An award-winning music documentary following two Malawian street musicians from the dusty streets of Lilongwe to stages across the world.
"A powerful and moving story of resilience, community and how music and creativity can bring us together and offer us hope."— London Breeze Film Festival · Audience Award
On The Road
Four cities. Director in attendance at every screening.
Director Johan Nayar will be present at all four screenings. Wimborne, Nottingham & Bristol include a post-film Q&A.
The Madalitso
Experience
The Banjo Boys (documentary) + Madalitso Band live
One night. The award-winning documentary — then the band take the stage. An intimate London evening of African music and cinema, in partnership with Earl's Court Film Festival.
About the Film
They met on the streets. The world became their stage.
The Banjo Boys is a four-time award-winning African music documentary following Madalitso Band — Malawian musicians Yobu Maligwa and Yosefe Kalekeni — who hand-built their own instruments and busked the streets of Lilongwe to survive. When British musician Neil Nayar encountered them in Malawi, an unlikely partnership was born that would take them from local street corners to international festival stages across Africa, Europe and the United States.
From Sauti za Busara in Zanzibar to WOMAD in the UK and Joshua Tree in California, their story is one of resilience, joy, and the transformative power of music — and what happens when you change your name from "Tiyese" (we try) to "Madalitso" (blessings).
Other Screenings Worldwide
Check upcoming festival screenings and events around the world.
View Screening ScheduleWatch the Trailer
From the streets of Malawi to international stages — see the journey.