Love is in the air, and just in time for Valentine’s Day, the first single from the highly anticipated original soundtrack album of the upcoming feature film “EVI†has officially arrived. Titled “All My Love,†the soulful Afrobeat/R&B duet has been released and is now available on all major music streaming platforms worldwide. As an added treat, the official music video featuring scenes from the film has also premiered.
Performed in the film by Dayo and Evi, played by Ibrahim Suleiman and Osas Okonyon, the song’s vocals are delivered by Osas Okonyon and Abbey Wonder. Written by Martin Asogwa (Marzz) and produced by Tolu Obanro (Tyanx), “All My Love†beautifully captures the emotional connection between the two characters.
With tender melodies and heartfelt harmonies, the track explores themes of devotion, trust and the emotional risks lovers take for one another. Vulnerable, romantic and deeply resonant, it sets the perfect tone for the season of love while offering audiences an intimate preview into the emotional world of EVI.
Set for nationwide cinema release on March 27, 2026, “EVI†is produced by Judith Audu, written and directed by Uyoyou Adia, and distributed by FilmOne Entertainment. The film tells the story of a talented but arrogant rising star, Evi, who is forced to rebuild her life and career after losing everything, finding unexpected hope through a troubled talent manager. Music lies at the very heart of Evi’s storytelling, shaping the emotional journeys and growth of its characters.
The film is a Judith Audu Productions project in collaboration with Switch Visuals Productions, Signet Rings Productions and NOI Productions. It is powered by CcHUB in partnership with Africa No Filter and supported by the Gates Foundation.
Something beautiful is happening in African cinema right now, and there's no better time than Pride Month to celebrate it. Filmmakers across the continent are telling queer stories with a boldness and authenticity that's impossible to ignore. From Windhoek to Morocco, these films offer intimate portraits of LGBTQ+ experiences that are both rooted in their cultural contexts and universally resonant.
It's not easy work. Many of these directors and actors are creating space for voices that have long been silenced, often in countries where being openly queer comes with real risks. But they're doing it anyway, crafting everything from swoon-worthy romances to sharp social commentaries that explore how sexuality, tradition, and modern African life intersect.
Here's a list of African-themed queer films OkayAfrica has compiled for you this month.
Valentina - Mozambique/South Africa
Valentina follows the emotional journey of a transgender teenager who flees her hometown in search of safety and the freedom to live authentically. Navigating new environments and fragile relationships, Valentina faces the dual pressures of transphobia and displacement. She is forced to confront the precarity of queer existence in a society that refuses to see her. The film is set between Mozambique and South Africa, touching on intersectional themes of gender, identity, and migration. - Tseliso Monaheng
Where to Watch: Apple TV
14 Years and A Day - Nigeria
In this gut-wrenching story of self-discovery and acceptance, a young queer woman is left feeling adrift and seeking solace after a big, conclusive fight with her partner. Finding herself alone at dinner, this young woman is soon swept into an encounter with a stranger who uproots all she thinks she knows about herself and the security of all she trusts. Co-written and jointly directed by Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim (Ifé) and Ayo Lawson (Nightmare On Broad Street), 14 Years and A Dayis a gripping tale that raises honest questions about self-understanding while offering cherished moments of freedom, even in a country resistant to the varied forms of queerness. The film stars Adunolaoluwa Osilowo, Alexandra Maduwagwu, Fola Francis, and others. - Nelson Chukwu
Where to watch: TBD
Kapana (Namibia)
Kapana is a groundbreaking film, the first Namibian feature to center an openly queer narrative. Set in the bustling streets of Windhoek, Kapana tells the story of George, a closeted working-class man who sells grilled meat (kapana) at a local market, and Simeon, a confident and openly gay professional. When their paths cross, an unexpected romance blossoms, one that challenges both men to confront internalized shame and societal expectations. They also find themselves facing the difficult terrain of vulnerability and trust, especially in a country where being openly queer is still taboo. Kapana is directed by activist and theatre-maker Philippe Talaver. - TM
Where to Watch: YouTube
All The Colours Of The World Are Between Black and White - Nigeria
