THE BANJO BOYS – music documentary
Award-Winning Feature Documentary
When two Malawian street performers meet a British musician, music takes them from the dusty streets of Lilongwe to the world’s biggest stages.
🏆 Festival Awards
- ⭐ Audience Award – London Breeze Film Festival
- ⭐ Jury Award for Documentary – La Femme Independent Film Festival
- ⭐ Audience Award (Documentary) – La Femme Independent Film Festival
- 🎬 Nominated for Best Documentary – London Breeze Film Festival
Johan with Madeleine Casey and Sam Cullis being presented with the Audience Award at London Breeze Film Festival (a BIFA-qualifying festival)
The Story
The Banjo Boys follows the rise of Madalitso Band—Yobu Maligwa and Yosefe Kalekeni—Malawian musicians who built their own instruments: a banjo, a one-stringed babatone, and a foot drum. Once dismissed as madmen for their relentless street performances in Lilongwe, they catch the ear of Neil Nayar, a British musician captivated by Malawi’s vibrant soul.
What begins as a chance meeting ignites an unlikely trio, catapulting them from local streets to the world’s biggest stages—Sauti za Busara in Zanzibar, WOMAD in the UK, and Joshua Tree in California.
Through intimate interviews, electrifying performances, and candid moments of doubt and triumph, The Banjo Boys celebrates music’s ability to uplift, unite, and rewrite destinies against all odds.
Runtime: 76 minutes
Language: English
Completion Date: March 2025
World Premiere: London Breeze Film Festival, October 2025
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From the Director
I first saw Yobu and Yosefe playing a concert in Lyon in 2017, and I was instantly drawn in. Their music had this raw, hypnotic energy, something instinctive that made people stop, listen, and move. Two years later, at WOMAD, I filmed them for the first time, watching how their rhythms pulled in a crowd, turning passersby into fans. That’s when I knew there was a story here—one about music, resilience, and the kind of talent that refuses to be ignored.
This film is personal for me in ways I didn’t expect. In my twenties, I played in electro-rock bands and even busked on the streets of Oxford. My brother Neil and I were in a band together called The Dharma Bums, but creative differences pulled us in separate directions—Neil to Malawi, where he built a life, and me to Bournemouth, where I refocused on filmmaking.
What struck me most was their discipline. Most musicians in their position would have been drawn to the party lifestyle, but they were different. Given the choice, they’d rather rewatch Kung Fu Panda in their hotel room than go out drinking. Their commitment to their craft was unwavering.
More than anything, this film is about the power of music to transcend borders, to defy expectations, and to turn dreams into reality. This isn’t just a documentary—it’s a celebration of the magic that happens when music meets destiny.
— Johan Nayar, Director
The Production
The movie production is a continuation of the way the band has evolved: a grassroots initiative bootstrapped with the help of many individuals that have been captivated by the story as well as sharing a passion for film, media and technology.
The team has been able to obtain small amounts of funding from different sources (including the Near Foundation and AstroDAO) but mostly benefited from voluntary work. While we are seeking further funding, we intend to keep the production lean and most of all a fun experience.
The Team
The vision for The Banjo Boys was brought to life by Johan Nayar, a passionate filmmaker with a keen eye for storytelling and a love for music. Johan’s journey with the band began in 2017 when he first met them at a show in Lyon. It was also a significant reunion, as it was the first time in many years that Johan had seen his brother Neil Nayar, who had been living in Malawi.
In 2019, the band, with Neil, arrived in England for the first time. During this visit, Johan created a short documentary titled Madalitso, capturing the week they spent together. This short film was selected for the Sound Unseen Documentary Festival and served as a proof of concept for the feature-length version of The Banjo Boys.
In September 2021, a chance meeting in Liwonde National Park set the stage for the project’s revival. Neil Nayar met Tim Delhaes, a nomadic tech entrepreneur, and their families quickly became friends. Over beers and shared stories, Neil, Tim, and Johan decided to reignite the documentary project.
Key Contributors:
- Johan Nayar – Director & Editor
- Tim Delhaes – Lead Producer
- Neil Nayar – Band Manager
- Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe – Industry Advisor
- Satesh Mathura – Media & Technology
Johan Nayar’s unwavering dedication and the collaborative spirit of his team have been instrumental in bringing The Banjo Boys to life. Together, they blend music, technology, and storytelling to create a documentary that will resonate with audiences around the world.