Out Of Africa: 2026 Tribeca Film Festival Wraps Up With African Titles Clinching Prizes Across Multiple Categories
African filmmakers scored major wins at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, with titles from Cameroon, Nigeria, Kenya, and beyond earning recognition across the festival’s competitive sections. Cameroonian feature Jail Time Records, directed by Dione Roach and Steve Happi, won Best Documentary Feature in Tribeca’s Documentary Competition. The film also secured the Albert Maysles Award for […]
Black News 
African filmmakers scored major wins at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, with titles from Cameroon, Nigeria, Kenya, and beyond earning recognition across the festival’s competitive sections.
Cameroonian feature Jail Time Records, directed by Dione Roach and Steve Happi, won Best Documentary Feature in Tribeca’s Documentary Competition. The film also secured the Albert Maysles Award for Best New Documentary Director, while its cinematography team, comprising Roach, Happi, and Urberto Rapisardi, received the award for Best Cinematography in a Documentary Feature.
The festival’s Viewpoints Award was clinched by Crocodile, a Nigeria-New Zealand co-production directed by The Critics and Pietra Brettkelly.
In the words of the jury, “This film beautifully captures both the courage and perseverance required to be an artist, illuminating the risks, sacrifices, and unwavering belief it takes to pursue one’s dreams. Through their work, these remarkable young filmmakers remind us that the arts are not simply a means of expression, but a way of living truthfully and authentically in the world. Drawing from both dreams and reality, they created something joyful, inventive, and deeply original, a work that delights the imagination while speaking to the power of creativity itself. What moved us most was the extraordinary maturity, generosity of spirit, and sense of possibility that shines through every frame. In celebrating the transformative power of art, this team crafted a film that inspired, surprised, and filled us with hope.”
One Woman One Bra, a Kenyan-Nigerian co-production directed by Vincho Nchogu and produced by Josh Olaolu, won the Tribeca Audience Award, while the film’s lead actress, Sarah Karei, received a Special Jury Mention in the Viewpoints category.
“This year’s award winners embody the spirit of Tribeca: fearless work that crosses borders, expands the form, and reveals the power of storytelling to uncover humanity in unexpected places,” said Festival Director and SVP of Programming Cara Cusumano. “As we celebrate our 25th year, these artists remind us that powerful stories do more than entertain; they deepen our empathy, broaden our perspective, and bring us closer together.”
The Tribeca Festival, presented by OKX, brings artists and audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, television, music, podcasts, games, and immersive experiences. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is synonymous with creative expression and entertainment. Tribeca champions emerging and established voices, discovers award-winning talent, curates innovative experiences, and introduces new ideas through exclusive premieres, exhibitions, conversations, and live performances.
The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalisation of Lower Manhattan, New York, following the attacks on the World Trade Center.
This year’s winners reflected the global scope of the Festival, with honourees representing countries across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
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