Kneecap is set to hit African cinemas

Rich Peppiatt’s Irish language film Kneecap, the award-winning dramedy set in post-Troubles Belfast about the eponymous rap group, is heading to Africa, after being acquired by international distributor What the Hero Wants (WTHW) in a multi-territory deal, Variety reveals.

The announcement follows highly successful box office runs in Ireland, the US, and the UK, and a global box office in excess of $4 million for the Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara, and DJ Próvaí starring film.

Kneecap is now set for an early December 2024 release across multiple African countries, including South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana, with more to be announced.

According to WTHW, the film’s message of “protecting indigenous languages” and its “anti-colonial sentiment” is something that will resonate with African audiences.

“Acquiring Kneecap for African territories, was an easy decision,” said WTHW co-CEO Aaryan K. Trivedi. “It’s exactly the type of film we not only want to release but watch ourselves. It’s bold, fun, intelligent and with something to say, and we believe what it’s saying is something many African audiences want to hear.”

Additionally, Prime Video announced today that Kneecap would be available to stream in the UK and Ireland from Friday November 15, 2025.

Depicting how the trio became the unlikely figureheads of a civil rights movement to save and revitalise the Irish language, the film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, winning the NEXT Audience Award.

Kneecap went on to be selected as Ireland’s candidate at the 2025 Oscars in the International Feature Film category.