The Banjo Boys
Produced by Tim Delhaes, Johan Nayar and Neil Nayar
A Documentary
The Story of
Madalitso Band
Drop the needle and hear the sound of Malawi — the music that scored their journey from Lilongwe to the world.
Drop the needle
Vina Vina Malawi
Madalitso Band
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“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
From the Film
Scenes from the road
The Madalitso
Experience
The Banjo Boys documentary, then the band take the stage. An intimate London evening of African music and cinema, in partnership with Earl's Court Film Festival.
Documentary screening
The Banjo Boys
Live concert
Madalitso Band
This event is now sold out. Join the mailing list to hear about future screenings.
Official Trailer
Watch the Trailer
From the streets of Malawi to international stages — see the journey.
About the Film
Produced by Tim Delhaes, Johan Nayar and Neil Nayar
76
Minutes
3+
Continents
5×
Award Winner
The Banjo Boys is a five-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 — a story of resilience, joy, and the transformative power of music. What happens when you change your name from “Tiyese” (we try) to “Madalitso” (blessings).
Awards & Recognition
AWARDS
Winner · 2025
Audience Award
London Breeze Film Festival
Winner · 2026
Jury Award · Documentary
La Femme Independent Film Festival
Winner · 2026
Audience Award · Documentary
La Femme Independent Film Festival
Winner · 2026
Selby Minner Award
Barebones Film Festival, OK
Winner · 2025
Official Selection
BIFA Qualifying · Bournemouth Int'l
On Tour · 2026