In All The Colours Of The World Are Between Black and White, two men navigate their growing affection for each other even as life and societal dictates slowly pull them apart. This film, which screened at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival under the Panorama section and was awarded the Teddy Award for best LGBTQ-themed feature film, places a bet on dramatizing only the ordinary. Even though both men are up against a draconian law, they still manage to find space to be, to linger in the moment, just before their lives are changed forever. Written and directed by Babatunde Apalowo (his first ever directorial work), All The Colours stars award-winning actor Tope Tedela (A Soldier’s Story, Silence, Pink Butterfly, Cake), Martha Ehinome Orhiere (Wura, The Origin: Madam Koi-Koi, No Letters For Miss Seemah, Dwindle), Riyo David ( Mikolo, Walking With Shadows) and others. - NC
Where to watch: TBD
The Blue Kaftan (Morocco)
Set in the ancient medina of Salé and directed by Maryam Touzani, The Blue Kaftan is a tender and emotionally complex story of love and identity. Halim, a master kaftan tailor, runs a traditional shop with his wife, Mina. Their quiet, loving routine is disrupted when they hire Youssef, a young apprentice whose presence awakens long-suppressed desires in Halim. As Mina battles illness and the trio grows closer, the film delicately navigates the unspoken tensions between love, duty, and personal truth. - TM
In this gripping film, Director Natasha Ayoo and writer Shishi Wanj pose a compelling question: to what extent will the pursuit of love take us? The story follows Desiree, who will stop at nothing to claim the woman she loves. Don’t Talk To Strangers is dark and startling, juxtaposing queerness with a contemporary tale that is relatable to most modern relationships. - NC
Where to watch: TBD
Kanarie (South Africa)
Kanarie is a bold exploration of queer identity within one of South Africa’s most repressive institutions: The apartheid military. Set during apartheid in 1985, the film follows Johan, a small-town boy with a passion for Boy George and Depeche Mode. Drafted into compulsory military service, he’s assigned to the South African Defence Force choir. As Johan forms bonds with fellow conscripts and begins to fall for one of them, he must also come to terms with the tensions that exist between his sexuality, his faith, and the nationalist ideals that surround him. - TM
Sometimes, life puts us at the center of our most beautiful experiences at the most inconvenient times. That sentiment flows through the stunning film Shall We Meet Tonight. Directed by Wapa Ezeigwe, this story follows two women in Nigeria: one, about to be tied down by the bonds of an arranged marriage, and the other, an elegant seamstress who embarks on an intimate but secretive relationship. It’s a story that revels in stolen moments, revitalizing the thrill and danger of finding love in a forbidden place. The film stars Goodness Emmanuel (The Griot, Eyimofe: This Is My Desire, Come With Me, Night Nurse), Uzoamaka Onuoha (Diiche, Inside Life, Schooled, Stories by Her), and others. - NC
Where to watch: TBD
I Am Not A Witch (Zambia/UK)
Rungano Nyoni’s 2017 satirical drama, while not explicitly a queer narrative, resonates with queer and feminist readings, offering an enlightening perspective on how society views and disciplines difference – whether it be gender non-conformity, disobedience, or any form of otherness. When nine-year-old Shula is accused of witchcraft by her rural Zambian village, she is sent to a government-run witch camp where women live out their days while bound in ribbons. Shula must decide whether to accept her fate or risk everything for freedom. - TM
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Nyame Mma (Children Of God) - Ghana
After Kwamena returns to his hometown Sekondi following the death of his father, we are introduced to the story of a queer man who is confronted with a home that spat him out because of his queerness. Now in his 30s, Kwamena reunites with his estranged lover, Maroof, who, due to societal pressure, is about to marry a woman. The story inNyame Mma (Children of God)centers on this double grief, both for his father and for a love that cannot be rekindled. Dense, poetic, and visually stunning, Nyame Mma is a brilliant directorial effort from writer and filmmakerJoewackle J Kusi. The film stars Kobina Amissah-Sam (Beasts of No Nation, The Burial of Kojo), Papa Osei A Adjei, and others. - NC
With Sabbatical, writer and director Karabo Lediga mines a memory to produce a no-holds-barred critique on the strangers we become once we leave home to establish our own lives. Lesego (played by the impressive Mona Monyane) is on track to become CEO at the financial firm she works for when an investigation threatens to upend her aspirations. She wakes up in her childhood home following a heavy night, and what unfolds is an up-close view of a life becoming undone.
