Why is it so hard to see African films?


Hello Reader,

Earlier this week, I sent out a note about how most of us haven't seen as many films from Africa as we have from any other country...

...but I only briefly mentioned why that's the case.

It's not because we're bad international movie lovers. It concerns how the film industry works, how African films go from festival circuit to arthouse cinemas to VOD, and how movies make it onto our radar.

Episode 170: Why is it so hard to see African films?

So today on the podcast, I go deep into why it's so hard to see African films. And I talk about what you can do if you'd like to see more African films.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Listen on your browser

If you'd like to watch one of the best films of the decade, which is also a queer African film, join me inside Reel Ruminators: May 2025 edition.

Happy watching/listening!

Alex


Other ways I can help you:

  1. A plethora of streaming recommendations for a film festival from your couch: Subscribe to the premium monthly newsletter, The Globetrotting Watchlist.
  2. Community and curation: Want to discover a wide range of the very best international films and discuss them with a group of international movie lovers full of intellectual curiosity? Doors are now open. We will watch and discuss an LGBTQ+ film from South Africa by a BIPOC LGBTQ+ filmmaker (who is about to make a splash at Cannes in the same month).
  3. Coaching for Filmmakers: Are you stuck finding the next steps to get your film made, finish your film, or figure out your career moves? I can help you strategize. Reply to this email for details.


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Seventh Row

Seventh Row is a nonprofit Canadian film criticism publication and publishing house. We're dedicated to helping you expand your horizons by curating the best socially progressive films from around the world and helping you think deeply about them. This newsletter is run by Seventh Row (http://seventh-row.com) but features exclusive content not found on the website.

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