizabeth Michael.

• 🏆 Tanzania’s path to the Oscars with Maangamizi: The Ancient One and Vuta N’Kuvute.

• 🎥 The future of Swahili cinema in the age of Netflix, YouTube, and ZIFF (Zanzibar International Film Festival).

✨ Tanzanian cinema is more than entertainment — it’s a mirror of social change, economic struggle, and creative persistence.

🔔 Don’t forget to follow The African Cinema Podcast to stay updated as we continue our journey through the continent’s cinematic history.

Subscribe to receive episode notifications, exclusive content, and in-depth analysis of global cinema movements.

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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 century, Uganda had no cinema of its own. Colonial films portrayed Africans as subjects, not storytellers. When independence came in 1962, many thought a new cultural wave would follow. Instead, dictatorship and war silenced filmmakers for decades.

But when conditions allowed, Uganda’s storytellers returned with incredible energy.

The Early Spark: Kinna-Uganda (2005–2010)

The breakthrough came in 2005 with Hajji Ashraf Ssemwogerere’s Feelings Struggle, the first film made by Ugandans for Ugandans. Others soon followed — Cindy Magara’s Fate, Donald Mugisha’s Divizionz, and Matt Bish’s Battle of the Souls. These films spoke in local languages and told stories that reflected ordinary Ugandan life.

The Global Phenomenon: Wakaliwood (2010–2015)

Then came Isaac Nabwana IGG and his team from a Kampala slum. With just $85, they made Who Killed Captain Alex?, a wild action film that went viral on YouTube. Wakaliwood’s DIY style, “video joker” commentary, and sheer creativity earned worldwide fame, showing the world Uganda could make unforgettable cinema with almost nothing.

Modern Success: From Festivals to Netflix (2015–Present)

Recent years have seen Uganda enter the global mainstream. Loukman Ali’s The Girl in the Yellow Jumper became Uganda’s first Netflix release in 2020. Morris Mugisha’s Tembele became the country’s first Oscar submission in 2022. Festivals and training programs now nurture new voices, and Ugandan cinema stands on the edge of a true renaissance.

Major Players: How Institutions Built the Industry

• Uganda Communications Commission (UCC): Runs the Uganda Film Festival, provides grants.

• Pearl International Film Festival: Since 2011, a hub for local talent.

• Maisha Film Lab: Founded by Mira Nair in 2004, training young filmmakers.

• Pearlwood: Umbrella association uniting Ugandan filmmakers.

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 its most triumphant breakthroughs.

🔍 What You'll Learn:

• How post-apartheid freedom opened new storytelling possibilities

• Why Afrikaans and indigenous language cinema redefined the industry

• The impact of state funding and private investment (NFVF, MultiChoice, Netflix)

• The rise of streaming and digital production

• How institutions like SABC, Ster-Kinekor, and Showmax shaped the new era

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, and freedom.

Whether it was through coded critique, smuggled scripts, or global co-productions, cinema during apartheid was never neutral — it was either complicit or courageous.

🎬 In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How apartheid policies shaped film production and censorship

• The role of the Publications Control Board in banning and editing films

• How state-backed institutions like SANLAM and SABC controlled media narratives

• The emergence of the B-scheme film system and its limitations

• Key figures like Jans Rautenbach, Simon Sabela, Anant Singh, and Oliver Schmitz

• Why Mapantsula and Place of Weeping became turning points in South African film history

• Jans Rautenbach – Pioneer of Afrikaans psychological cinema

• Simon M. Sabela – First Black South African film director (U'Deliwe)

• Darrell Roodt – Director of Place of Weeping and Sarafina!

• Anant Singh – Producer of numerous anti-apartheid films

• Ster Films / Kinekor

• Publications Control Board

• SANLAM Insurance Group

• SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation)

• Katrina (1969)

• Boesman and Lena (1973)

• U'Deliwe (1974)

• Mapantsula (1987)

🎧 Tune in and discover how cinema became a weapon of both oppression and defiance.

