The American streamer has joined the film as a producer ahead of its one-night theatrical release across the United States and Canada on October 28.

Accra, Ghana — American streamer IShowSpeed has joined The Eyes of Ghana as a producer, bringing his global influence to a documentary exploring Ghana’s independence history through the work of veteran cinematographer Chris Hesse.

The film, directed by two-time Academy Award winner Ben Proudfoot, tells the story of 93-year-old Hesse, who served as the personal cameraman to Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah.

Barack and Michelle Obama are executive producers of the documentary through their production company, Higher Ground.

IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins, joined the project after visiting Ghana earlier this year, marking a move into documentary film production for the American content creator.

IShowSpeed Backs Documentary on Ghana’s Independence History

IShowSpeed said his visit to Ghana helped him develop a deeper connection to the country’s history and inspired his involvement in the film.

The streamer hopes to use his international audience to introduce younger viewers to the story of Ghana’s independence and the people who documented it.

His involvement brings a new audience to a project centered on preserving historical footage from a defining period in Africa’s political history.

The documentary also connects one of the world’s most recognizable online personalities with a film backed by the Obamas’ production company.

Chris Hesse’s Archive Preserves Ghana’s Liberation Story

At the center of The Eyes of Ghana is Chris Hesse, whose work behind the camera captured important moments in Ghana’s struggle for independence and the wider African liberation movement.

Hesse worked closely with Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, documenting events during the 1950s and 1960s.

Over several decades, he has worked to preserve more than 1,300 reels of historical footage.

The collection contains images of Ghana’s journey to independence and other developments connected to African liberation movements.

According to the film’s official website, Hesse’s archive is among the largest surviving visual records of Ghana’s independence story.

The documentary follows his efforts to safeguard the footage and preserve it for future generations.

The Eyes of Ghana Set for October 28 Cinema Screening

The Eyes of Ghana premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, bringing Hesse’s story to an international audience.

The documentary is scheduled for a special one-night theatrical screening on October 28 at participating cinemas across the United States and Canada.

Directed by Ben Proudfoot and supported by executive producers Barack and Michelle Obama, the film combines historical preservation with the story of a cinematographer whose work documented a pivotal period in Ghana’s history.

For IShowSpeed, the project represents a new chapter beyond livestreaming and online entertainment.

His involvement could introduce Hesse’s decades-old footage to younger audiences who may be unfamiliar with Ghana’s independence struggle and its influence on liberation movements across Africa.