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Instagram – photography

Instagram – photography

November 23, 2018 By Johan Nayar 0 Uncategorized

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🎬 We’re excited to bring The Banjo Boys (The Story 🎬 We’re excited to bring The Banjo Boys (The Story of Madalitso Band) to Nottingham for a very special screening.This film is the result of an incredible journey, one that began with music on the streets of Malawi and has grown into something far bigger than any of us imagined. It’s a story about resilience, friendship, connection, and the power of music to travel across borders and bring people together.If you’re part of the Malawian, Zambian, or Zimbabwean community in Nottingham, this one is especially for you. A chance to come together, celebrate homegrown talent, and share a story that represents the spirit of Southern Africa on the big screen.We’re proud to be sharing it with you alongside London Breeze Film Festival at the Savoy Cinema, Nottingham.Whether you’ve followed the journey from the start or are discovering it for the first time, we’d love you to join us for what promises to be a really special evening. You'll be joined by @mbb.casey who will be hosting the Q&A with director @johanrnayar📍 Savoy Cinema, Nottingham 🗓 22 April 2026 🕗 20:15 screening + live Q&ACome and experience the story with us.
It was lovely to be out in the Dorset countryside It was lovely to be out in the Dorset countryside this weekend.
The grand finale of The Banjo Boys: On the Road (a The grand finale of The Banjo Boys: On the Road (a spring tour of the film) will be at the Troubadour on June 4, an exclusive evening where the full documentary and the Madalitso Band come together in an immersive showcase, in partnership with Earls Court Film Festival.The Banjo Boys follows Malawian musicians Yobu Maligwa and Yosefe Kalekeni, who left their villages in search of a better life, and British musician Neil Nayar, who left the UK for Malawi in search of the same. Their journey takes them from the streets of Lilongwe to stages across Zanzibar, Europe, and California.Being “on the road” is a state I connect with, ever since leaving home at 19 for India and Nepal. Life is imitating art as the film follows in the band’s footsteps with a small but significant UK tour. There is a real resonance with the hero’s journey, and the idea of bringing the nectar back home.For Yobu and Yosefe, that nectar is tangible. Through their music, they have brought stability and structure to their communities back in Malawi. For Neil, it has meant bringing this mesmerising band back to audiences in the UK. Now the film is beginning to do the same, creating connection, conversation, and shared experience wherever it plays.That feels especially meaningful as the tour reaches my own community in the South West through village halls and community spaces in partnership with FES, while also extending to Bristol and Nottingham with London Breeze, and London with Unrestricted View. I’ll be in Milford on Sea later today and a few other stops along the way. Not to mention a return to Dorset for the Madalitso Band, who will play at Seeker Festival in the Purbecks this July.Special thanks to @gillian.tully.1 @mbb.casey @sam_cullis for supporting our film with their festivals.Join us on the road!
A few shots from the trip out to Lake Como earlier A few shots from the trip out to Lake Como earlier this month. It was fantastic to be able to get in a bit of hiking whilst out in Northern Italy whilst attending Seeyousound (Music Documentary Festival)
I’ll be live on BBC Radio Solent today at 12:10pm I’ll be live on BBC Radio Solent today at 12:10pm talking about The Banjo Boys 🎙️We’ll get into the film’s journey so far — from its Italian premiere 🇮🇹, to winning the Selby Minner Award in Oklahoma 🇺🇸, and taking it on the road across the South West and beyond.If you’re around, tune in live: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_solentAll upcoming screenings + events: banjoboys.com 🎬
Delighted to share that The Banjo Boys has picked Delighted to share that The Banjo Boys has picked up its first international win at the in Muskogee, Oklahoma, receiving the Selby Minner Award.In the photo I’m holding the award — a literal bonehead from Shiron Butterfly.Bare Bones celebrates the filmmakers who wear multiple hats just to get the job done, which is exactly how this film came together.On this project I took on directing, editing, composing and shooting, just to get it over the line.Huge thanks to my two fellow bonehead co-creators:Neil — not only the band’s manager, roadie, chaperone, therapist and sound engineer, but also a composer, producer, narrator, and one of the film’s three central protagonists.Tim — our lead producer, who helped shape shoots, contributed to the edit, and somehow found the money whenever we needed to capture another leg of the journey (all while running a tech company).It was a mad four-day trip out there, but the reception was incredible. The warmth of the audience and the deep love of music really stayed with us.The film even seemed to bring a bit of Malawian weather with it — from 7°C earlier in the week to 33°C by the time we arrived.Learning more about Selby’s life and legacy made the award even more meaningful.Next up: UK screenings — South West tour (Wimborne, Bristol), plus Nottingham and a return to London.Great to catch @chithrajeyeram’s Love, Chaos, Kin, and to reconnect with @gpcii — jamming with local musicians (including some Cherokee players) out in Oklahoma.