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 1896.

In this episode, we dive into:

• 🎥 How South Africa became one of the earliest adopters of cinema in the world
• 🧠 The powerful rise of Isidore Schlesinger and African Film Productions
• 📽️ Why De Voortrekkers (1916) became more than just a film — but a cultural ritual
• 📢 How film was used for nationalism, propaganda, and even censorship
• 🌍 The unexpected global links to Hollywood and the British Empire

This era — from 1895 to 1947 — shows how cinema in South Africa was never just about entertainment. It was always about identity, power, and the stories that shaped the nation.

Quote of the Episode:
“De Voortrekkers wasn’t just South Africa’s first epic — it became a ritual film for the descendants of the Great Trek.”

📩 Got a thought or question about today’s episode? Just hit reply. I read everything.

Thank you for listening!

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 dynamic cinematic landscapes. With deep dives into institutions like the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), and films like Wechma, Ali Zaoua, and The Blue Caftan, this episode uncovers how Moroccan cinema has evolved into a bold mirror of society.

🎬 What You’ll Learn:

• How colonialism shaped early film in Morocco

• The birth of “cinematic modernity” in the 1970s

• The role of the state and television in growing local film

• The rise of female directors and diaspora voices

• How Moroccan filmmakers use cinema to confront social issues

🎞️ Featured Films:

• Le chèvrier marocain (1897)

• Le fils maudit (1958)

• Wechma (1970)

• A Thousand and One Hands (1973)

• Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets (2000)

• A Door to the Sky (1988)

• The Blue Caftan (2022)

• Everybody Loves Touda (2023)

🎤 Notable Figures:

• Hamid Bénani

• Nabil Ayouch

• Maryam Touzani

• Farida Benlyazid

• Faouzi Bensaïdi

• Narjiss Nejjar

• Souheil Ben Barka

• Farida Bourquia

• King Mohammed VI (film patronage)

🏛️ Institutions & Events:

• Centre Cinématographique Marocain (CCM)

• RTM, 2M, Medi1 TV

• Marrakech International Film Festival

• Atlas Workshops

• Cinémathèque de Tanger

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

• CCM: https://www.ccm.ma

• Festival International du Film de Marrakech: https://marrakech-festival.com

• Learn more at [Insert your podcast site or social link]

📣 Support the Podcast:
Enjoyed this episode? Follow The African Cinema Podcast, rate us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share with fellow cinephiles.

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 The Boy Kumasenu and I Told You So, to Love Brewed in the African Pot, Keteke, and The Perfect Picture. Along the way, we meet legendary figures like Kwaw Ansah, Shirley Frimpong-Manso, King Ampaw, and Leila Djansi, and reflect on the institutions—from the Gold Coast Film Unit to NAFTI and the National Film Authority—that held the vision together.

🎬 You’ll learn about:

• The colonial roots of Ghanaian cinema (1920s–1950s)

• The nation-building film policy era (1960s–1970s)

• The rise of independent cinema and Ghollywood (1980s–present)

• The impact of key directors, producers, actors, and state institutions

• How Ghanaian cinema intersects with Nollywood and global platforms like Netflix

🎧 Perfect for listeners who love:

• African film and history

• Postcolonial and Pan-African storytelling

• Behind-the-scenes film industry insights

• Cultural policy, identity, and creative entrepreneurship

📣 Support the Show:
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your network, subscribe to The African Cinema Podcast, and leave us a rating or review. Your support helps amplify African stories and creators around the world.

🔗 Resources & References:

• Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture: https://www.motac.gov.gh/film

• “Love Brewed in the African Pot” Review: The Broken Cliché

• NAFTI: https://nafti.edu.gh

• Ghanaian cinema history via GhanaWeb, Wikipedia, and festival archives

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 more than a century.

