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African Film Studies
An Introduction
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Book Presentation:
African Film Studies is an accessible and engaging introduction to African cinemas, showcasing the diverse cinematic expressions across the continent. Bringing African cinemas out of the margins and into mainstream film studies, the book provides a succinct overview of the history, aesthetics, and theory of sub-Saharan African cinematic productions.
Updated throughout, this new edition includes new chapters on Nollywood, Ethiopian cinema, Streaming, and the rise of televisual series, which serve to complement the book’s main themes:
Overview of African cinema(s): Questions assumptions and defines the characteristics of African cinemas across linguistic, geographic, and filmic divides
History of African cinemas: Spans the history of film in Africa from colonial import and ‘appropriation of the gaze’, the rise of Nollywood and local TV series to streaming, as well as building connections with the development of African American cinema
Aesthetics: Introduces new research on previously under-explored aesthetic dimensions such as cinematography, animation, and film music
Theoretical Approaches: Addresses a number of theoretical approaches and critical frameworks developed by scholars in the study of African cinemas
Traditions and practices in African screen media: Features Ethiopian cinema, Nollywood, Local Televisual Series in Burkina Faso and South Africa, and the Streaming rush for Africa
All chapters include case studies, suggestions for further reading, and screening lists to deepen the reader’s knowledge, with no prior knowledge of African cinemas required. Students, teachers, and general film enthusiasts would all benefit from this accessible and engaging book.
About the Author:
Boukary Sawadogo is an Associate Professor of Cinema Studies at the City University of New York’s City College and CUNY Graduate Center. As a specialist in African cinemas, he has published extensively through film reviews, articles, book chapters, and three books. Since 2020, he is the founding director of Harlem African Animation Festival.
See the publisher website: Routledge
> From the same author:
West African Screen Media (2019)
Comedy, TV Series, and Transnationalization
> On a related topic:
Amazigh Cinema (2025)
An Introduction to North African Indigenous Film
Dir. Lucy R McNair and Yahya Laayouni
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