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Barack and Michelle Obama to premiere The Eyes of Ghana film
•2 min read•2 sources
The Eyes of Ghana, a documentary executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, is set to premiere in cinemas on October 28, 2026. Produced by Higher Ground Productions in partnership with Breakwater Studios, the film centers on the urgent mission to preserve the visual history of Ghana’s independence era. Directed by two-time Academy Award winner Ben Proudfoot, the project highlights the work of veteran cinematographer Chris Hesse in safeguarding the nation's heritage.
The documentary features the 93-year-old Hesse, who documented the African liberation movement and Ghana’s transition to sovereignty. Throughout his career, Hesse amassed over 1,000 reels of historical footage that now face the threat of degradation. The film follows his dedicated efforts to restore and protect these archives, which serve as an essential record of the political and cultural shifts that shaped modern Ghana and the wider continent.
To enhance the documentary's reach among younger audiences, streaming personality IShowSpeed has joined the project as a partner. The creator stated that he is honored to help bring Hesse’s narrative to a global stage, noting the significance of cultural identity in an increasingly digital world. The film has already received critical recognition, winning the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Hamptons International Film Festival following its initial screening at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
The October 28 release will consist of a special one-night screening in participating theaters across the United States. While dates for the Ghanaian and United Kingdom premieres are yet to be finalized, the production team plans to incorporate accessible screenings for schools to foster historical education. By connecting contemporary viewers with endangered archives, the film aims to ensure that the visual legacy of Ghana’s founders remains a permanent part of the global historical record.
