Original Programming!  An Africa Channel Exclusive!

Noted and rising producers, directors and actors from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Algeria, South Africa and Nigeria give viewers the inside stories behind their films in this revealing Filmmakers series.  The network also presents full-length award-winning classic films and film shorts from contemporary African cinema.

Filmmakers: The First Grader

This narrative feature is based on the true story about an 84-year-old Kenyan villager and ex-Mau Mau warrior who fights for his right to go to back to school.

Filmmakers: Restless City

The new film by Nigerian director Andrew Dosunmu explores the life of a group of African immigrants living in New York City—their struggles, hopes and dreams.  Through interviews with several members of the cast, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the complexity of the African immigrant experience.

Filmmakers: Ni Wakati

Kenyan filmmakers Michael Wanguhu and Russell Kenya share the story behind their documentary, which follows two of the biggest names in hip hop—M1 of Dead Prez and Umi of POW—back to the continent. The filmmakers trace the connection these artists have to historic revolutionaries—from the Mau Mau to Malcolm, the Black Panthers to rappers—as they pass the revolutionary torch.

Filmmakers: An African Election

Filmmakers Jarreth and Kevin Merz share the story behind their award-winning documentary, which takes a behind-the-scenes look at Ghana’s 2008 presidential election.  The filmmakers provide an unprecedented insider’s view of the political, economic and social forces at work in the West African nation.

Filmmakers: Black Mozart in Cuba

Caribbean filmmakers Stephanie and Steve James share the story behind their award-winning documentary on the extraordinary life of renowned 18th-century composer and “black superman” St. George de Chevalier—a man whose life was once literally erased from the pages of history. The husband and wife team tell us why they chose to tell the story through the lens of a week-long cultural exchange between Guadeloupe and Cuba.