American streamer iShowSpeed, born Darren Watkins Jr., has joined former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle as a producer of the documentary The Eyes of Ghana. The 90‑minute film, directed by Academy Award winner Ben Proudfoot, chronicles Rev. Dr Chris Tsui Hesse’s decades‑long effort to preserve more than 1,000 reels of footage documenting Ghana’s independence and the wider African liberation movement.
The special one‑night screening will take place across cinemas in the United States and Canada on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, with participating chains including Regal, AMC and Cinemark, as well as selected independent theatres. Breakwater Studios and Higher Ground, the Obamas’ production company, are organising the theatrical release.
iShowSpeed first became involved after a visit to Ghana earlier this year, where he explored his Ghanaian ancestry and was struck by the country’s history. He has since shared the documentary’s trailer with his global audience of over 200 million followers, saying the experience deepened his appreciation of Ghana and its people.
“His camera captured the birth of African independence, and his determination to preserve those images has ensured that future generations can witness it,” iShowSpeed said of Hesse. “I’m humbled by his legacy and proud to help bring his story to my community.”
Hesse, born in Osu, Accra, began his career in 1954 and worked with the Ghana Film Industry Corporation, documenting presidential activities for Nkrumah and later the Congo Crisis. After the 1966 coup, he safeguarded a vast collection of film material that might otherwise have disappeared. In recent years, he has worked with young filmmaker Anita Afonu to restore and make the archive accessible.
The documentary premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and has earned awards at the Africa International Film Festival in Lagos, the Hamptons International and Annapolis Film Festivals, and the Jimmy Stewart Legacy Award at the Heartland Film Festival. It was screened in Ghana on April 17, 2026, sparking discussions about preserving the nation’s audiovisual heritage.
With the October 28 screenings, North American audiences will experience Hesse’s story while renewing attention to the importance of preserving Ghana’s historical film archives. Hesse’s message to young filmmakers remains simple: “Keep on filming.”
