These movies offer unique perspectives on universal themes while showcasing stunning local landscapes and authentic performances that have earned recognition at prestigious African film awards. As these homegrown productions gain momentum locally and internationally, they signal an exciting new chapter for Zambian storytelling on the global stage.
From critically acclaimed films such as Rungano Nyoni’s I Am Not a Witch and On Becoming a Guinea Fowl to Lawrence Thompson’s Can They See Us?, currently streaming on Netflix, Zambia’s film industry has been growing at a steady pace, simultaneously entertaining and introducing the world to Zambian culture.
But there is more to Zambian homemade films than you thought you knew. Zambian cinema has been making waves locally at film festivals and on local streaming platforms. So, grab the popcorn and laugh out loud, cry your eyes out or bring the drama, with three Zambian films that promise an entertaining time.
TAKE ONE
Take One (2024) is a comedy film directed by Frank Sibbuku, a veteran in Zambia’s film and television industry. It follows what happens when a film academy invites creatives to submit their films for a cash prize of $100 000. A man quits his job to begin making his own movie in hopes of winning the competition, much to the horror of his family.
What follows are slapstick shenanigans as he and his amateur crew try to create a professional movie. Take One (2024) regales viewers with the dangerous situations the characters find themselves in, evolving into pure comedic gold. Clive Mwape shines with a hilarious deadpan delivery in his performance. The crew’s determination to achieve the impossible as a rag-tag team of unskilled filmmakers makes you want to cheer them on throughout their ordeal.
SERVICE TO HEART
Service to Heart is a drama directed by Paul S. Wilo that premiered in March 2024. The film earned recognition with an AMVCA (Africa Magic Viewer's Choice Award) nomination, cementing its place among Africa's notable cinema.
Elisabeth, a mother who has spent eight gruelling years caring for her seriously ill child, faces an unthinkable temptation when her sister suggests euthanasia as a solution. Follow her emotional journey as she struggles to maintain her sanity and love for her child amid the storm of a deteriorating relationship with her husband and both their families.
The film's locations offer breathtaking glimpses of Zambia from perspectives rarely captured on screen. There's an underlying sense of danger lurking around every corner—from those who wish to take Elisabeth's child from her to her fragile mental state that keeps viewers guessing her next move. Hildah Nangoyi delivers a truly heart-wrenching performance as the lead character, embodying a mother's desperation with raw authenticity.
MWIZUKANJI
Mwizukanji, a drama directed by Cosmas Ng'andwe, premiered in June 2024 and is currently streaming on the Inwit app. This powerful film explores themes of grief, accusation, and redemption through distinctly Zambian storytelling.
The story follows Mwizukanji as she navigates the devastating cycle of grief after a failed house burglary claims the lives of her husband and child, leaving her widowed and alone. Her tragedy deepens when her late husband's family accuses her of witchcraft, forcing her to defend herself against unfounded blame. As she battles these accusations, she must also grapple with whether to accept new love from a charming man named Keanan.
The movie claimed victory at the AMVCAs, winning Best Indigenous Language (Southern Africa). Audiences praised the film's unexpected plot twist, with many eagerly anticipating part two, slated for release in October 2025.
These three films represent just a fraction of the exciting filmmaking wave currently making headlines in Zambia. With adequate marketing and financial support during distribution, international audiences will soon discover the compelling stories Zambian filmmakers are telling—and the many more they have yet to share with the world.