This episode explores:

• The colonial-era film apparatus and its use as a propaganda machine

• The erasure and exoticization of Kenyan people in early cinema

• The slow post-independence build-up toward local production

• The game-changing rise of Riverwood and digital storytelling

• Key films and figures that have defined Kenya’s cinematic identity

• The contemporary struggles and the growing global promise of Kenyan filmmakers

If you’ve ever wondered why Kenya, with its rich culture and powerful stories, took so long to emerge on the global film stage — this is the history you need to hear.

📌 Key Topics Covered:

1. The Colonial Gaze and Cinema as Control (1909–1963)

• 1909: First film shot in Kenya documents Theodore Roosevelt’s safari

• Colonial Film Unit (CFU) and its mobile cinema vans produce “instructional” propaganda

• African stories sidelined; censorship institutionalized by the 1912 ordinance

• Hollywood arrives: Trader Horn, Men Against the Sun, and Mogambo filmed in Kenya — with zero Kenyan input

• Film as an imperial project: reinforcing British rule and racial hierarchy

2. Post-Independence Struggles and Sparks of Storytelling (1963–1990s)

• Kenya Film Corporation (KFCp) founded in 1967 to promote local production

• Feature filmmaking begins slowly: Kolor Mask (1985) and Saïkati (1992) break ground

• A mix of government short films and co-productions dominates the era

• Limited infrastructure, outdated equipment, and a lack of funding stall progress

• National identity on screen remains elusive but emerging

3. The Riverwood Revolution and Rise of the Digital Filmmaker (1990s–Today)

• Cheap VCD tech and DSLR cameras spark Riverwood: a grassroots film movement

• Hundreds of titles made in Swahili, Sheng, Kikuyu, and more — shot in under 7 days

• Distribution via matatus and DVD stalls; actors paid in DVD shares

• Riverwood gives Kenya its own low-budget but high-volume film culture

• Critics attack quality, but audiences respond — and new talent rises

4. Institutional Frameworks, Censorship, and Policy Gaps

• Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) and outdated colonial censorship laws still shape content

• Rafiki (2018) banned for queer themes — sparking legal and global conversation

• Kenya Film Commission (2005) and Kalasha Awards offer limited support

• Piracy, limited distribution, and lack of copyright enforcement plague growth

• Current initiatives include regional hubs, digital streaming, and school-based film training

5. Contemporary Cinema and Cultural Representation

• New wave directors: Wanuri Kahiu (Rafiki), Judy Kibinge (Something Necessary), Likarion Wainaina (Supa Modo), David Gitonga (Nairobi Half Life)

• Stories explore LGBTQ+ identity, urban poverty, Maasai traditions, and post-election trauma

• Visual storytelling is evolving: from neorealism to Afrofuturist aesthetics and genre play

• Films like Kati Kati, Veve, and From a Whisper put Kenya on international festival circuits

• Docubox, Lola Kenya Screen, and Hot Sun Foundation fuel new voices and documentary storytelling

6. What’s Next for Kenyan Cinema?

• Youth-led film collectives and content creators on the rise

• Netflix, Showmax, and YouTube shifting the distribution game

• Growing calls for a distinct “Kenyan film voice” — rooted in local languages, stories, and aesthetic choices

• Mobile filmmaking, AI dubbing, and co-productions with Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa point to a bold, diverse future

• Kenya’s cinematic potential lies in its ability to balance commercial viability with cultural truth-telling

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 Diop’s historic Cannes debut, this is the story of resistance, rebirth, and reinvention.

🎬 We examine how Camp de Thiaroye and Guelwaar extended Ousmane Sembène’s cinematic resistance into a new political decade.
📽️ We look at Safi Faye’s lyrical Mossane and her ongoing commitment to rural Senegalese stories.
🎞️ We revisit Hyènes and La Petite Vendeuse de Soleil, Djibril Diop Mambéty’s haunting final statements.
📺 We dive into the digital era—from YouTube series to streaming culture—and a new generation reclaiming the screen.

