Must-See African Films

In honor of FESPACO, here are a few films that make the cut.

Must-See African Films - Not too jazzed about anything at the theater or on Netflix? In honor of this year’s Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO in French) in Burkina Faso, check out these African titles from some of the continent’s most famous storytellers. ­— Naeesa Aziz (Photo: SSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images)

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Must-See African Films - Not too jazzed about anything at the theater or on Netflix? In honor of this year’s Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO in French) in Burkina Faso, check out these African titles from some of the continent’s most famous storytellers. ­— Naeesa Aziz (Photo: SSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images)

Black Girl (Senegal) - This classic film by famous Senegalese director Ousmane Sembene explores issues of white cultural dominance on the African continent. (Photo: Filmi Domirev)

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Black Girl (Senegal) - This classic film by famous Senegalese director Ousmane Sembene explores issues of white cultural dominance on the African continent. (Photo: Filmi Domirev)

Tilaï (Burkina Faso) - Forbidden love takes center stage in this award-winning drama set in pre-colonial Africa from director Idrissa Ouedraogo. (Photo: BBC)

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Tilaï (Burkina Faso) - Forbidden love takes center stage in this award-winning drama set in pre-colonial Africa from director Idrissa Ouedraogo. (Photo: BBC)

Drum (South Africa) - Set in 1950s South Africa, director Zola Maseko’s tale about a journalist’s involvement in the anti-apartheid movement stars Taye Diggs and won the Golden Stallion award, FESPACO’s top prize, in 2005. (Photo: Armada Pictures)

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Drum (South Africa) - Set in 1950s South Africa, director Zola Maseko’s tale about a journalist’s involvement in the anti-apartheid movement stars Taye Diggs and won the Golden Stallion award, FESPACO’s top prize, in 2005. (Photo: Armada Pictures)

Viva Riva! (Democratic Republic of Congo) - This Congolese crime thriller by director Djo Tunda Wa Munga will have you on the edge of your seat. (Photo: Beta Cinema)

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Viva Riva! (Democratic Republic of Congo) - This Congolese crime thriller by director Djo Tunda Wa Munga will have you on the edge of your seat. (Photo: Beta Cinema)

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Ezra (Sierra Leone) - Director Newton Aduaka was awarded the Golden Stallion award at FESPACO in 2007 for his portrait of a child soldier. (Photo: Amour Fou Filmproduktion)

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Ezra (Sierra Leone) - Director Newton Aduaka was awarded the Golden Stallion award at FESPACO in 2007 for his portrait of a child soldier. (Photo: Amour Fou Filmproduktion)

Nairobi Half-Life (Kenya) - Director David “Tosh” Gitonga’s tale about a young man who moves to Nairobi in search of money and fame was selected as the Kenyan entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards.(Photo: One Fine Day Films)

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Nairobi Half-Life (Kenya) - Director David “Tosh” Gitonga’s tale about a young man who moves to Nairobi in search of money and fame was selected as the Kenyan entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards.(Photo: One Fine Day Films)

Teza (Ethiopia) - This film by veteran director Haile Gerima won FESPACO’s top award in 2009. Teza follows a young man who returns to Ethiopia after studying abroad in Germany and finds his country in the throes of political turmoil.(Photo: Negod-Gwad Productions)

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Teza (Ethiopia) - This film by veteran director Haile Gerima won FESPACO’s top award in 2009. Teza follows a young man who returns to Ethiopia after studying abroad in Germany and finds his country in the throes of political turmoil.(Photo: Negod-Gwad Productions)

Pegasus (Morrocco) - Director Mouftakir Mohamed’s film about a young woman trying to piece together her identity after she is found on the streets, wounded and with no memories of her past, won the Golden Stallion award at FESPACO in 2011. (Photo: Dreamaker Productions)

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Pegasus (Morrocco) - Director Mouftakir Mohamed’s film about a young woman trying to piece together her identity after she is found on the streets, wounded and with no memories of her past, won the Golden Stallion award at FESPACO in 2011. (Photo: Dreamaker Productions)

Pumzi (Kenya) - If sci-fi is your thing, this film from Kenyan director Wanuri Kahiu takes a stab at envisioning a futuristic Africa, where nature is extinct. (Photo: Inspired Productions)

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Pumzi (Kenya) - If sci-fi is your thing, this film from Kenyan director Wanuri Kahiu takes a stab at envisioning a futuristic Africa, where nature is extinct. (Photo: Inspired Productions)

A Screaming Man (Chad) - This drama from director Mahamat Saleh Haroun tells the somber story about the tough decisions a father and son face in a time of war. (Photo: Pili Films)

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A Screaming Man (Chad) - This drama from director Mahamat Saleh Haroun tells the somber story about the tough decisions a father and son face in a time of war. (Photo: Pili Films)