"I had a really invasive surgery while living alone in Joburg. At the time, I didn't have anyone to take care of me post-surgery because I had a six-week recovery. I had to go home to my mom," Lediga tells OkayAfrica, adding that the period felt like a re-examination of her relationship with her mother.
Lesego's mother, Dorothy, played by the decorated, acclaimed Clementine Mosimane, who is nothing like Lediga's mother, fondly holds on to the memories of her daughter as a child. She is confident in the version of Lesego that exists in her head, a version corroded by the passage of time; this is where the conflict arises.
"We have two different cultures now because of apartheid. I had to go and learn Whiteness, and [my mother] worked hard for me to attain that. But I came back home as a foreigner, so I was really interested in examining that generational gap, which I think is very common in the global South, where people are immigrants. However, we're immigrants in our own country when we go to Whiteness and leave our homes," says Lediga.
Over a day, Lesego discovers that she is under investigation at work and that her bank accounts have been frozen. Panic ensues as she tries to undo the damage quickly taking root, leaving her mother confused and in the dark. Lesego decides to lay low for a bit, hoping that the smoke clears.
There were things Lediga was intentional about throughout the film, small details that contribute to the greater story. For instance, Lesego's mother knocks and enters her room while she's still dazed and confused, trying to figure out what is happening. She makes two universally applicable comments — one about unopened curtains and windows, and another about how late in the day it is for her daughter to still be asleep.
"There's a certain respectability that is interesting to me and that a lot of people of my generation and younger break. It's a cause for conflict, which is great for film. I'm also obsessed with nostalgia because it can be neat and romantic. It's how we remember stuff, but it's not always factual," says the director.
Being a black woman on television sets means that Lediga, who has just over two decades of experience as a writer, director, and sometimes actor on South African television classics such as the Pure Monate Show and Bantu Hour, has to consistently watch her own back by paying attention to the slightest detail. She brought this keen eye into Sabbatical, her directorial debut for a full-length feature film.
"I was very deliberate about creating the entire visual deck on my own," continues Lediga. "It's a great opportunity, to be exact, not to try to freestyle too much. It can sometimes put you in a corner, but it's good if you can be malleable. I think it's good to be prepped."
Lediga says that she wanted to distinguish between Lesego's work world, which is plush but cold and unwelcoming, and her home, which is warm and filled with distorted recollections of old events. "Much of it was borrowing from family albums, which I use a lot. Even not being too wide in the frame of the old world. It's almost like going through an album," she says.
The world of independent filmmaking requires an unrepentant attitude, an unshakable self-belief, and an abundance of community. Lediga reached out to this community about her film; her brother Kagiso Lediga's production company, Diprente, took this project on, and regular collaborators such as Loyiso Gola and Chris Forrest.
"The biggest challenge as a South African filmmaker is always casting from the heart, not from the frame. It's risky. I love making these decisions in independent film because it's a different ball game when you have a client, such as a streamer or a broadcaster. I chose who I thought was great for the role, [and] it's a risk I'm proud of," Lediga concludes.
May is gearing up to be an eventful month for African cinema across the continent and diaspora. With Egyptian and Tunisian directors presenting at Cannes, theatrical releases across Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Senegal, plus streaming premieres from Kenya and Tanzania, filmmakers across the continent showcase their talents.
Meanwhile, the New York African Film Festival brings 100 films from Africa and its diaspora to international audiences. Here's OkayAfrica’s guide to what's showing where this month.
