Challenge accepted!
In a recent Twitter thread initiated by Akoroko, a challenge was thrown open to the Twitter community to identify one filmmaker from each of Africa’s 54 countries. Some would argue the number is actually 55 or even 59. As stated in the tweet, unlisted are territories that are disputed or are not universally recognized.
The challenge, which was intended to be a fun activity, also served as a platform to highlight the diversity and richness of African cinema. Try it. How many countries can you check off before you have to call on a Google search for help?
Without further ado… In the order of flags in the above image, 54 countries, 54 filmmakers:
Angola: Zézé Gamboa is a prominent figure in Angolan cinema, known for directing films such as “The Hero” (2004) and “The Great Kilapy” (2012).
Benin: Jean Odoutan, who directed films such as “Barbecue Pejo” (2000), “Djib” (2013), and “The Pantheon of Joy” (2022).
Burundi: Léonce Ngabo, whose credits include “Gito, l’ingrat” (1992), and “A Sunday in Kigali” (2006).
Botswana: Thato Rantao Mwosa. This was a challenge because there isn’t much of a local industry in the landlocked southern African nation. Mwosa has one feature credit: “Memoirs of a Black Girl” (2021).
Eritrea: Rahel Tewelde. Like Botswana, this was also a challenge. The country has a long and complex history, officially declaring its independence (from Ethiopia) in 1993. Tewelde’s credits include “Hid’get” (“Forgiveness,” 2003), and “Shikorinatat” (“The Beautiful Ones,” 2006).
Cameroon: Jean-Pierre Bekolo, who directed “Quartier Mozart” (1992), “Aristotle’s Plot” (1996), and “Les Saignantes” (2005).
Cape Verde: Leão Lopes. He directed films such as “The Island of Contenda” (1996), “Bitú” (2009), and “São Tomé – Os Últimos Contratados” (2010).
Central African Republic: Didier Florent Ouénangaré. Best known for his collab with Cameroonian filmmaker Bassek Ba Kobhio on “The Silence of the Forest” (2003), an adaptation of a 1984 novel by Étienne Goyémidé.
Burkina Faso: Gaston Kaboré, a leading Burkinabé filmmaker, studied at the Sorbonne. Early in his career, served as Secretary-General of the Pan African Federation of Filmmakers (FEPACI). Credits include “Wend Kuuni” (1983), “Zan Boko” (1988), and “Buud Yam” (1997).
Chad: Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, who directed films such as “Abouna” (2002), “Daratt” (2006), “A Screaming Man” (2010). The acclaimed filmmaker is Chad’s most internationally recognized filmmaker (there aren’t many).
Republic of the Congo: Sébastien Kamba is a pioneer. In 1965, he made the first Congolese fiction film, the short “Kaka Yo” (“Rien que toi”). In 1973, he directed the first feature film in the Republic, “La Rançon d’une alliance,” adapted from the novel “La légende de Mfoumou Ma Mazono” by Jean Malonga.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Mwezé Ngangura. He studied at the Institut des arts de diffusion in Belgium. His most notable work is “La vie est belle” (1987), co-directed with Benoît Lamy and starred Papa Wemba.
Equatorial Guinea: Rubén Monsuy Ndong Andeme stands out in a country without a significant film culture. He directed a documentary film titled “Marfil” in 2011 which tells the story of the history of cinema in Equatorial Guinea.
Egypt: Youssef Chahine directed films like “Cairo Station” (1958), “The Land” (1969), and “Alexandria… Why?” (1979). He is one of the most influential and prolific filmmakers in Egyptian film history, and the Arab world.
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland): Xolelwa Nhlabatsi. The history of cinema in Eswatini is not very well documented or developed. As a result, film output is a challenge to come by. Nhlabatsi is an Eswatini-born filmmaker who also claims both Eswatini and South African heritage. Eswatini and South Africa share a long history (and a border) that’s complex and multifaceted. Nhlabatsi’s resume is young and short, including “Lost in the World” (2015) and part of the anthology “New Queer Visions: Lust in Translation.”
Algeria: Yamina Bachir. Best known for her film “Rachida” (2002) which screened in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival. The film is considered significant as the first 35mm feature directed by an Algerian woman in Algeria.
Djibouti: Lula Ali Ismaïl is recognized as the first woman from Djibouti to produce a film. There are few local filmmakers and actors, and most films are imported from abroad.
Libya: Abdella Zarok. The most challenging yet. The history of Libyan cinema has been inconsistent at best. Due to economic constraints, there was little local film production in Libya after it gained independence in 1951. In terms of specific filmmakers, Abdella Zarok’s “When Fate Hardens / Destiny is Hard” (1972) is considered the first Libyan feature film. But information available is limited, including photos and related images.
Mauritania: Abderrahmane Sissako directed films like “Life on Earth” (1998), “Bamako” (2006), and “Timbuktu” (2014) among others. He is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers from Mauritania, and all of Africa. His 2014 drama “Timbuktu” is a rare example of an African film made by an African to be nominated for an Oscar in the Best International Film category.
