Congo Boy (Film Africa)

CONGO BOY, follows the extraordinary journey of 17-year-old Robert in Bangui, Central African Republic, where civil war has turned everyday life into a struggle for survival. When his parents are imprisoned, Robert becomes the sole caregiver for his four younger siblings, balancing the responsibilities of family, school, and odd jobs. Despite overwhelming hardship and uncertainty, he refuses to abandon his dream of becoming a musician, finding strength and hope on the concert stage as he fights to build a future beyond conflict.

Bangui, Central African Republic. 17 year-old Robert dreams of a career in music, but civil war is tearing the country apart. When both his parents are thrown into prison, he is left to look after his four younger siblings on his own, juggling daily life, odd jobs, school exams and concert stages, determined to follow his dream.

Film Africa 2026, the Royal African Society’s annual celebration of African cinema, returns to London from 23 October to 1 November 2026, bringing together a vibrant selection of new voices, established filmmakers and essential works from across Africa and its diasporas.

Opening and closing at BFI Southbank, the festival will present films and events at venues across London and beyond, including the Rio Cinema, The Lexi Cinema, Ebonylife Cinema, Cine Lumiere, Riverside Studios, Watershed in Bristol and Plymouth Arts Cinema. The programme spans contemporary features, documentaries and shorts, alongside special retrospectives and conversations that explore the histories, experiences and creative possibilities of African cinema.

Among the festival highlights is a special screening and conversation celebrating the work of Tunisian filmmaker, critic, historian and scholar Ferid Boughedir at the Cine Lumiere. His pioneering documentaries Caméra d’Afrique and Caméra Arabe remain landmark works in the study of African and Arab cinemas, combining historical documentation with Boughedir’s distinctive critical perspective.