The historical documentary follows veteran Ghanaian cinematographer Chris Hesse, who served as personal cameraman to Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president.
As his eyesight fades, Hesse races against time to rescue more than 1,000 films capturing the continent’s struggle for independence in the 1950s and 60s. Hidden for decades after Nkrumah’s overthrow in a 1966 coup, the archive becomes a bridge between generations as Hesse entrusts young Ghanaian filmmaker Anita Afonu and her classmates with his legacy and a simple charge: “keep on filming.”
Together, they work to digitize the long-hidden archive and organize an emotional public screening at the newly restored Rex outdoor theater in Accra, showcasing historic moments of post-colonial struggles and African independence that had never been seen by the public.
“The Eyes of Ghana” opened the TIFF Docs program at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and had its international premiere in competition at the BFI London Film Festival.
Its honors include the Special Jury Prize and Best Documentary at the Africa International Film Festival in Lagos, Audience Awards at the Hamptons International and Annapolis Film Festivals, and Heartland Film Festival’s Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award.
Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are executive producers and produce films, television series, and podcasts through their media company, Higher Ground Productions. Their major projects include the Oscar-winning documentary “American Factory,” and the historical biopic “Rustin.”
The original score from Academy Award winner Kris Bowers was recorded with the Chineke! Orchestra and Ghanaian musicians at Abbey Road Studios.
The documentary releases in theaters on October 28th.
