African cinema has never looked better on paper. From auteurs like Chad’s Mahamat-Saleh Haroun to newcomers like Nigeria’s Olive Nwosu, the continent’s filmmakers are dominating festival lineups from Berlin to Sundance, proving they are as creative as ever. Fresh funding initiatives—including a billion-dollar film fund from the African Export-Import Bank—promise sustained investment in local storytelling. Yet beneath the red-carpet glow, a harsh reality is setting in. Global streamers are retreating, and Canal+ and MultiChoice—the two largest media companies on the continent—recently merged, shrinking the number of buyers. In response, African producers are getting smarter, experimenting with local solutions and playing the long game. Meanwhile, theatrical exhibitions are booming in Nigeria even as they struggle elsewhere, and YouTube stars are thriving.
Variety
