23 African Films You Should See

Since the beginning of cinema, the global film industry has been dominated by a handful of markets, with Hollywood being at the top of the list. Thanks to the disruptive presence of the internet and streaming services, African filmmakers are finally garnering more attention.

Below is a list of 23 films that are written and directed by established and up-and-coming African filmmakers. Some still call Africa home, while others share stories of the motherland from the countries they’ve migrated to.

#1 Rafiki (2018)

Wanuri Kahiu’s 2018 film (co-written with South Africa’s Jenna Cato Bass) is the first Kenyan film to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

It was banned in her home country as it tells the story of two Kenyan women who fall in love. Wanuri is currently directing her first Hollywood movie The Thing About Jellyfish.

#2 King of Boys (2018)

Kemi Adetiba is a powerhouse Nollywood writer and director who has directed multiple Nigerian movies, TV series, and music videos. Her blockbuster film, King of Boys, tells the story of how a businesswoman’s political ambitions are threatened by her underworld connections.

The film is such a hit that the streaming platforms came calling, offering her a series that acts as the sequel to her movie—and introducing Kemi and her characters to a global audience. Now the rest of the world can see why she is one of Nollywood’s biggest names.

#3 I Want A Wedding Dress (2011)

Written and directed by Zimbabwe’s Tsitsi Dangarembga, this 2011 film follows young Kundisai, who like many girls dreams of her wedding day. But the nightmare begins when she finds herself trapped in the sex trade, and in the arms of a promiscuous businessman.

#4 Timbuktu (2014)

Written and directed by Mauritanian-born Abderrahmane Sissako, this is a story on how the life of a cattle farmer and his family is turned upside down when his village is occupied by Jihadists.

The film was nominated for the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Ecumenical Jury and the François Chalais Prize.

#5 I Am Not A Witch (2017)

This film garnered the 2018 BAFTA and countless independent and international film nominations and awards. This is the debut film of Zambian-Welsh writer and director Rungano Nyoni.

Set in her home country of Zambia, it tells the story of a young girl from a rural town deemed a witch. She is sent to a witch camp, where she is tethered and put on display for tourists to take photos of.

#6 Mokalik (2019)

Written by Tunde Babalola and directed by the great Kunle Afolayan, Mokalik tells the story of an 11-year-old boy who takes a job as a mechanic’s apprentice. It is a film about the need to earn versus the need to learn where a young man has to decide whether to return to his studies or remain as an apprentice.

#7 Maki’La (2018)

Written and directed by Macherie Ekwa Bahango from the Democratic Republic of Congo, this is the story of Maki’la, a young girl living on the streets. She is married to a gang leader who spends what little money they acquire getting drunk and high. But when Maki’la meets a new love interest who inspires her to want more for herself, this creates a life-threatening rivalry. Maki’la won top prize at Ecrans Noirs African film festival in Cameroon

#8 Nairobi Half Life (2012)

Kenya’s David ‘Tosh’ Gitonga’s, Nairobi Half Life delivers a story we all know well—a small town boy dreams of moving to the big city to pursue his dreams of becoming an actor. Despite the protests of his family, the main character, Mwas leaves his small village and heads to Nairobi.

But he is soon overwhelmed by bustling city life. He is robbed and left with nothing, forcing him to turn to a life of petty crime. He soon finds himself facing the decision of whether to pursue his dream or live a life of crime and fast money.

#9 La Pirougue (2012)

A harrowing refugee story of Senegalese men who cross the Atlantic to Spain in hopes of a better life. A common story told from a unique perspective. This film was directed by Senegalese Moussa Toure and written by the joint team of Eric Neve and David Bouchete.

#10 Atlantiques (2019)

French-Senegalese director Mati Diop, delivers the story of Souleiman, a construction worker from Dakar, who decides to leave the country in search of something better.

Souleiman meets and falls in love with the beautiful Ada, but she is already engaged. Will she choose wealth without love or love and poverty?

#11 Borders (2017)

Four women from different regions of Africa develop an unlikely friendship while travelling by bus across West Africa. This is a story of friendship that explores what all women have in common. Written and directed by Burkinabe Apolline Traoré.

