Afrocritik’s yearly film line-up cut across genres, including documentaries, thrillers, comedy, biopics, and drama, to explore an array of subjects such as climate change, mental health, religion, feminism, and patriotism, among others.
By Afrocritik’s Editorial Board
Reeling off the success of the past two years in African cinema, 2024 was fraught with the danger of a setback in the quality of productions that graced the screens, particularly in the first quarter of the year.
The years have had films exceptional in storytelling, gracing global stages, clinching international awards, and surmounting peculiar barriers during production. And coming off the back of these achievements, the new year stirred the resolve for an unmemorable year for African storytelling.
However, this could only be further from the truth, with the past 12 months revealing filmmakers further taking risks with their storytelling.
This is despite the fact that it is becoming difficult to generate funding, especially in a time of economic downturn, and as major streaming platforms cut down funding — such as Prime Video halting the commissioning of new original content in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.
Afrocritik’s line-up has gathered works of auteurs across Africa who shine a light on pertinent social and cultural issues while adding their refreshingly unique perspectives. They cut across genres, including documentaries, thrillers, comedy, biopics, and drama, to explore an array of subjects such as climate change, mental health, religion, feminism, and patriotism, among others.
The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos (Nigeria)
When discussing a Nollywood production where social commentary meets storytelling, The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos comes to mind. The film is written and directed by The Agbajowo Collective, a septet of both emerging and experienced filmmakers comprising Akinmuyiwa Bisola, Atinkpo Segun Elijah, Edukpo Tina, James Tayler, Mathew Cerf, Okechukwu Samuel and Ogungbamila Temitope.
The film is an immersive cinematic experience based on the real-life experiences of the Egun fishing community of Otodo Gbame, a waterfront slum in Lagos, which tries to create awareness about the compulsive eviction of poor Nigerians from their homes and communities.
The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos screened at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and the Africa International Film Festival.
Abomkhulu (South Africa)
The Kganki Star Mphahlele-directed film is a comedy which examines the realities of post-apartheid South Africa through the lives of former freedom fighters as they navigate an unfamiliar free society after spending three decades in prison.
Aside from exploring the theme of freedom, the film also imparts didactic lessons on the importance of making the most of one’s time and living in the present.
One area where Abomkhulu shines is the quality of its dialogue, where most of the comic relief comes from. It is unlike the drab nature of slapstick comedy that is common with most African films that employ the use of slow-witted characters who get into embarrassing situations.
Abomkhulu is streaming on Showmax.
A Ghetto Love Story (Nigeria)
Written by Bright “Basketmouth” Okpocha and Victoria Eze, A Ghetto Love Story follows the story of Stella (Beverly Osu) and Obinna (Akah Nnani), whose relationship is put to the test by the pressures of societal expectations, family conflicts, and personal ambitions.
Unlike your typical love story, this film doesn’t paint love to be all rosy and fun. Instead, it shows the darker side of an emotion so strong that it can cause people to act irrationally or do despicable things.
A Ghetto Love Story masterfully evokes a range of emotions in its audience, making it a truly impactful cinematic experience. A Ghetto Love Story is currently showing in cinemas in Nigeria.
Phoenix Fury (Nigeria)
Phoenix Fury tells the story of Ifeatu whose life is marked by hardship, and a desire for revenge against Yali, the man who wronged her. It unfolds through its four carefully crafted chapters, shifting seamlessly between past and present to capture Ifeatu’s struggles, and her path toward justice.
Phoenix Fury skillfully adopts a non-linear narrative, and by so doing, it weaves past and present events into a cohesive whole.
Despite being her directorial debut, Ifeoma Nkiruka Chukwuogo steers Phoenix Fury with the expertise of a seasoned director. It is no surprise that the film bagged two awards for Best Film and Best Director at the 2024 Africa International Film Festival.
Katanga: The Dance of the Scorpions (Burkina Faso)
For a long time, Burkina Faso has been an important hub of Africa’s rich arthouse film scene, and director Dani Kouyaté continues this tradition with his noir thriller, Katanga: The Dance of the Scorpions.