North Africa — By Amuna Wagner
Cairo Cinema Days (Egypt)
Until the end of May, downtown Cairo's independent Zawya Cinema invites audiences to enjoy the eighth edition of the Cairo Cinema Days. The program showcases the latest Arab productions across the region to highlight acclaimed works from filmmakers shaping contemporary Arab cinema. One of the Egyptian must-watch films in this year's selection is Laila Abbas' Thank you for banking with us: After finding out that their father left a huge sum of money behind after his death, Mariam and Noura come up with an elaborate scheme to abscond with the money before their brother — who is legally entitled to half the inheritance — finds out about their father's death.
Where to watch: Zawya Cinema Cairo
Fanon (France, Tunisia)
Filmed in Tunisia but set in 1950s Algeria, Fanon is inspired by the life of the revolutionary psychiatrist Frantz Fanon, author of the seminal works "Black Skin, White Masks" and "The Wretched of the Earth." Fanon moved to Algeria when it was still a French colony and dedicated himself to the anti-colonial struggle. Directed by Jean-Claude Flamand Barny and starring Alexandre Bouyer, the film's storyline follows him and his wife Josie as they join Algeria's fight for independence.
Where to watch: Moroccan cinemas and other French-speaking countries in Africa
L'BUZZ (Morocco)
This comedy, directed by and starring Moroccan actor Dimna Bounaylat, tells the story of young people's desire to enter the world of celebrity through social media, by way of showcasing real or fictional talents and taking advantage of any opportunity to make money against the backdrop of a harsh, unstable life.
Where to watch: Moroccan cinemas
East Africa — By Paula Adhis
'The Mommy Club Tanzania' (Tanzania)
The hit South African reality series The Mommy Club expands east with The Mommy Club Tanzania, bringing the franchise's signature glamour and drama to Dar es Salaam. This new chapter follows five influential moms — actress and entrepreneur Rose Ndauka, comedian Pili Kitimtim, brand ambassador Marry Mtemi, humanitarian Riyama Ally, and fashion mogul Mwanahamisi Mziray — as they juggle parenting, power, and prestige in one of East Africa's most vibrant cities.
Where to watch: Showmax, new episodes on Fridays
'MTV Shuga Mashariki' (Kenya)
The iconic MTV Shuga franchise returns to Kenya with MTV Shuga Mashariki, a powerful new season that dives deep into the raw, unfiltered realities of campus life. Set at Enkare University, the series follows a group of students navigating love, betrayal, identity, mental health, and sexuality while balancing family expectations, social media pressures, and economic struggles. A wild night at Club Baze sets off a chain reaction of secrets, heartbreak, and life-altering choices, forcing each character to confront who they are when no one is watching.
With a stellar young cast of rising talent, the vision of well-respected Kenyan directors June Ndinya, Mkaiwawi "Mkay" Mwakaba, andLikarion Wainaina, and production by acclaimed producerReuben Odanga, MTV Shuga Mashariki blends compelling drama with urgent social commentary, tackling issues like consent, sexual health, gender norms, and financial independence.
Where to watch: Citizen TV, BET, and globally on YouTube from May 13.
West Africa — By Nelson C.J
My Mother Is A Witch (Nigeria)
My Mother Is A Witch follows the rupturing of a relationship between a woman and her daughter and the world of misremembering and hurt that follows. After an ailing woman tricks her estranged daughter into returning home to see her, the painful history between them unfurls into a return to the past and its complicated impact on the present. It's a film about memories, moving places, and finding new demons in old places. Set between London and Benin, Nigeria, the film stars Efe Irele (Hey you!, The House of Secrets, Farmer's Bride, 2 Weeks in Lagos), Mercy Aigbe (Ada Omo Daddy, 77 Bullets, Lagos Real Fake Life, Palavah!), Timini Egbuson (Big Love, A Tribe Called Judah, Breaded Life), and others.