Films Mentioned

Camp de Thiaroye (1987)Sembène's dramatization of the 1944 Thiaroye massacre—unflinching in its critique of French colonialism and banned in France for years.
🎞 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094792/

Guelwaar (1992)
A provocative portrait of a political activist whose death sparks a conflict over religious identity, foreign aid, and national values.
🎞 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107060/

Selbé et tant d'autres (1983)
Safi Faye’s documentary chronicling the life of Selbé, a woman in rural Senegal who supports her family alone.
🎞 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1537275/

Mossane (1996)A coming-of-age story centered on a 14-year-old girl in a Serer village, blending beauty, tradition, and quiet rebellion.🎞 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113867/

Hyènes (1992)Mambéty’s surreal adaptation of Dürrenmatt’s The Visit, critiquing consumerism and the price of justice in a corrupt society.🎞 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104485/

La Petite Vendeuse de Soleil (1999)Mambéty’s final film—a short, luminous tale of a disabled girl who defies gender norms to become a newspaper seller in Dakar.🎞 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0201843/

Atlantics (2019)Directed by Mati Diop, this Cannes Grand Prix-winning film blends migration drama with supernatural love story, giving voice to the young and dispossessed in Dakar.🎞 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10403420/

Maîtresse d’un homme marié (2019– )A groundbreaking YouTube/Wolof-language series from Marodi TV exploring love, gender politics, and urban life in contemporary Senegal.🎞 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11247994/

Emerging Voices & Institutions

• Mati Diop – First Black woman to compete at Cannes; creator of Atlantics

• Angèle Diabang – Director of Congo, un médecin pour sauver les femmes and several short films on identity and womanhood

• Moussa Touré – Known for La Pirogue (2012), focused on migration and human rights

• Alassane Sy – Director of Marabout (2016) and advocate for queer and marginalized narratives

• Kourtrajmé Dakar – Film school founded in 2022 to train a new generation of Senegalese filmmakers

• Complexe Cinématographique Ousmane Sembène – Reopened in 2018 to restore cinema-going culture in Dakar

🎥 Emerging Voices & Institutions

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 transition from novelist to filmmaker in Borom Sarret (1963) and Black Girl (1966).
🎞️ We spotlight Djibril Diop Mambéty’s kinetic shorts Contras’ City (1969) & Badou Boy (1970) leading to the surreal road-movie Touki Bouki (1973).
💡 We explore Safi Faye’s vérité poetics in Kaddu Beykat (1975), banned at home but celebrated abroad.

🟢 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube

🎬 Films Mentioned

• Afrique-sur-Seine (1955): West African students in Paris confront identity and prejudice in this 21-minute defiance of colonial censorship.
  IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1705824/

• Borom Sarret (1963): An 18-minute realist drama of a Dakar cart driver’s daily humiliations; often called the first true African film.
  IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060183/

• Black Girl (1966): The first sub-Saharan fiction feature by a Black director, it follows a Senegalese maid’s alienation in France.
  IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060758/

• Mandabi (1968): A Wolof-language satire about an illiterate man’s struggle to cash a money order, skewering post-independence bureaucracy.
  IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063049/

• Emitai (1971): A Diola-and-French epic depicting villagers’ resistance to Vichy France’s World War II conscription.
  IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067368/

• Contras’ City (1969): Mambéty’s debut short: a restless portrait of urban dislocation in Dakar.
  IMDb: N/A

• Badou Boy (1970): A slapstick-laden chase short critiquing social inequality through a petty thief’s flight across Dakar.
  IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181352/

• Touki Bouki (1973): A surreal road-movie of lovers dreaming of Paris, using frenetic editing to capture postcolonial disillusionment.
  IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070975/

• La Passante (1972): Faye’s debut short observing a young woman navigating Dakar’s marketplaces.
  IMDb: N/A

• Revanche (1973): A contemplative short by Faye on rural justice and personal vengeance in her Serer village.
  IMDb: N/A

• Kaddu Beykat (1975): A vérité-style critique of agricultural policies in a Serer village; banned locally, it won Cannes’s FIPRESCI Prize.
  IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073659/

• Xala (1975): Sembène’s satire of post-independence elites, where a businessman’s impotence becomes political allegory.
  IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073871/

• Ceddo (1977): A precolonial allegory of cultural resistance as non-Muslims oppose forced religious conversion.
  IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076468/

• Fad’jal (1979): Faye’s homage to her Serer roots, preserving oral histories through villagers’ storytelling.
  IMDb: N/A

Next Up (Part 2): We dive into the 1980s—when austerity shuttered Dakar’s cinemas, yet visionaries like Sembène and Faye refused to be silenced, and digital tools sparked a vibrant resurgence.