Shot in black and white, the film is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s timeless classic, Macbeth. It follows King Pazouknaam who names his cousin, Katanga, as head of the armed forces after a failed conspiracy against his crown.
However, things take a turn for the worse when Katanga rebels against the king and attempts to take the throne at the prompting of his rather ambitious wife. Despite being Kouyaté’s first film in almost a decade, it cements his legendary status as one of Africa’s finest storytellers.
Katanga: The Dance of the Scorpions premiered in September 2024, in the US.
Freedom Way (Nigeria)
In Freedom Way, two young software developers, Themba and Tayo, launch a successful rideshare app, Easy Go, connecting Lagos motorcyclists with customers.
However, their success is short-lived as they face police extortion and a government ban on motorcyclists, leaving one of their riders, Abiola, without a livelihood and the developers feeling exploited.
Afolabi Olalekan’s directorial debut offers a searing examination of some of the pervasive issues plaguing Nigeria, including rampant corruption, economic instability, police brutality, and political oppression.
The film sheds light on the profound impact these problems have on the country’s youth. Freedom Way premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and won the Ambitious Work Jury Prize at the African International Film Festival.
Searching for Amani (Kenya)
In this heart-wrenching documentary, 13-year-old Simon embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind his father’s mysterious murder in a Kenyan wildlife conservatory.
As a devastating drought ravages the land, Simon’s investigation takes a profound turn, transforming him from a grief-stricken child to a determined young activist.
Through Simon’s lens, the documentary captures the raw reality of his quest for answers, confronting viewers with the harsh truths of climate change.
With unflinching honesty, Searching for Amani showcases the challenges faced by a young boy driven by courage and conviction, making for an impactful viewing experience.
Directed by Nicole Gormley and Debra Aroko, Searching for Amani premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival where it won the Albert Maysles Award for Best New Documentary Director. It also won the Best Documentary Feature at the 2024 Raindance Film Festival.
Sudan, Remember Us (Sudan)
French-Tunisian Filmmaker, Hind Meddeb, is known for documenting the social situations and political expressions in the context of the Arab world.
In her 2024 documentary, Sudan, Remember Us, she offers a powerful portrayal of a pivotal moment in Sudan’s history, capturing the jubilant celebration among young Sudanese activists in Khartoum in 2023, following the overthrow of a long-standing dictatorship.
The documentary immerses the audience in the euphoria of a hard-won victory, where hope and determination fill the streets as the people of Sudan embrace their newfound freedom.
Sudan, Remember Us premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in August 2024.
Soundtrack to a Coup D’etat (Congo)
Soundtrack to a Coup D’etat is a documentary film by filmmaker Johan Grimonprez that explores the intersection of jazz and decolonisation during a pivotal and often overlooked moment in Cold War history.
It focuses on how the world’s most influential musicians and political figures became unlikely players on the global stage, and jazz provided a soundtrack to political upheaval and cultural change. The pivotal moment is the 1961 assassination of Congolese leader, Patrice Lumumba.
This film examines the political machinations behind the assassination and premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival as part of the World Documentary Competition, where it was honoured with the Special Jury Award for Cinematic Innovation.
Kismet (Cameroon)
Kismet is Ngang Romanus’ second entry as Cameroon’s official submission for the Academy Awards’ International Feature Film category.
In the film, against a backdrop of cultural divisions and religious tensions fueled by land disputes, Wambo, a 25-year-old Christian woman, challenges societal expectations and prejudices when she falls in love with Ibrahim, a Muslim man.
As their relationship grows, Wambo unexpectedly finds herself thrust into the position of a reluctant mediator between warring factions.
Kismet was released in February 2024.
Dahomey (Senegal)
Directed by French film director and actress, Matti Diop, Dahomey is a documentary which won the Golden Bear Award at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival. Matti provides a dramatised account of 26 royal treasures from the Kingdom of Dahomey (in the modern-day Republic of Benin), which were held in a museum in France.
The film explores how the artefacts were returned from France to Benin and the reactions of the Beninese people.
Dahomey was selected as the Senegalese entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards. Dahomey is streaming on Prime Video.
