Challenging established views and assumptions about traditions and practices of filmmaking in the African diaspora, this three-volume set offers readers a researched critique on black film.

Volume One of this landmark series on African cinema draws together foundational scholarship on its history and evolution. Beginning with the ideological project of colonial film to legitimize the economic exploitation and cultural hegemony of the African continent during imperial rule to its counter-historical formation and theorization. It comprises essays by film scholars and filmmakers alike, among them Roy Armes, Med Hondo, Fèrid Boughedir, Haile Gerima, Oliver Barlet, Teshome Gabriel, and David Murphy, including three distinct dossiers: a timeline of key dates in the history of African cinema; a comprehensive chronicle and account of the contributions by African women in cinema; and a homage and overview of Ousmane Sembène, the "Father" of African cinema.

Contributions by: Michael T. Martin, Gaston Jean-Marie Kaboré, Roy Armes, James E. Genova, Femi Okiremuete Shaka, James Burns, Tom Rice, Odile Goerg, Med Hondo, Haile Gerima, Monique Mbeka Phoba, Clyde R. Taylor, Férid Boughedir, Alexie Tcheuyap, Esiaba Irobi, Stephen A. Zacks, Teshome H. Gabriel, David Murphy, Jude Akudinobi, Maureen N. Eke, Arnold Shepperson, Keyan G. Tomaselli, Paulin Soumanou Vieyra, Boukary Sawadogo, Olivier Barlet, Claude Forest, Samba Gadjigo, Sada Niang, Beti Ellerson