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 and The Square

• The impact of Netflix and Shahid on local production

• The collapse of box office revenue post-2023

• Why directors like Ayten Amin and Amr Salama matter more than ever

• And the new frontier of indie Egyptian cinema

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

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 Egyptian cinema weathered four decades of political shakeups, economic reform, censorship, and cultural reinvention.

🎬 In the 1960s, cinema was a weapon of the state.
🎬 In the 1970s, it became a battlefield for memory, law, and identity.
🎬 In the 1980s, it transformed into a gritty mirror for ordinary lives.
🎬 And in the 1990s, it reached outward—toward the world stage.

Through the voices of directors like Atef El-Tayeb, Daoud Abdel-Sayed, Inas al-Dughaydi, Radwan El-Kashef, and Yousry Nasrallah, we witness a new generation of storytellers rising—armed with realism, resistance, and relentless creativity.

From I Want a Solution to Kit Kat, from feminism to urban decay, this episode explores how film held a mirror to a nation in flux. It's about women taking control of the narrative, artists pushing past censorship, and filmmakers dreaming across borders.

We go beyond the surface—into the politics, the poetry, and the pain that made these films more than entertainment. They were resistance. They were reflection. They were raw truth on celluloid.

What You Will Hear

• The fall of Nasser-era cinematic idealism and the rise of Sadat’s infitah years

• How filmmakers rewrote (or resisted rewriting) Egypt’s revolutionary past

• The rise of feminist narratives and courtroom dramas in the 1970s

• A breakdown of New Realism in the 1980s and how it redefined cinema

• The 1990s wave of international co-productions, artistic risk-taking, and quiet endurance

• The shifting gaze toward Cairo’s underclasses, working women, and invisible lives

• Why this period laid the foundation for the independent wave of the 2000s and beyond

Films You’ll Discover in This Episode:

We break down and analyze major works including:

• I Want a Solution (1975) — A feminist legal drama that shook Egypt’s courtrooms and audiences. IMDb

• Bus Driver (1982) — A story of betrayal, dignity, and economic despair. IMDb

• The Innocent (1986) — A chilling critique of police brutality and political violence. IMDb

• The Iron Woman (1987) — A portrait of a woman standing firm against systemic injustice. IMDb

• The Woman and the Law (1988) — One woman’s journey through Egypt’s legal labyrinth. IMDb

• The File on Samya Sha'rawi (1988) — A powerful story of female resilience. IMDb

• We Are the People of the Bus (1979) — Cairo’s streets become a stage for social tension. IMDb

• The Guilty (1976) — Corruption, class, and moral decay beneath the surface of a crime. IMDb

• Kit Kat (1991) — A blind dreamer’s poetic view of a decaying Cairo. IMDb

• Cheap Flesh (1995) — Gender, survival, and the price of freedom. IMDb

• The City (1999) — An elegy for migration and lost dreams. IMDb

• Mercedes (1995) — A surreal journey through Cairo’s alienation and wealth. IMDb

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 of pioneers like Umm Kulthum, Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Kamal Selim, and Youssef Chahine. We explore how women redefined their roles on-screen and how post-revolutionary Egypt used cinema as a mirror, a megaphone, and a battlefield.

📼 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The nationalist vision behind Talaat Harb’s founding of Studio Misr

• Why musical cinema became a tool of cultural diplomacy

• How women like Faten Hamama and Hind Rostom reshaped gender narratives

• Why The Will (1939) signaled a turn toward realism

• How post-1952 films critiqued power through allegory

• The impact of nationalization on Egypt’s creative freedom

📢 Next Up on Projector Dreams:

We move into the turbulent 1960s and 70s—an era of political volatility, cinematic experimentation, and pan-African solidarity. Stay tuned.

