The Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival (CPH:DOX) has announced its selection of films for this year’e edition of the festival, which will run from March 19 to 30. Seven African films have been selected among the films that will be screened at the film festival in Denmark.
Images de Tunisie, a Tunisia-United Kingdom-France collaboration directed by Younes Ben Slimane. The film is an exploration of the 1940s colonial-era in Tunisia, and weaves together archival footage and personal narratives to create a counter-narrative that challenges the colonialist perspective.
Another film making its way to CPH DOX is Matabeleland, a Zimbabwe-Kenya-Botswana production directed by Nyasha Kadandara. The film tells the story of an immigrant haunted by his father’s unburied spirit, who sets out to break a family curse by confronting the shadow of a forgotten massacre and his own troubled legacy.
Egyptian-Denmark-Saudi Arabia film, 50 Meters, directed by Yomna Khattab is also set to premiere at the festival. This film tells the story of a relatable relationship between an adult daughter and her good-natured father, set against the intimate backdrop of an outdoor swimming pool in Cairo, where they navigate life’s big questions.
How to Build a Library, a Kenyan film, directed by Maia Lekow and Christopher King, is also among the selected films. The film explores the story of two young women in Nairobi who embark on a mission to transform a colonial-era library into a cultural hub.
Egypt-France-Qatar-Saudi Arabia film, The Brink of Dreams, directed by Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir, will be at the festival. The film follows a group of young girls who challenged convention by forming a theater troupe, using the streets as their stage to speak out against violence and demand equal rights in an Egyptian village.
Director Hind Meddeb’s film, Sudan, Remember Us, which is a Tunisia-France-Qatar collaboration, will also be screening at the CPH DOX. The film captures the joy and jubilations of the Sudanese people after the 2019 overthrow of dictator Omar al-Bashir.
Lastly, Kenyan-American film, Victoria, directed by Sam Soko, rounds up the African films selected for this year’s CPH DOX. Victoria follows the story of a woman who finds hope and happiness after escaping an abusive relationship, rediscovering herself in Nairobi as she brings joy to children at birthday parties, crafting balloons and rebuilding her life.
Full list of African films at CPH:DOX 2025
- Images de Tunisie by Younes Ben Slimane – Tunisia/UK/France
- Matabeleland by Nyasha Kadandara – Zimbabwe/Kenya/Botswana
- 50 Meters by Yomna Khattab – Egypt/Denmark/Saudi Arabia
- How to Build a Library by Maia Lekow and Christopher King – Kenya
- The Brink of Dreams by Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir – Egypt/France/Qatar/Saudi Arabia
- Sudan, Remember Us by Hind Meddeb – Tunisia/France/Qatar
- Victoria by Sam Soko – Kenya/USA