Muskogee — we’re screening The Banjo Boys today. Muskogee — we’re screening The Banjo Boys today.From the streets of Lilongwe to stages around the world, this award-winning documentary follows Madalitso Band and their incredible journey through music, resilience, and connection.Join us this afternoon for a special free screening at the public library.Today at 3:15pm Muskogee Public Library Free entry
Whilst in Turin, I ducked out of the city for a ni Whilst in Turin, I ducked out of the city for a night over by Lake Como. Stunning views on a hazy morning over the lake.
From the streets of Lilongwe to stages across the From the streets of Lilongwe to stages across the world, The Banjo Boys follows Madalitso Band — a duo whose handmade instruments and unmistakable sound have taken them further than they ever imagined.What started as street performances has become a journey of music, resilience, and connection, crossing borders and bringing audiences together along the way.After a powerful response at its world premiere at London Breeze Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award, and next stop Bare Bones Film and Music Festival in Oklahoma, the journey continues.This is just the beginning.Watch the trailer now.
Next week we fly to Oklahoma for our first interna Next week we fly to Oklahoma for our first international nomination - Bare Bones Film Festival, now in its 27th year, celebrating films made on tight budgets. Feels like exactly the right place for our little film to land.There's something surreal about heading into banjo country. What most people don't know - and something our executive producer Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe MBE pointed out - is that the word banjo likely has African roots. Some trace it back to Banjul, the capital of The Gambia.In Malawi, any stringed instrument is called a banjo. Which means any player of a stringed instrument is a banjo boy. So not only are Yobu and Yosefe banjo boys - in a way, so are me and my brother Neil.After an incredible time in Turin, it's good to keep moving. Looking forward to catching up with my friend @gpcii too.Oklahoma, here we come!
The Italians taught me a new trick or two along th The Italians taught me a new trick or two along the way. Love learning on the road.Such an incredible audience at Cinema Massimo. It was a great honour to be programmed alongside two other music documentaries celebrating prominent black musicians — We Want the Funk, tracing funk's evolution from its African, soul and jazz roots through James Brown, Parliament Funkadelic, Labelle and Fela Kuti to new wave and hip-hop, and Sun Ra: Do The Impossible (@christineturner ), following the life and music of the visionary jazz pioneer. Both PBS documentaries. Great company to be in.Four hikes in the Alps, and a much needed moment to reconnect with my senses after one of the wettest winters I have known.Hoping to bring Madalitso Band over to Italy sometime soon too.Big thanks to @seeyousoundfestival for having us. And to @enniobruno60, @juanita_apraez, @tentandcamel, @paolocampana, @cris_vis66 @edorrossi and everyone else in the team for making it such a special week.Six years in the making. It's fascinating to see the film follow in the footsteps of its subject, Madalitso Band, as we begin to tour the world. Photo credit: @elisabetta_ghignone
The Banjo Boys had an absolute blast last week in The Banjo Boys had an absolute blast last week in Turin bringing Malawian vibes to this beautiful northern Italian city.Big shout out to @seeyousoundfestival for having us there, it was truly an honour. More to follow...@enniobruno60 was the man with the plan and @juanita_apraez kindly invited us. Cinema Massimo became my spiritual home for the week, whilst the Italian Alps became my cathedral.Many thanks to @tentandcamel @paolocampana @edorrossi and everyone else in the Seeyousound team.