Everybody Loves Touda (Morocco)
Everybody Loves Touda tells the story of a young aspiring singer who moves to Casablanca in the hopes of gaining recognition as a renowned traditional Moroccan folk artist, and securing a better life for her son.
The film premiered globally in the Cannes Premiere section at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2024. It was also chosen as Morocco’s submission for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.
Nawi (Kenya)
Nawi is Kenya’s 2025 submission to the Oscars for the Best International Film Category. It tells the story of a 13-year-old girl named Nawi who yearns to go to school but instead must face the patriarchal traditions of her community, as she is set to be married off for a substantial dowry in livestock.
Nawi critiques societal norms and the cost of maintaining cultural practices at the expense of personal growth. The film is set in the rural region of Turkana in the northern part of Kenya.
Nawi boasts of a stellar cast that includes Michelle Tiren (Inkabi) and Nyokabi Macharia (Country Queen, Too Early For Birds).
With Difficulty Comes Ease (Nigeria)
With Difficulty Comes Ease is Korede Azeez‘s second feature-length film, following her debut feature, It Blooms in June, also released in 2024. This sophomore closely follows the newly-widowed and pregnant Zainab, as she navigates her loss.
She searches her grief as an expectant mother finding her footing in a conservative society while treading cautiously in her relationship with her mother-in-law, her sister Nene, and her newfound friend and fellow Muslim convert, Rayyan.
With Difficulty Comes Ease is a slow-burn which further highlights Azeez’s knack for the familial. She rides on her streaks of the last two years – her debut being the sci-fi short film, Halima’s Choice, which was part of the 2023 African Folktale, Reimagined anthology. T
he film tries to evoke emotions with its weighty themes, among which include feminism, marriage, widowhood, family, and religion in contemporary Nigerian societies, leaning heavily on the latter.
Whether or not the film fully achieves its goals is open to interpretation, but Azeez’s story enters the canon of African cinema in the way it hits viewers with a wave of nostalgia and a satiated hunger for exceptional storytelling.
With Difficulty Comes Ease is streaming on Prime Video.
A Green Fever (Nigeria)
A Green Fever is screenwriter and director, Taiwo Egunjobi’s third feature film, joining this curation on account of its uniqueness. It is a Blaxploitation-style historical suspense thriller set in the Nigerian military era of the 1980s.
Kunmi Braithwaite (Temilolu Fosudo) finds himself stuck in the middle of nowhere with his sick child, played gracefully by Darasimi Nadi, who is down with a ponderous bout of green fever.
It is the wake of a coup d’etat, and Kunmi takes shelter in the house of Colonel Bashiru (William Benson), so taken in out of the sympathy of the colonel’s mistress, Matilda (Okezie Precious Ruby). Save for the impressionable mistress, every character appears to distrust the other, as the film sets to unravel its twists and ploys.
A Green Fever is commendable for its noir sensibilities, although it does not fully live up to its thrills, almost at the edge of becoming banal.
And even as only the colonel’s character is ever fully actualised, A Green Fever makes up for its shortcomings through its cinematography and set design, which establishes the film in its ‘80s era.
A Green Fever is streaming on Prime Video.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (Nigeria)
At the time of its cinema debut in May, filmmaker, Bolanle Austen-Peter’s Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti perhaps offered a respite in the quality of productions released at the time in Nollywood.
Directed by Austen-Peters and written by Tunde Babalola, the film is a biopic about the eponymous Nigerian activist as she campaigns for the rights of the Egba market women in the face of tyranny and oppression during Nigeria’s colonial era.
She is played with doggedness as a teenager through Iyimide Aluko-Olumoko, at the prime of her activism ever so effervescently by Kehinde Bankole, and matronly in her old age by Joke Silva.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti is exceptional, first as a biopic, giving a thorough insight into Kuti’s activism. This is particularly noteworthy at a time in Nigeria where interest in history is waning, and the apparent negligence of government institutions in documenting pivotal moments in history.