Until then, keep the reels rolling.
— The African Cinema Podcast Team

🎞️ Featured Films

Weddad (1936)A wealthy merchant falls in love with his slave, Wedad, but their romance is tested by misfortune and social pressure. Umm Kulthum’s debut.IMDb

Sallama (1945)A musical melodrama set in a historical Bedouin context, starring Umm Kulthum and themed around love, loyalty, and folklore.IMDb

The Will (Al-ʿAzīma) (1939)One of Egypt’s first neorealist films. A working-class man and his partner struggle with poverty, dignity, and perseverance.IMDb

The Second Wife (Al-Zawja al-Thāniya) (1967)A young woman is coerced into marriage by a corrupt village official, exposing the abuse of power and gender inequality.IMDb

Cairo Station (Bāb al-Ḥadīd) (1958)A disturbing psychological drama set at Cairo’s train station, following a newspaper vendor's descent into obsession. Directed by Youssef Chahine.IMDb

The Land (Al-Ard) (1970)A powerful critique of feudalism and injustice in rural Egypt, depicting farmers' resistance against landlord tyranny.IMDb

The Nightingale’s Prayer (1959)Faten Hamama stars as a Bedouin woman seeking revenge after her sister’s honor killing, exploring themes of justice and retribution.IMDb

I Am Free (Ana Hurra) (1959)A feminist drama about a woman rejecting traditional marriage and societal expectations in pursuit of autonomy.IMDb

Women Without Men (1953)A film about four women who band together after rejecting oppressive relationships, forging solidarity and freedom.IMDb

The Sin (Al-Haram) (1965)A peasant woman’s tragic fate after a rape exposes rural injustice and systemic neglect. Directed by Henri Barakat.IMDb

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 national force.

Following our exploration of Nigerian cinema, this new arc expands the lens to Egypt—a country whose early cinematic journey defined film across the Arab world.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How and when cinema first arrived in Egypt

• Why Alexandria became the launchpad for moving pictures in the region

• The story of Aziz & Dorés: the Middle East’s first film studio

• Mohamed Bayoumi’s revolutionary role in shaping Egyptian cinema

• How nationalist politics and colonial resistance shaped early storytelling

• The significance of Barsoum Looking for a Job (1923)

• The rise of Aziza Amir and the making of Layla, Egypt’s first narrative feature

• The role of Talaat Harb and the founding of Misr Acting and Cinema

• How early Egyptian cinema reflected and helped shape cultural identity

This is part of our ongoing deep-dive into African cinematic histories—following our Nigerian cinema series. Here, we begin the Egyptian arc, setting the stage for the Golden Age to come.

We’ll explore the rise of Studio Misr and the 1940s–1960s golden era of Egyptian cinema, where film became not just national but continental in its influence.

💌 Stay in the Loop

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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 Nollywood—from its global reach to the frustrations of underappreciated local audiences, the power of original storytelling, and the future he hopes to see for the industry.

This one’s for the filmmakers, the critics, and anyone who truly loves Nigerian film.

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Ikenna Churchill is a Nigerian-based culture writer, researcher, and content consultant. His work has appeared in The Guardian Nigeria, The Nollywood Reporter, West Africa Weekly, and more. He explores the intersections of storytelling, society, and culture across Africa with a sharp critical eye and editorial excellence. Currently the Managing Editor at Akpata Magazine, Ikenna also consults for brands and writers, helping shape meaningful narratives for diverse audiences.

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• 🎧 Spotify

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• 🌐 YouTube

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🧠 Topics Discussed:

• Why many Nigerians don’t watch Nollywood movies

• The disconnect between cinema-quality and audience tastes

• Ikenna’s hope for more cultural storytelling

• The need for better casting processes

• How books and history can shape Nollywood’s future

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📌 Key Quote:

“We are the second biggest film industry in the world, yet we don’t treat our stories with the care and dignity they deserve. Culture should be the anchor of Nollywood—not just numbers.”

