The Toronto International Film Festival will spotlight a landmark cinematic rediscovery with the world premiere of The Eyes of Ghana. Directed by Canadian filmmaker Ben Proudfoot and backed by Barack and Michelle Obama, the documentary tells the story of Chris Hesse, the 93-year-old Ghanaian cameraman who safeguarded a hidden archive of Africa’s independence era.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced that its 50th anniversary edition will open the celebrated TIFF Docs program with a historic world premiere. The Eyes of Ghana, a feature documentary by Academy Award–winning Canadian director Ben Proudfoot, will bring to light the extraordinary story of Ghanaian cameraman Chris Hesse, whose forgotten archive of over 1,300 films captures the birth of African independence. Adding to its global resonance, the film is executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama through Higher Ground Productions, alongside acclaimed artist-filmmaker John Akomfrah.
This landmark event not only highlights the enduring power of cinema but also reflects TIFF’s long tradition of connecting global stories to Toronto audiences. The premiere screenings, taking place September 4 at TIFF Lightbox and September 5 at Scotiabank Theatre, will feature in-person conversations with the filmmakers and participants.
A forgotten witness to history
Chris Hesse’s life embodies the intersection of art, politics, and resilience. In the 1950s and 1960s, he served as the personal cinematographer to Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president and a towering figure in Africa’s liberation movement. Through his lens, Hesse documented the wave of independence movements sweeping across the continent. Yet following Nkrumah’s ousting in a 1966 coup, Hesse’s work was nearly lost. Rivals ordered the destruction of films that chronicled this revolutionary moment. Against all odds, Hesse preserved more than 1,300 reels, quietly safeguarding them for decades.
Now 93 years old and facing blindness, Hesse entrusts this archive to a new generation. In The Eyes of Ghana, we see him mentor Anita Afonu, a passionate young Ghanaian filmmaker determined to restore and showcase this cinematic legacy. Together, their intergenerational bond anchors the film, transforming it into a meditation on memory, resilience, and cultural inheritance.
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Ben Proudfoot’s cinematic tribute
Director Ben Proudfoot, originally from Halifax and now based in Los Angeles, has earned international acclaim for celebrating overlooked heroes. His films The Queen of Basketball and The Last Repair Shop both won Academy Awards for Best Documentary Short Film, while A Concerto is a Conversation earned an Oscar nomination.
Proudfoot first encountered Hesse through Ghanaian journalist Justice Baidoo, and what began as the idea for a short project soon expanded into his first feature-length documentary in a decade. Teaming with Ugandan filmmaker Moses Bwayo, producer Nana Adwoa Frimpong, and Hesse’s protégé Anita Afonu, Proudfoot crafted a sweeping portrait that is both intimate and historic.
The film also features an evocative score by Oscar-nominated composer Kris Bowers, whose work adds emotional depth to the rediscovery of Hesse’s archive.
The Obamas’ imprint on global storytelling
With Barack and Michelle Obama joining as executive producers, The Eyes of Ghana carries the imprimatur of one of the most influential storytelling platforms of our time. Through Higher Ground Productions, the Obamas have built a reputation for championing projects that amplify underrepresented voices and reframe historical narratives. Their backing ensures that Hesse’s story, and the history of African liberation it preserves, will resonate far beyond TIFF.
For audiences, the film represents more than a portrait of one man’s determination. It is a vital reminder that Africa’s liberation struggles were not only political battles but also cultural revolutions captured through the lens of artists like Chris Hesse. The archive unveiled in this film could reshape understandings of Ghanaian, African, and even global history.
Screening schedule at TIFF 2025
- World Premiere: Thursday, September 4 at 6:30 PM, TIFF Lightbox
- Second Public Screening: Friday, September 5 at 8:45 PM, Scotiabank Theatre
- Press & Industry Screenings: Friday, September 5 at 12 PM, Scotiabank Theatre; Thursday, September 11 at 4:15 PM, Scotiabank Theatre
Filmmakers and participants will be present at the premiere events, adding a rare chance for audiences to engage directly with the people behind this extraordinary cinematic recovery.
The Eyes of Ghana promises to be more than a festival highlight. It is a cinematic homecoming, giving long-overdue recognition to Chris Hesse, a man who filmed history as it unfolded and protected it against erasure. By pairing his story with the energy of younger filmmakers like Anita Afonu and the international platform of TIFF, the film underscores the role of cinema in safeguarding cultural memory.
With the combined vision of Ben Proudfoot, Moses Bwayo, and the Obamas, the film sets out to inspire global audiences and honour the resilience of African voices that refused to be silenced. As TIFF 2025 prepares to open its documentaries program, The Eyes of Ghana stands as both a testament to one man’s courage and a collective invitation to witness the rediscovery of a cinematic treasure that belongs to the world.