Comoros: Hachimiya Ahamada is one of few internationally recognized Comorian filmmakers. The film industry is relatively small. Few films are produced in the country, and information about the cinema of Comoros is limited. Ahamada is French of Comorian descent. Her short drama “The Ylang Ylang Residence” (2008) was screened at many international festivals, including the International Critics Week strand at the 2008 Cannes.
Morocco: Nabil Ayouch directed films such as “Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets” (2000), “Horses of God” (2012), and “Much Loved” (2015). He is one of the most popular Moroccan filmmakers.
South Africa: Jahmil XT Qubeka is an acclaimed filmmaker known for his distinct storytelling and visual style. His work, including films like “Of Good Report” (2013) and “Sew the Winter to My Skin” (2018), has garnered recognition and awards at international film festivals.
Gabon: Imunga Ivanga is a renowned filmmaker from Gabon, born in 1967 in Libreville. Ivanga honed his filmmaking skills at FEMIS in Paris and earned his degree in 1996. His film “Dôlè (Money)” released in 2000, is one of his notable works.
Sudan: Amjad Abu Alala gained international recognition for his feature debut “You Will Die at Twenty” (2019). This film was Sudan’s first submission for Academy Awards consideration, although it wasn’t nominated.
Tunisia: Nouri Bouzid‘s debut “Man of Ashes” screened in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes in 1986. “Golden Horseshoes” screened in the same section at the 1989 festival. His most recent film, “The Scarecrows,” bowed at Venice in 2019.
Gambia: Gambian cinema is relatively young and less documented. Gambian history is closely tied to that of neighboring Senegal, and the region was often referred to as Senegambia. In Gambia, films on record include two directed by Bakary Sonko: “Kora Kids” (2014) and “Jangi Jollof” (2018). Calling Gambian filmmakers. Let us know who you are!
Guinea: Cheick Fantamady Camara is a renowned Guinean filmmakers. He directed two short films, “Konorofili” (2000) and “Bé Kunko” (2004), and two feature films, “Il va pleuvoir sur Conakry” (2006) and “Morbayssa” (2010). Camara passed away in January 2017, at 57.
Guinea-Bissau: Flora Gomes‘s feature debut, “Mortu Nega” (1987), the second feature ever made in Guinea-Bissau, was screened at several international film festivals and brought Gomes’ attention. His other notable works include “The Blue Eyes of Yonta” (1992), “Po di Sangui” (1996), and “Nha Fala” (2002).
Kenya: Wanuri Kahiu, who directed films such as “From a Whisper” (2008), “Pumzi” (2009, Sundance 2010), and “Rafiki” (2018), which had its international premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes 2018; the first Kenyan film to be screened at the festival.
Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire): Désiré Ecaré was an Ivorian cinema pioneer. He is best known for his film “Faces of Women” (1985), a seminal work that won the FIPRESCI Prize at Cannes, further cementing Ecaré’s reputation as a significant figure. He passed away in 2009, in Abidjan.
Liberia: Cheryl Dunye is a Liberian-American filmmaker. Born in Liberia, she moved to the US at a young age. Dunye is best known for her debut feature film, “The Watermelon Woman” (1996), a dynamic portrayal of Black lesbian identity by a Black lesbian director.
Madagascar: Raymond Rajaonarivelo‘s debut feature film, “Tabataba” (1988), told the story of a village during the 1947 Malagasy Uprising. This film was the first Malagasy film to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the 1988 where it won the 1988 Audience Award.
Lesotho: Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese’s “Mother, I Am Suffocating. This Is My Last Film About You” was an official selection for the 2019 Berlin Film Festival. And “This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection” won a Special Jury Award at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.
Ghana: Kwaw Ansah has directed several films that have gained international recognition. His notable works include “Love Brewed in the African Pot” (1980) and “Heritage Africa” (1989).
Mozambique: Licínio Azevedo has produced and directed several feature films, notably the 2012 drama “Virgem Margarida” and “The Train of Salt and Sugar” (2016).
Malawi: Shemu Joyah‘s debut film was “Seasons of a Life” (2009). He also directed “The Last Fishing Boat” (2012), and “The Road to Sunrise” (2017), which was the first Malawian film to be submitted for Best International Film Oscar consideration at the 91st Academy Awards.
Mauritius: Harrikrisna Anenden made his film debut in 1980 with “L’Argile et la Flamme,” and directed “La Cathédrale” in 2006 which is considered one of the greatest Mauritian films ever made.
Mali: Souleymane Cissé is one of the most influential filmmakers from Mali, and all of Africa. In 1974, Cissé produced his first full-length film, “Den muso” (“The Girl”). He’s best known for “Yeelen” (“Brightness”), which won the Jury Prize at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival, marking the first time an African film had won a prize at the festival.
