The top 10 countries that produce best movies in Africa are not to be hidden any more; their several film productions are proofs of what make some of these top 10 countries in the first place.
Generally, the African movie production industry has come a long way since the days of low-quality productions with amateur actors. Today, Africa is home to some of the most talented filmmakers and actors in the world, producing movies that not only entertain but also educate and inspire.
In this article, we will be looking at the top 10 countries that produce best movies in Africa by revenue. These countries have become the hub of African cinema, producing a variety of high-quality movies that resonate with both local and international audiences.
Top 10 Countries that Produce Best Movies in Africa
Below are some of the top 10 countries that produce best movies in Africa:
1. Nigeria
Well, with no doubt, the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) is one of the top 10 countries that produce best movies in Africa, if not the first and among the top three in the world. When countries compare, they compare to the likes of Holly wood and Bollywood. Other countries come after these three.
With great storytelling and an abundant supply of movies, the movie industry in Nigeria has shown no signs of stopping since the first movies that opened the scene a few decades back.
Nigeria has employed several new technologies to grow its cinematic view and improve their storytelling. Form directors and filmmakers like Ramsey Noah, and Kunle Afolayan, to the actors like Richard Mofe Damijo and Odunlade Adekola, the movie industry which has been in the section for a while now are growing on a daily basis.
2. Kenya
The film industry in Kenya is a relatively small industry compared to some African industry but it has grown since it’s first movie installations. The first movie produced in Kenya that broke the movie bounds in Africa was the Men Against the Sun which was filmed in 1952. The movie industry is certainly growing and walking into the future of film making with the likes of Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, and Tanzania.
Kenya is a significant player in the African movie industry, producing an average of 500 movies per year. The Kenyan movie industry, popularly known as Riverwood, has gained a reputation for producing movies that address social issues such as corruption, poverty, and HIV/AIDS.
Instead of showing the war-torn area of Africa, the movie showed the beauty in Africa. Although the movie hit a bit of a drag when it was shut down for promoting lesbianism but the director, sued the government and won.
3. South Africa
South Africa is no doubt produces some of the best movies in Africa and in the world. In fact, the industry is one of the most cinematically prolific countries, producing breathtaking Sci-fi and other great movies that tell the African story. I enjoy the manner at which they tell African stories with the western vibe. It’s just fun to sit and watch the south African stories play out. The use of technology in South African films brings them to the top of the list. They just might take over the African movie industry soon.
For South Africa’s greatest movie, I will be picking the Movie, “Long walk to freedom.” In honor of the country’s first elected president, Mandela. The movie tells the story of Mandela’s life with Idris Elba playing the role of Mandela, he rendered such a fantastic portrayal of Mandela and left viewers dazzled. The story was both touching and emotional.
4. Ghana
The Ghanaian movie industry comes second to the Nigerian movie industry. With their constant release of movies that tell awesome stories and cinematic beauty, it only makes sense that it does. Although the Ghana movie industry is no where near the likes of Holly wood, Bollywood, or even Nollywood, which are the most recognized industries in the world, the Ghana movie industry is on a rise. Now called Ghollywood by some, the Ghanaian industry is growing every day with dozens of movies making waves. Although it still works hand in hand with Nollywood and honestly, we enjoy watching them dazzle us with their storytelling and interpretation.
One of the greatest Ghanaian movies in the last decade still remains The Cursed Ones, Nana Obiri-Yeboah, and Maximilian Claussen offers a chilling atmospheric look at witchcraft accusation in West Africa, one that beats The Wicker Man.
Read Also: Most Successful Movie Industry in Africa
5. Zambia
With Africa taking the place of one of the greatest film producers in the world, countries such as Zambia have taken their place in the list of countries to benefit from Africa’s growth. Not only have Zambia seized the opportunity, but it’s also the film industry that has talents that work hard enough for the growth of the Zambian movie industry.
Majority of the films from Zambia and created and produced locally which adds to the economy of the country. One of the greatest Zambian movies ever made is the movie, “I am not a witch.”
The movie offers a distinct story, different from foreign viewers expect from an African story. It’s no wonder the movie made such waves overseas. The movie features a young girl called Shula, who unfortunately was accused of Witchcraft and was taken advantage of by a greedy civil servant who took her on your as a spectacle.
