Focusing on new trends in African cinema from the 1990s to today, this book explores the film industry, new cinematic languages and modes of production and film's departure from nationalism and social realism. In this book Manthia Diawara, a renowned scholar on Black cinema, literature, and art brings readers up to date on the exciting changes taking place behind and in front of African cameras. The author examines the relationship between funding and filmmaking; the roles that Pan-Africanism and Negritude play in African cinema; and the Nollywood phenomenon. Contributions by filmmakers, scholars, and producers as well as profiles of thirty important African directors and their films, provide valuable insight into recent developments. In addition, the volume comes with a DVD containing several brief interviews with filmmakers conducted by the author. Scholars, students and anyone interested in cinematic and African cultural studies will find much to discover and celebrate in this authoritative, fascinating look at new trends in African filmmaking.

Author Biography

Manthia Diawara is an African-born scholar based in New York City, where he is a professor of comparative literature and Director of the Institute of African American Affairs at New York University. He has published numerous books on Black culture, film and literature and is founder and editor of Black Renaissance/Renaissance Noire, a review that publishes writing and artwork relating to Africa and the Black Diaspora.