BUTTERFLY (AKA PAPILLON) | Algeria

This oil painting-style animation is inspired by the true story of Alfred Nakache, a Jewish-Algerian swimmer who competed at the 1936 Olympics – in Nazi Germany.

• Nominated: Oscars (Animated Short)

Stream on YouTube.

THE DEADLY QUEST FOR GOLD IN SOUTH AFRICA | South Africa

After a government crackdown on illegal mining, hundreds of miners were trapped underground in Shaft 11 for months.

• Shortlisted: One World Media (Short Documentary)
  

Stream on YouTube.

PATIENCE | Senegal

As Moudou attempts to emigrate from Senegal, his patience and resilience are tested. He is sustained by hope for what lies ahead and memories of what came before.

• Winner: Graphite Pencil, D&AD

Stream on YouTube.

DEATH IN DUBAI | Uganda & Diaspora

This true-crime documentary investigates the death of a 23-year-old Ugandan influencer in Dubai, as well as the disturbing online trend #DubaiPortaPotty.

• Winner: Royal Television Society Journalism Award (Current Affairs: International)
  

Stream on YouTube.

AFRICA’S CULTURAL LANDMARKS | Pan-African

These 13 short documentaries reframe the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s African galleries, travelling from Great Zimbabwe to rock-hewn churches in Ethiopia, and from sacred shrines in Nigeria to the Tsodilo Hills in Botswana, nicknamed ‘the Louvre of the desert’ for its 4,500 rock art paintings. 

• Nominated: Webby Awards (Documentary)
  

Watch the trailer on YouTube.

Watch the full series here.

SEARCHING FOR AMANI | Kenya

A 13-year-old aspiring journalist investigates his father’s murder inside one of Kenya’s largest wildlife conservancies: Laikipia.

• Nominated: News & Documentary Emmy Awards (Outstanding Social Issue Documentary)
  

Stream on YouTube.

LILY | Tunisia

A lonely archivist has his life upended by a doll that triggers his conscience.

• Winner: $1 million AI Film Prize from Google and the 1 Billion Followers Summit

Stream on YouTube.

STAMPEDE | Ghana

Rapper Genesis Owusu returned from Australia to Ghana for the first time in 11 years to film this music video, featuring daredevil local motorbike riders.

• Silver: Young Director Award, Cannes Lions.

Stream on YouTube.

IN-BETWEEN | Ethiopia

Omar, a young refugee from Ethiopia, is navigating life in Malta. He lives suspended between two worlds: the home he misses and the one he’s trying to make.

• Winner: On the Cusp, 1.4 Awards
• Shortlisted: Cannes Lions (Casting)

Stream on YouTube.

FLOOD | Nigeria & South Africa

Directed by South African Salomon Ligthelm, Little Simz’ striking black-and-white music video for Flood features Nigerian Obongjayar and South African Moonchild Sanelly in a modern-day fable exploring the tensions between the material and the spiritual.

• Bronze: Clio Awards (Directing)
• Nominated: Video of the Year, MOBO Awards

Stream on YouTube.

Stream Plot Twist Picks’ expanded 20-film playlist of Africa’s 2026 awards contenders on YouTube. 

The post 10 African Films Worth Watching on YouTube Right Now appeared first on Stage and Screen.

The 2026 campaign features a five-part vodcast series profiling five internationally acclaimed actors and filmmakers from Nigeria and South Africa, hosted by leading African podcasters I Said What I Said (Nigeria) and Because We Said So (South Africa).

Speaking about the campaign, Kezia Anim-Addo, Communications Director, Africa, Middle East & Turkey at Meta, said: “For six years, Made by Africa has spotlighted talent from across the continent making a mark globally. This year, film takes centre stage. From Nollywood to South African cinema, African stories are reaching audiences worldwide, and Facebook is at the heart of how people come together around cultural moments like these. This campaign backs the filmmakers driving that momentum.”

The campaign profiles five prominent figures in African cinema:

• Kehinde Bankole (Nigeria) – Two-time AMVCA winner; performed at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre; voiced Disney’s Iwaju; starred in Netflix and Amazon Prime productions.
• Linda Mtoba (South Africa) – Award-winning actress known for Isibaya, The River, and BET’s Queendom; digital entrepreneur and presenter.
• Nomzamo Mbatha (South Africa) – TIME 100 Next honoree, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, and WEF Young Global Leader; starred in Coming 2 America and Shaka iLembe; executive producer and founder of the Nomzamo Lighthouse Foundation.
• Osas Ighodaro (Nigeria) – Two-time AMVCA Best Actress winner; Nigerian-American actress and producer known for The Smart Money Woman and Fela and the Kalakuta Queens; founder of Imuenyan Productions.
• Tobi Bakre (Nigeria) – AMVCA-nominated actor known for Brotherhood and Prime Video’s Gangs of Lagos; one of Nollywood’s fastest-rising leading men.

Each episode explores the talent’s creative journey, global impact, and how they use Facebook to build communities and connect with fans worldwide.

“We’re excited about this partnership and the chance to collaborate with Facebook in celebrating Africa Day with other brilliant African creatives. Being able to spotlight creators with global impact feels incredibly special to us, and we look forward to more partnerships and opportunities to champion African creativity.” – FK Abudu & Jola Ayeye, I Said What I Said

Commenting, Because We Said So duo, Zama Marubelela & Landzy Gama, added: “As young African content creators, we’re passionate about celebrating African excellence, identity, and culture through honest and relatable conversations. Having Nomzamo Mbatha and Linda Mtoba on Because We Said So made this collaboration with Meta even more special, as they both continue to represent Africa on a global stage while sharing authentic African stories with the world. We’re excited to amplify these voices and be part of a campaign that celebrates African talent, creativity, and storytelling on a global scale.”

The campaign also evolves its community challenge, #ShareYourAfrica, inviting creators across lifestyle, fashion, and dance to use Meta AI to celebrate African culture through Reels showcasing the traditions and moments shaping African identity today.

Vodcast snippets will be available on the Meta Africa Facebook page, with full episodes on the I Said What I Said and Because We Said So podcasts, and talent profiles.

The post Facebook Highlights African Cinema in New Africa Day Campaign appeared first on Stage and Screen.