6. Uganda
The Ugandan industry is what you call Africa’s emerging film producer. The industry is known as Ugawood or sometimes referred to as Kinauganda by the locals. Many have claimed that the movie industry is steadily growing and will be the next big thing in Africa. With great storytelling told by Africans, for African, the industry has seen such growth since the production of “Feelings Struggle.” Which was then credited to being the first Ugawood movie.
Although things go a little bit different in Uganda from the likes of Ghana, South Africa, or Nigeria. Viewers go to video halls to watch new movies where they will meet a narrator called Video jokers. These video jokers translate the dialogue and add their own commentary. To be honest, Uganda is one of the top 10 countries that produce best movies in Africa. Our own baby movie industry.
Uganda’s greatest movie yet is still the movie, “Who killed Captain Alex? Some claim this movie is one of the most important African films of the 21st century. The movie is so entertaining with an action-comedy vibe. Although it makes very little sense, it will still leave you laughing till your eyes turn red.
7. Rwanda
Rwanda has been a center of attraction for African movies since it’s the movie hotel Rwanda was made. Although the movie had American stars in and foreign directors, it’s still served as a door for local producers and filmmakers to show off their works to the world.
Since the movie, the Rwandan film industry has been on a rise. With dozens of young creatives passionately bring the stories of Rwandan people to big screens. Although they are yet to be compared to Holly wood, Bollywood, or Nollywood, these young filmmakers in Rwanda are making waves that may just out Rwanda on the film making map soon.
One of the greatest movies out of Rwanda is perhaps still the movie that told the story of how tribalism can ruin nations from its core. Featuring Idris Elba, and other great stars, the movie told a story of a nation which divided amongst itself. With thousands dead from the events that shook Rwanda, the movie reminded the world of the erroneous crimes of certain individuals who instigated the war of tribes.
8. Kenya
The film industry in Kenya is a relatively small industry compared to some African industry but it has grown since it’s first movie installations. The first movie produced in Kenya that broke the movie bounds in Africa was the Men Against the Sun which was filmed in 1952. The movie industry is certainly growing and walking into the future of film making with the likes of Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, and Tanzania.
Kenya is a significant player in the African movie industry, producing an average of 500 movies per year. The Kenyan movie industry, popularly known as Riverwood, has gained a reputation for producing movies that address social issues such as corruption, poverty, and HIV/AIDS.
Instead of showing the war-torn area of Africa, the movie showed the beauty in Africa. Although the movie hit a bit of a drag when it was shut down for promoting lesbianism but the director, sued the government and won.
9. Mozambique
In the early1970s through the 80s the Mozambican cinema produced more than 500 16mm and 35mm films, mainly documentaries and newsreels. With hundreds of technicians trained the cinema grew and a unique post-colonial vision was created for Africa. However, towards the end of that decade, the film industry in Mozambique experienced some setbacks that out a little bit of a drag in their ability to produce more films and show them in Cinemas.
Thankfully, the industry has now experienced a reborn and is now growing by the day. It enters the list of too ten because of its effort to keep pushing despite several setbacks.
One of Mozambique’s greatest films is Terra Sonâmbula which tells the story of a boy in the Mozambique civil war. The young boy, with the aid of an old man with a diary, tries to search for his mother. The film tells the story of war and conflict mostly depicted in African classics but with a different twist. It tells the story of war and conflict from the eyes of a desperate young boy, searching for his mother.
10. Tanzania
The Tanzanian film industry also referred to as Swahiliwood, gotten from the official Tanzania language, Swahili was established around 2001. A bit of a latecomer into the game.
Find were first produced with low budgets and with short schedules and camcorders these movies are colloquially called “Bongo films, ” mass-produced in DVDs. However, by 2011, these movies got produced on a more regular basis with few in higher quality. With time, some movies with high quality began to feature in Cinemas.
One of Tanzania’s greatest movies of all time is the movie, Maangamizi: The Ancient One. The movie tells the story of an African American doctor who decides to take a trip to her boyfriend’s home country. There, she met a lady who claims her hallucinations or visions connect her to a mysterious spirit guide.