The film also allows not just the titular character to shine, but also gives attention to the other campaigners in the Abeokuta Women’s Union, and Funmilayo’s supportive husband, Rev Isreal Ransome-Kuti, as played delicately by Ibrahim Suleiman.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti is showing on Prime Video.
Kill Boro (Nigeria)
Kill Boro is emerging director, Courage Obayuwana’s directorial feature-length debut, and the fourth in the ‘First Features Project’ set up by veteran filmmakers, Steve Gukas and Dotun Olakunri.
The film follows the juvenile Elijah (Kosisochukwu Ogboruche), who with his mother Boma (Ini-Dima Okojie), suffers his father Boro’s (Philip Asaya), abuse and brutality and seeks out a gang to assassinate him.
Kill Boro was well received by audiences and critics alike – a huge feat for a debut feature – and for good reasons. Even as it explores domestic abuse, Obayuwana’s film, as written by Priye Diri, offers the perspectives of both the abusers and victims, without coming off as sympathisers for perpetrators.
The film is also refreshing with its setting in Port Harcourt, as the filmmaker pays homage to the culture and camaraderie of its residents.
Kill Boro is showing on Prime Video.
Piano Love (South Africa)
Piano Love follows two down-on-their-luck creatives: Hip-Hop rapper Sipho “The Preacher”, and dancer, Lerato.
The struggling creatives, played affably by rapper, Senzo Kwesta Vilakazi and dancer, Bontle Modiselle-Moloi, return to the township of Soweto, where they not only rekindle their love but also contend with local kingpin, Biblos (Peter Mashigo), with a reputation of cunning and violence.
Directed by Mandla Ngcongwane, Piano Love has been described as a passion project, using music and dance to tell a feel-good love story that also captures South Africa’s urban pop-culture sensibilities.
Piano Love is streaming on Netflix.
The Battle for Laikipia (Kenya)
The Battle for Laikipia is a timely documentary, co-directed by filmmakers, Greek Daphne Matziaraki and Kenyan Peter Murimi. It is an expository into the effects of climate change, as tension arises between the Samburu pastoralists and European settlers, when both parties clash over limited resources in Laikipia, amidst Kenya’s sociopolitical landscape and colonial history.
The Battle for Laikipia gives a balanced view of both sides in the conflict, using first-hand interviews and archival materials, as it steers viewers into discomforting positions with its revelations. The documentary was an official selection of the World Cinema Documentary Competition section of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
The Battle for Laikipia premiered in the UK and Irish cinemas in October 2024.
The Weekend (Nigeria)
For an orphan who has finally found love and is stepping into the next chapter of her life, it’s only understandable that Nikiya gets the jitters to meet her soon-to-be inlaws after her engagement with Luc.
However, The Weekend reveals that there could be more to fear with the meeting than just the possibility of being disliked. The Weekend is directed by Daniel Oriahi and written by Egbemawei Dimiyei Sammy, Vanessa Kanu, and Freddie O. Anyaegbunam Jr.
It tells the story of Nikiya who has found a new family in her fiancé, Luc. With only one wish left — to meet her fiance’s parents and extended family — she encourages him to reconnect with his estranged family.
But as Nikiya soon discovers, family baggage can be far more unsettling than she ever imagined. Blending psychological and body horror with expertly timed jump scares, The Weekend maintains a chilling atmosphere of terror lurking just beneath the surface.
The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on June 9, 2024, and its Nigerian premiere on August 30, 2024, at Filmhouse Cinema Landmark in Lagos.
A standout in Nollywood, it won Best Film and Achievement in Cinematography at the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), cementing its place as a cinematic triumph.
Suspicion (Nigeria)
An African superhero is born in Tosin Igho’s Suspicion when Voke (Stan Nze) witnesses crimes committed against two people he loves dearly. Using his inherited “juju” powers, he takes to crime-fighting and becomes an unusual kind of investigator.
Written and directed by Tosin Igho and featuring an impressive cast like Nze, Tina Mba, Omowumi Dada, Uzor Arukwe, Kalu Ikeagwu, and others, Suspicion explores African spirituality from an interesting and rather controversial viewpoint, portraying it as helpful, rather than destructive.
Suspicion is streaming on Prime Video.
