AAAS/FA-74B Introduction to African Art

Broad overview of the history and development of cinema in sub-Saharan Africa. Argues for the connections between Africa’s oral traditions and black African cinematic practices.

First volume to bring together a set of essays that include both African art films centered in French-speaking West Africa and the new Nollywood commercial videos from Nigeria and Ghana.

A study of African filmmaking that links the production of film in the Maghreb (Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco) to former Francophone sub-Saharan African filmmakers (mostly West African). Focuses on three postcolonial periods: the pioneer African filmmakers from the Independence era (1960s to 1980s), the New Millennium group (in the 1990s), and new emergent filmmakers.

1,250 entries provide information on African filmmakers, their training, and the major influences on their work.