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 talent, and the widespread adoption of digital technology. Filmmakers started to look back to the Golden Age for inspiration, embracing high-budget productions and more refined storytelling that not only improved production quality but also led to increased international recognition.

Key Topics Covered:

• Transition from Video Film Era:

  • How a lack of funding, piracy, and low-quality productions nearly brought the Video Film Era to an end by the late 2000s.

• Emergence of a New Vision:

  • The pivotal role of Silverbird Cinemas (launched in 2004) in signaling the beginning of a more cinematic approach.

  • The shift from VHS to digital technology, which allowed for longer production periods and higher quality films.

• Return of Diasporic Talent and Investment:

  • The impact of Nigerians returning home post-military rule (after 1999) with capital and expertise.

  • Key figures like Kunle Afolayan, whose film Irapada became the first high-budget local film to be screened at Silverbird Galleria, paving the way for a new era.

  • Other influential films such as The Amazing Grace and the role of international collaborations.

• Evolution of Distribution Channels:

  • The emergence of digital distribution platforms like IrokoTV (launched in 2011) and Netflix’s increasing investment in Nollywood.

  • How streaming platforms have expanded the reach of Nigerian films globally.

• Re-defining Nollywood:

  • The evolving definition of “Nollywood” and how it now encompasses a broader spectrum of film activities, including collaborations with Ghanaian producers and diaspora films.

  • The role of sub-industries—Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa cinemas—in the overall structure of Nollywood.

• Challenges and Future Outlook:

  • Persistent challenges such as piracy and content management.

  • The optimistic future driven by a dynamic mix of seasoned professionals, emerging talent, and renewed financial support.

Stay updated with every new episode of The African Cinema Podcast by subscribing to the Newsletter: https://acp.nextframe.media/#/portal/

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 technological advancements that led Nigerian filmmakers to adopt video over traditional celluloid, democratizing film production and enabling a surge in locally produced content. ​

• "Living in Bondage" (1992): An in-depth look at this groundbreaking film by Kenneth Nnebue, which became a massive success and is often credited with launching Nollywood. We examine its themes, production journey, and lasting impact on the industry. ​AKOROKO

• Cultural Resonance: How Nollywood films have consistently reflected and influenced Nigerian society, addressing local narratives and moral themes that resonate with audiences both domestically and internationally. ​Financial Times

Resources Mentioned:

• Living in Bondage - Wikipedia​

• The History Of Nollywood: From VHS To Netflix​Nigerian Search Guide

Join us as we continue to delve into the rich tapestry of African cinema, uncovering the stories and people that have shaped its evolution.

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🎬 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 industry experienced rapid growth. Cinemas doubled in number, foreign-owned theaters were reclaimed by local entrepreneurs, and pioneering filmmakers like Hubert Ogunde, Ola Balogun, and Moses Olaiya brought theatre to the big screen. The government’s push for local ownership through the Nigerian Enterprises Decree of 1972 further solidified the presence of Nigerians in the industry.

But as television broadcasting gained traction and the cost of celluloid filmmaking became unsustainable, a shift was inevitable. This episode explores the pivotal moments, the legendary films, and the factors that shaped Nigeria’s cinematic journey during this golden era.

🎧 Join us as we explore how Nigeria’s film industry rose to prominence, the cultural influences that shaped its direction, and the transition that set the stage for Nollywood.

🎬 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 authorities in the early 1900s to the rise of indigenous productions in the 1950s, we uncover how cinema in Nigeria transitioned from a tool of Western propaganda to a powerful medium for storytelling and cultural expression. We also discuss the pivotal role of filmmakers like Hubert Ogunde, who laid the groundwork for Nigeria’s thriving film scene.

🎧 Tune in to discover how Nigerian cinema was born and the factors that shaped its earliest years.