At Ease (Nigeria)
Directed by Seun Richards and written by Stephanie Dadet, At Ease directly – yet covertly – offers therapy by bringing to light a commonly overlooked dilemma, trauma and mental health. It tells the gripping story of Major Ifeanyi Agbo (Samuel Asa’ah), a Nigerian Army officer who survives a devastating insurgent bomb attack.
While he physically recovers, Agbo battles severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), haunted by unrelenting nightmares and hallucinations, which eventually causes a rift in his relationship with his family.
At Ease is important in modern discourses about mental health and awareness, as intervention sets Agbo on a challenging path to recovery through therapy, charting his painful but hopeful journey toward healing, redemption, and ease.
At Ease is streaming on Prime Video.
Memories of Love Returned (Uganda)
Memories of Love Returned is a documentary about the legendary Ugandan photographer, Kibaate Aloysius Ssalongo. It serves as a tribute to the late artist, while also telling a compelling story about the complex social dynamics at work in the small village where Ssalongo once lived and worked.
Produced by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Memories of Love Returned has quite an interesting backstory. Mwine first met Ssalongo on April 24th, 2002, when his car broke down in the small town of Mbirizi. While waiting for his vehicle to be repaired, he discovered the small photo studio Ssalongo owned.
Moved by his career-spanning catalogue, Mwine began a 22-year-long journey documenting and exploring Ssalongo’s life and photography, and the profound impact it has had on his life and that of the entire community he documented.
Memories of Love Returned won the Silicon Valley African Film Festival’s ‘Best Documentary Feature’ award and the AFRIFF’s ‘Best Documentary (International) Award’.
Old Righteous Blues (South Africa)
Set in South Africa’s Western Cape, Old Righteous Blues follows a young man’s efforts to heal a community torn apart by a decades-long feud.
His mission is to reunite the Old Righteous Blues Christmas Choir Band, which was divided by a conflict initiated by his father twenty years earlier. The split resulted in rival factions, street battles, and familial discord, leaving the community fractured.
The film explores themes of redemption, brotherhood, and resilience, as the protagonist navigates pain, love, and courage to restore harmony.
Inspired by the region’s Christmas choir traditions, the story was conceived by writer and producer Carol Shore, whose fascination with these bands dates back 25 years.
Praised for its powerful storytelling, the film has been chosen as South Africa’s official entry for ‘Best International Film’ at the 97th Academy Awards by the South African Academy Awards Selection Committee, highlighting its universal appeal and the depth of its narrative.
Where the Heck is My Period? (Nigeria)
Where the Heck is My Period? is a documentary exploring the challenges of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age worldwide.
Produced by Stephanie Coker Aderinokun and directed by Michael Akinrogunde, the film features interviews with 11 Nigerian women from diverse backgrounds who share their experiences with the condition.
The documentary delves into the physical, emotional, and social impacts of PCOS, shedding light on an often misunderstood issue.
Where the Heck is My Period? is streaming on Prime Video.
Frank Njugi is a Kenyan Writer, Culture journalist and Critic who has written on the East African and African culture scene for platforms such as _Debunk Media, Republic Journal, Sinema Focus, Culture Africa, Drummr Africa, The Elephant, Wakilisha Africa, The Moveee, Africa in Dialogue, Afrocritik_ and others. He tweets as @franknjugi.
Sybil Fekurumoh is a writer and editor, with an interest in African lifestyle, pop culture, policies, and technology. She’s passionate about books, film, literature, agriculture, and SDG 4 — Quality Education. Connect with her on Twitter and Instagram at @toqueensaber or email sybilf@afrocritik.com.
Joseph Jonathan is a historian who seeks to understand how film shapes our cultural identity as a people. He believes that history is more about the future than the past. When he’s not writing about film, you can catch him listening to music or discussing politics. He tweets @JosieJp3.
Fejiro Sagua is a writer and film enthusiast who loves diving into the world of movies. She’s always on the lookout for great stories and new films to watch. When she’s not busy writing or watching movies, you can find her reading books, at the gym, creating content, or having interesting conversations with friends, family, or even strangers.