#12 As I Open My Eyes (2015)

18-year-old Farah, dreams of becoming a singer, however, her mother wants her to become a doctor. This story is set just months before the Tunisian revolution and depicts the effects of external events on the lives and dreams of ordinary people. Directed by Tunisian Leyla Bouzid (whose father Nouri is also a renowned director) and written by Leyla Bouzid and Marie-Sophie Cambon.

#13 Félicité (2017)

We are invited into the life of Congolese singer Félicité as she pursues her dream of being a musician. However, her world is turned upside down when her 14-year-old son is hospitalized following a motorcycle accident.

Directed by French-Senegalese Alain Gomis and written by Alain Gomis, Olivier Loustau, and Delphine Zing.

#14 Lingui (2021)

Written and directed by Chadian Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, the award-winning story of Amina, whose 15-year-old daughter Maria gets pregnant.

Maria wants an abortion, but abortion is illegal in Chad, and as practising Muslims, is morally condemned.

#15 Ayinla (2021)

Directed by Nigerian Tunde Kelani and written by Ade Derek Adeniji, the film is based on the life of famed Apala musician Ayinla Omowura (also known as Ayinla Yusuf). Ayinla was stabbed to death by his manager during a bar fight in 1980.

#16 Soul Diaspora (2010)

Nigerian writer and director, Odera Ozoka, delivers the harrowing story of Saidu, an immigrant who struggles to overcome PTSD and the feelings of isolation whilst living in LA. This Pan African Film Festival-winning story is delivered through flashbacks to Saidu’s past and his present-day experiences.

#17 Teza (2008)

After the overthrow of the Mengistu government, 60-year-old, Anberber returns to his home village in Ethiopia from West Germany.

Although he finds comfort from his ageing mother he feels alienated from those around him by his absence from home for so long and is disillusioned and haunted by his past.

Directed by Haile Gerima the film won numerous awards on the festival circuit.

#18 Bendskins (2021)

We are introduced to modern-day life in urban Cameroon as seen through the eyes of three bendskins—aka. taxi drivers. It also shares the struggles of their everyday lives. Directed by Narcisse Wandji and written by Narcisse Wandji and Bouna Guazong.

#19 A United Kingdom (2016)

Inspired by the real-life true story of Botswanan King Seretse Khama and his controversial marriage to a white British woman.

Directed by British-born Ghanian Amma Asante and written by Guy Hibbert and Susan Williams.

#20 This Is Not A Burial, It’s A Resurrection (2019)

Written and directed by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese and filmed in Lesotho, this story celebrates an 80-year-old widow, who inspires resistance when her village faces resettlement due to the construction of a reservoir.

#21 Downstream To Kinshasa (2002)

This 2002 documentary, written and directed by Dieudo Hamadi, tells of the inspiring true-life trek of injured and displaced residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo who head to the capital city of Kinshasa to ensure their voices are heard.

#22 The Children’s Republic (2012)

Starring African American actor Danny Glover in a story of child soldiers who band together to save their homes after their country is ravished by warfare. It’s one of many hits by Guinea-Bissau director Flora Gomes. Written by Flora Gomes and Franck Moisnard.

#23 Suru L'ere (2016)

Another Nollywood favourite, directed by Mildred Okwo and written by Richard Odilu. Set in Nigeria’s capital city Lagos, it focuses on the life of young graduate Arinze. She is eager to get ahead but has a lot to learn about life.

And there you have it, 23 African Movies to add to your watch list.

If you have not watched African films before then look at the films listed above as your starter list for an exploration of cinema from a continent that is finally making its voice heard loud and clear in the film industry. However, despite an endlessly growing appetite for African film it is still far too difficult to get find, let alone purchase!

We have added links to those that we found available. Please use our links so that we get a small commission to help run this site. But also make it a point to ask for more African movies to be available through your streaming service and from retailers, and support these talented creatives in getting their work to a broader audience.

Hopefully, the African films above will inspire you to explore other works by African directors, writers, and actors.