One week till we take the Banjo Boys to Turin. We One week till we take the Banjo Boys to Turin. We are delighted to have been accepted into a long-standing, but very niche festival specialising in music docs, Seeyousound.The still image was a great moment when we were filming Madalitso Band perfoming in Blantyre, in Southern Malawi. The two sound guys simply couldn't resist the music any longer, and took to the stage to impress us with their dance moves. Of all the places I've seen people getting down to Madalitso's grooves, Malawi and Tanzania have certainly been the best.Big shout out to Juanita Apraez Murillo and all the team at @seeyousoundfestival for bringing us over for our Italian premiere.
Great to return to Oxford (online) for the Oxford Great to return to Oxford (online) for the Oxford International Film Festival 2026. The 2026 world tour of the film continues.
A few more shots from @lafemmeiff here with the fo A few more shots from @lafemmeiff here with the founder of all of this @ladymaggiemagica who did a fantastic job at the event.It was also great to attend another screening with mum, who has been a huge supporter of @the_banjoboys and @madalitsoband in every way.Lovely to catch up with @msloriparker and to meet @atiquechoudhury and his mum, who were on great form that evening.Thanks to all the team @riversidestudioslondon for putting on a fantastic screening once again.
Riverside Studios really has been a lucky charm fo Riverside Studios really has been a lucky charm for this film.I’m delighted to share that we returned to Riverside last weekend and were awarded both the Jury Award and the Audience Award for Best Documentary at @lafemmeiffA huge thank you to @ladymaggiemagica and her brilliant team for the care, support, and celebration of the film. It means a great deal to have the work received so warmly by both audiences and jurors.More big news coming very soon.Thanks to everyone who came to the screening, especially our wonderful host @coconovak_authorThanks to all the team especially @timdelhaes @neilnayar @madalitsoband
One of the things I enjoyed most about making the One of the things I enjoyed most about making the Banjo Boys, was travelling far and wide to follow @madalitsoband on their adventures.African skies are built different, and during the rainy season the vastness of the cloud formations can be seen.This is the moment we approached Dar Es Salaam after sailing back from Stonetown in Zanzibar back in 2023.
After our world premiere at London Breeze Film Fes After our world premiere at London Breeze Film Festival, we’re bringing The Banjo Boys back to the same cinema for a special screening as part of La Femme International Film Festival.It feels right to return to the place where the journey began, this time with a new audience and a new chapter for the film.📍 Riverside Studios, London 🗓 24 January ⏰ 8pm🎟 Tickets in bio / link
The trip to New York City and Philadelphia became The trip to New York City and Philadelphia became more than just the North American premiere of The Banjo Boys (about @madalitsoband )It turned into a real chance to reconnect with family and friends (@_pennydavis @deanmihos @seblecreates) Having so many close faces with us for the screening meant a lot.Huge thanks to Sabrina and Aristides Mihos, who went above and beyond with their support and generosity throughout the trip. That level of care around the film really made a difference.ADIFF was the first time sharing a stage with my brother (@neilnayar) in a long while, not really since playing together in The Dharma Bums back in the Oxford days. That was a special moment. 🎶Great to catch up with @warren.malone after all these years. A familiar face from the Oxford music scene.Next up, we bring the film back home. London screening coming up next week. Looking forward to sharing it with a familiar crowd and continuing the journey (link in bio / FEMME20 is the discount code)Photography by @samiiiiines
Just north of Benalmádena lies the quaint village Just north of Benalmádena lies the quaint village of Mijas Pueblo. It's a lovely spot for a morning walk.
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