Streaming superstar IShowSpeed has partnered with Breakwater Studios and Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground to bring Ben Proudfoot’s upcoming documentary “The Eyes of Ghana” to theaters for a one-night-only screening on Oct. 28, Variety can reveal exclusively. Participating exhibitors include Regal, AMC, Cinemark, select theater chains and independent cinemas.
“The Eyes of Ghana,” which premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, follows Ghanaian cinematographer Chris Hesse, who, as his eyesight declines, attempts to rescue more than 1,000 films capturing Africa’s fight for independence in the 1950s and ’60s. The tapes were hidden for decades after the 1996 overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president and a leader of the African liberation movement.
“It is a great honor to be part of ‘The Eyes of Ghana’ and help bring this extraordinary piece of history to
the big screen. I felt a profound connection to Ghana when I visited this year, and learning about Chris
Hesse’s work deepened my understanding of the country and its people,” said IShowSpeed. “His camera
captured the birth of African independence, and his determination to preserve those images has ensured
that future generations can witness it for themselves. I’m humbled by his legacy and proud to help bring
his story to my community.”
IShowSpeed, who’s real name is Darren Watkins Jr., is a Cincinnati native with more than 200 million followers and subscribers across streaming and social media platforms. Known for his high-energy demeanor, his livestream content covers gaming, sports, stunts and travel. He was named to the inaugural TIME100 Creators list and ranked No. 1 on Rolling Stone’s 2025 Most Influential Creators list.
IShowSpeed’s involvement in “The Eyes of Ghana” is just the latest example of digital creators mobilizing their audiences to movie theaters. Back in January, YouTuber Mark Fischbach, aka Markiplier, directed, starred in and self-distributed his sci-fi horror film “Iron Lung.” Not only did his fans call theater chains to encourage them to screen the movie, but they also showed out in droves on release day. The film opened to $17 million and ended its run with $50 million worldwide against a budget of just $3 million.
“Chris Hesse spent more than six decades documenting and safeguarding an extraordinary chapter of
Ghanaian and African history,” stated Ethan Lewis, head of non-fiction at Higher Ground. “Higher Ground is proud to partner with IShowSpeed, Ben Proudfoot and Breakwater Studios and this accomplished team of artists to bring this remarkable story to theaters on Oct. 28th. ‘The Eyes of Ghana’ speaks to the power of film to preserve our collective memory, and to the responsibility we share in making sure these stories reach the next generation.”
In addition to IShowSpeed, the film is produced by Proudfoot, Nana Adwoa Frimpong, Moses Bwayo, Anita Afonu, Brandon Somerhalder, Lewis and Vinnie Malhotra. Executive producers include Barack and Michelle Obama, Sir John Akomfrah, Kofi Amoo-Gottfried, Paula Madison, Dan and Lian Gill, Max Johnson, Jonathan E. Lim, Michael Risley, Josh Rosenberg, David Treatman and Esther Wojcicki.
Tickets and local showtimes are available at TheEyesOfGhana.com. Check out the trailer below.