For one week every October, a small cinema in Harlem becomes a window onto the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 18th edition of Congo in Harlem was scheduled at the Maysles Documentary Center from 18 to 24 October 2026, with screenings each day.
The series is the flagship event of Congo Week, which remembers lives lost in the country’s long conflict and celebrates its people and potential. This year it was co-presented with Friends of the Congo and True Walker Productions, with support from V-Day.
What was on screen
The week opened on Sunday with Trop c’est trop (Enough Is Enough) and Mulika. Monday brought Métisses: Cinq femmes contre un crime d’Etat. Tuesday paired What We Said to Brussels Airlines, Director’s Notes and Sometimes It Was Beautiful, and Wednesday featured Joy Boy and Taxi Moto.
Thursday turned to the minerals that power the world’s phones and cars, with Tantalum, Ndjimu: Deep Cobalt and Mikuba: Cobalt. Friday was all music with Rumba Royale, and the week closed on Saturday with Congo Boy and a reception.
History, politics, mining and music, all in seven nights: a reminder that Congo’s story is far bigger than the headlines.
