IShowSpeed Joins the Obamas for 'The Eyes of Ghana' as Chris Hesse Races to Save Films Hidden After 1966 Coup

IShowSpeed is backing the US cinema release of The Eyes of Ghana on 28 October, Variety reports. The film follows Chris Hesse's effort to save an archive concealed after Ghana's 1966 coup, with Barack and Michelle Obama among its executive producers.

The documentary premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and centres on more than 1,000 films chronicling Africa's fight for independence. IShowSpeed has partnered with the Obamas' Higher Ground and Breakwater Studios for the one-night-only release.

IShowSpeed Backs a Cameraman's Preservation Effort

Hesse served as personal cameraman to Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president and a leader of the African liberation movement. As his eyesight declines, he is attempting to rescue footage recorded in the 1950s and 1960s.

The documentary recounts how he concealed and protected reels from Nkrumah's enemies, who sought to destroy them. Nkrumah's government was overthrown in a military coup in 1966 while he was on a state visit to China.

The films remained concealed for decades. Directed by Academy Award-winning short film director Ben Proudfoot, the documentary follows Hesse as he uncovers the footage and screens it publicly for the first time in Accra, Ghana's capital.

A Ghana Visit Shaped IShowSpeed's Connection

Explaining his involvement, IShowSpeed linked the project to a visit to Ghana earlier this year.

'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,' IShowSpeed stated.

'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.'

The Cincinnati native, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., produces livestreams covering gaming, sports, stunts and travel. Variety reports that he has more than 200 million followers and subscribers across streaming and social media platforms.

The publication also notes his inclusion in the inaugural TIME100 Creators list and top position on Rolling Stone's 2025 Most Influential Creators list.

The Cinema Release and IShowSpeed's Role

The partnership follows another creator-led cinema release earlier this year. In January, YouTuber Mark Fischbach, known as Markiplier, directed, starred in and self-distributed the science-fiction horror film Iron Lung. His supporters contacted cinema chains to request screenings and turned out on release day.

IShowSpeed is credited as a producer, alongside Proudfoot and collaborators including Nana Adwoa Frimpong, Moses Bwayo and Anita Afonu. Barack and Michelle Obama are executive producers.

Ethan Lewis, Higher Ground's head of non-fiction and another producer, described Hesse's work as a long commitment to recording and protecting history.

'Chris Hesse spent more than six decades documenting and safeguarding an extraordinary chapter of Ghanaian and African history,' Lewis stated.

'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.'

Regal, AMC and Cinemark are among the participating exhibitors, alongside other cinema chains and independent venues.