EN: Topowa! Never Give Up
PT: Topowa! Nunca Desistas
(UK, 2020, 83 min)
A musical journey of resilience and hope, that celebrates the power of music to transform lives.
From the dusty dirt roads of Katwe slum to the paved streets of London and the fields of Cheltenham Festival. We follow the Brass For Africa band as they are welcomed to the UK for an unforgettable experience that will transform their lives forever – ‘Topowa! Never give up!’.
Cast & Crew:
Directors: Philip Sansom and Inigo Gilmore
Cinematography: Philip Sansom
Music: Alan Fernie
Editing: Phix and Finbar Kinsella
Sound Design: Bonnie Wild
Colour and VFX: Coffee&TV
Producers: Rupert Sansom
Exec Producers: Zoe Bamber, Jim Trott (Brass For Africa) and Philip Sansom
Production company: PHIX (www.phix.film)
Featuring: Wynton Marsalis
Screenings:
Vegetable Garden at Igreja da Boa Hora – Setúbal, 5 October 2023, 21:30 (Get Involved! session)
Setúbal de Volta HQ – Setúbal, 29 July 2025, 21:30 (Q&A with Philip Sansom)
Pátio da Freguesia – Moita, 1 August 2026, 21:00 (featuring musical animation by local bands)
Why was it selected:
Topowa! is one of the most uplifting films you could ever see. It’s got rhythm, good vibes, talented resilient people, some drama and happy endings. A real story of brave and gifted musicians who overcame numerous obstacles to reach their goals and fulfill their dreams with the help of Brass For Africa, a charity that does incredible work with street children in Uganda.