São Tomé and Príncipe: The most widely-known feature film, “A frutinha do Equador” (“Little Fruit from the Equator,” 1998), was directed by an Austrian filmmaker, Herbert Brodl. Ângelo Torres is a Portuguese actor and director of São Toméan descent. In 2005, he directed “Mionga ki Ôbo” (“Sea and the Jungle”), a documentary about São Toméan history and culture. Two more films would come after: “O Solo Sagrado da Terra” (2019) and “Aqui a Batalha de Yaguajay – Sobreviventes” (2013). Documentation isn’t readily available.
Nigeria: Kunle Afolayan, son of the famous theatre and film director Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love), made his directorial debut in 2006 with “Irapada.” His notable films include “The Figurine,” (2009), “Phone Swap” (2012), “October 1” (2014), and “Citation” (2020). In 2021, Afolayan signed a three-picture deal with Netflix, which led to 2022’s epic “Aníkúlápó.”
Namibia: Perivi John Katjavivi is a Namibian-British filmmaker known for “The Unseen” (his feature debut, 2016), and “Film Festival Film” (co-directed with Mpumelelo Mcata, 2019). His latest, “Under the Hanging Tree,” is currently touring the international film festival circuit.
Niger: Moustapha Alassane is recognized for creating the first animated films of sub-Saharan Africa. His films have been featured in numerous international film festivals, and he was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007.
Zambia: Rungano Nyoni made a statement with her 2011 short “Mwansa the Great.” Although the Zambian-Welsh filmmaker is better known for her feature film debut “I Am Not a Witch,” which premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and won Nyoni the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut in 2018.
Senegal: Safi Faye was a filmmaker and ethnologist who would become the first Sub-Saharan African woman to direct a commercially distributed feature film, “Kaddu Beykat” (“Letter from My Village,” 1975). Faye’s films, both documentary and fictive, primarily focused on the role and struggles of women in rural Senegal. The last of her feature films was released in 1996, titled “Mossane,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
South Sudan: Hajooj Kuka is the director of the documentary, “Beats of the Antonov” (2014), his feature debut. In 2018, he directed his first narrative feature film, “aKasha,” which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
Rwanda: Kivu Ruhorahoza’s feature debut “Grey Matter” (“Matière Grise,” 2011), won numerous international festival awards. His other films include “Things of the Aimless Wanderer” (2015), “Europa: Based on a True Story” (2019), and, most recently, “Father’s Day” (2022).
Togo: Anne-Laure Folly 1994 documentary “Femmes aux yeux ouverts” (“Women with Eyes Open”) highlights the paradox of women’s great responsibility for the survival and welfare of their families, despite having little voice in major decisions.
Ethiopia: Haile Gerima’s impact on both sides of the Atlantic, is well documented. His films include “Bush Mama” (1976), “Harvest: 3,000 Years” (1976), “Sankofa” (1993). His most current work is “Black Lions, Roman Wolves,” a five-part work in progress that chronicles fascist Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia in the mid-1930s.
Seychelles: Seychelles has a limited cinema industry and a still developing film culture. The country has been more of a location for foreign film shoots which eclipse the few locally produced films. Although that’s starting to change. Cliff Moustache is a Seychellois-Norwegian film director, actor, and playwright. He has directed primarily short films including “Radio Knockout” (2000) and “The Last Dance” (2004). But his work has primarily been in theatre. For any Seychellois filmmakers reading this, please reach out!
Sierra Leone: Nikyatu Jusu is a Sierra Leonean-American filmmaker, whose feature film debut, Nanny, debuted at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize (US Dramatic).
Uganda: Nabwana I.G.G., whose full name is Isaac Godfrey Geoffrey Nabwana, is the founder of Wakaliwood, the now internationally-famous Ugandan film studio that produces low-budget Hollywood-style action movies. His film “Who Killed Captain Alex?” became a cult hit after he uploaded its trailer on YouTube in 2010 and the full movie in 2015.
Tanzania: Amil Shivji most internationally-recognized work, “Tug of War” (“Vuta N’Kuvute,” 2021), was Tanzania’s submission for Best International Feature Oscar consideration.
Zimbabwe: Godwin Mawuru‘s directorial debut was the film “Neria” (1992), which won him the OAU award for Best Director at the Carthage Film Festival. There isn’t a lot of online documentation on Mawuru and his other works.
Somalia: Abdulkadir Ahmed Said is best known for short films “Geedka nolosha” (“The Tree of Life,” 1988); and “La Conchiglia” (“The Shell,” 1992). Less known is a 4 hours and 30 minutes long 1985 epic “Darwiishka Soomaaliyeed” (“The Somali Dervish”) that he co-directed with Said Salah. The film is about the life and achievements of Muhammad Abdullah Hassan, the leader of the revolutionary Dervish State that fought against the British Empire for more than two decades in the early 20th century. Thought to be lost for many years, it’s considered a masterpiece of Somali cinema.
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