Toronto Pan Afrikan Film Festival Presents: Eyes of Ghana (Exclusive Screening) | TRFMEDIA

Eyes of Ghana: Evening Film Screening at Todmorden Mills Presented by the Toronto Pan African Film Festival In February, the Toronto Pan African Film Festival presented a special screening of Eyes of Ghana at Todmorden Mills, celebrating Ghana’s cinematic history and cultural legacy. The 2025 documentary, directed by Ben Proudfoot, follows legendary cameraman Chris Hesse, the personal cinematographer to Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah, who documented the country’s independence and Africa’s liberation era. When a 1966 coup attempted to destroy Nkrumah’s filmed records, Hesse safeguarded more than 1,300 reels of invaluable footage — a historic archive nearly lost forever. Decades later, he entrusted this legacy to Ghanaian filmmaker Anita Afonu, working to reintroduce these rare images to a new generation. The evening featured: Live Ghanaian drumming before the screening Reflections from Ghanaian Canadian producer Nana Adwoa Frimpong Rare independence-era archival footage A post-screening talk-back with producer Nana Adwoa Frimpong A powerful conversation about storytelling, preservation, and cultural memory Executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, Eyes of Ghana is a love letter to cinema and a testament to the power of archival film to protect history and inspire the future. Film Synopsis Eyes of Ghana (2025) is a powerful documentary directed by two-time Academy Award winner Ben Proudfoot that honours the life and legacy of legendary Ghanaian cinematographer Chris Hesse. Once the personal cameraman to Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, Hesse captured over 1,300 reels of historic footage documenting Ghana’s independence and Africa’s liberation movement. After a 1966 coup threatened to erase this visual history, Hesse secretly preserved the archive. Now in his 90s, he passes his life’s work to young filmmaker Anita Afonu, ensuring that Ghana’s cinematic heritage will inspire future generations. Executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, Eyes of Ghana is a moving tribute to mentorship, memory, and the enduring power of film. Subscribe, like and share! ‪‪@trfmedia.network‬ #EyesOfGhana #TorontoPanAfricanFilmFestival #GhanaCinema #AfricanFilm #DocumentaryFilm #BlackHistory #TIFFDocs #AfricanDiaspora