Where to watch: Now showing in cinemas
Check-In (Ghana)
Welcome to a day at Adinkra Hotel, a quaint hotel in Ghana, home to a world of hilarious and intriguing stories unfolding over 24 hours. This comedy flick follows the stories of different people who check into the hotel and the various troubles and situations they get into. The film stars Bella Agyeman, Clemento Suarez, Clinton Odoi, Felicia Osei, Fiifi Jefferson Pratt, Gideon Kojo, Priscilla Okpoku Agyeman, and others.
Where to watch: Silverbird Cinema Accra
Timpi Tampa (Senegal)
Adama Bineta Sow's latest film is a startlingly gorgeous satire that makes bold statements on beauty standards and socio-cultural pressures. Timpi Tampa follows a young man whose mother poisons herself after years of using bleaching creams and forcefully lightening her skin. With a sordid view of how punishing Western beauty standards can be, the man enrolls in a beauty pageant disguised as a woman to make a statement. Timpi Tampa is darkly funny, frank about the weight of its subject, and socially aware. The film examines the many ways beauty can be interpreted while training its eye on the cost of making a statement. The film stars Pope Aly Diop, Yacine Sow Dumon, Awa Djiga Kane, Jean Pierre Coly, and others.
Where to watch: Pathé Cinema
Southern Africa — By Tseliso Monaheng
Unseen Season 2 (South Africa)
One of the most streamed shows on the African continent when it debuted two years ago, Unseen is back for an action-packed second season that will leave your seat's edges in tatters. Based on the Turkish series Fatma, the show follows Zenzi (played by Gail Mabalane), an isolated prisoner who must navigate harsh conditions by forging uneasy alliances. Following a betrayal, she escapes prison in search of freedom and vengeance.
Where to watch: Netflix
'Sabbatical (South Africa)
Sabbatical is a film about the emotional cost of success. Lesego, played by Mona Monyane, is a fast-rising executive on track to become CEO at the company she works for. A night out ends up with her back in her mother's place. Dazed, she wakes up to a series of calls and messages from her workplace. There is a scandal that threatens to destroy all that she has worked for. Will she sink or swim? Sabbatical is writer and director Karabo Lediga's debut feature film, and it received rave reviews when it premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in February. Produced by Diprente (Catching Feelings, Matwetwe), the film also stars Clementine Mosimane as Lesego's mother, Doris, and renowned comedian Loyiso Gola, who plays the shrewd detective Percy Mthimkhulu.
The New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) returns for its 32nd edition, running from May 7 under the theme "Fluid Horizons: A Shifting Lens on a Hopeful World." This year's festival celebrates the resilience of African youth and young filmmakers, with 100 African and diaspora films being screened.
The festival opens with Afolabi Olalekan's fast-paced thriller Freedom Way, while Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine's Memories of Love Returned is the centerpiece film. Other noteworthy films include Black Tea by Abderrahmane Sissako, Juju Factory by Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda, and Furu by Fatou Cissé.
The festival closes with "In the Arms of the Mother," a shorts program highlighting films by or about African women, including the world premiere of Kounkou Hoveyda's We Will Be Who We Are and the U.S. premiere of Zoé Cauwet's Le Grand Calao.
Burna Boy, Darkoo, Obongjayar, and Mr Eazi are among the Nigerian artists featured on the official soundtrack of ‘F1: The Movie,’ which is set to be released on June 27, 2025. Produced by Apple Studios and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, the film stars Brad Pitt, DamsonIdris, KerryCondon, and LewisHamilton, among others. Directed by JosephKosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), the movie explores the thrilling world of Formula 1 racing.
The official soundtrack, titled ‘F1: The Movie – The Album,’ was announced along with its debut single ‘Lose My Mind’ by DonToliver featuring DojaCat. Rather than being a traditional film soundtrack, the album serves as a musical extension of the movie, reflecting the high-energy atmosphere and emotional intensity of the Formula 1 world.
Alongside the Nigerian talents, the album also includes contributions from global artists like EdSheeran, Doja Cat, and RoddyRicch, creating a fusion of genres and international sounds.
‘F1: The Movie – The Album’ will be released on the same day as the film.
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