Black History Film Screenings

Join our mailing list to keep up to date with the latest Black films. Black History Walks curates powerful African diaspora films all year long. Come down to one of our 16 year old Odysseys monthly film and Q&A sessions. BHW was Activist in Residence at UCL Sarah Parker Remond Centre (2021)

Our Black history walks and tours link directly to films as people often want more information after doing a walk .2023 marks 16 years of our monthly African Odysseys film shows. It is the only such programme in the country. Read our book ‘Black History Walks in London Volume 1′ for a brief history of Black film exhibition HERE

Search for ‘African Odysseys’ on this website for our latest film. Watch trailers, read reviews and book your place at venues such as the Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley and the British Film Institute (BFI) in Southbank or sometimes online.

Our film showings are often accompanied by talks, workshops and Q&As. For those seriously into film history our 13 year archive of previously shown films is an excellent resource for fans looking for their next movie on Black history

Traditional african garb
Toussaint on a horse

Black History Walks has over 20 years’ experience managing film exhibitions and talks. The African Odysseys film programme at the British Film Institute is the only one of its kind in the country. No other cinema offers a monthly showing of Black films plus a Q&A session. The programme has proven hugely successful over the last 16 years and has created an impressive archive of general history, film history and recorded Q&As with directors, actors and producers.

You can see some of our recorded post film Q&As on our Youtube page here.

Join our free mailing list to receive notifications about upcoming films and film events in the city.
Black History Walks in London Volume 1 is out now from Jacaranda Books and Audible

Upcoming & Past Films

James Baldwin Plaque Unveiling

Friday 17 May 10am
James Baldwin author, poet and activist is a legendary figure in literature and US Civil Rights history. He marched with Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, debated at Cambridge, argued…
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Bushman (restored from 1971)

Saturday 11th May 2pm
Restored: Bushman + intro with Journey Mercies director Tomisin Adepeju Combining drama and documentary, Bushman follows the fate of a youth, escaping from Civil War in Nigeria and arriving in California at the tail end of…
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Omen Augure plus Q&A with Director Baloji

Friday 26th April 6pm
African Odysseys presents Preview: Omen  This magical realist tale navigates the divide between reality and sorcery, creating a distinctive and often impressionistic portrait of domestic and communal life. Koffi, a young…
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Origin, Ava Duvernay Preview

Monday 4th March 17.50
Preview: Origin Mon 4 Mar 17:50 NFT1 USA 2023. Director Ava DuVernay. With Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Niecy Nash-Betts, Jon Bernthal. 141min. Digital. 12A. A Black Bear Pictures release. Audio Description available.…
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Nikki Giovanni: Going to Mars

Saturday 2nd March 2pm
Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project + Q&A with musician and activist Chardine Taylor-Stone & guests tbc Legendary poet and activist Nikki Giovanni reflects on the trials and achievements…
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Terry Jervis: from Hackney to Hollywood

Saturday 24th February 2pm
Talk with Terry Jervis plus screening of his film ‘Raising Tennis Aces’, the Venus and Serena Williams story Plus online guests: Richard Williams – father and former business manager, and coach…
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Harry Belafonte Season at BFI Southbank

All December 2023
Harry Belafonte: Movies, Race, Defiance @British Film Institute This African Odysseys season celebrates the life and work of the legendary actor, singer, producer and activist. Across a 70-year career in…
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Mami Wata, Special screening plus Q&A

Saturday 18 November 2pm
Preview: Mami Wata + intro & panel discussion with director C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi and producer Oge Obasi and Dr Michelle Asantewa This Sundance winner navigates the conflict between tradition and…
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Ama, an African Voyage of Discovery

Saturday 16th September 4.30pm
+ intro by His Excellency Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Ghana’s High Commissioner and Q&A with actor Georgina Ackerman and director Kwesi Owusu hosted by film lecturer, Imruh Bakari @ the British Film…
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Sembene Season, 33 films @BFI Southbank

Saturday 5th August 2pm
Sembène! + panel discussion Sembene season 33 films throughout August full details at www.bfi.org.uk A comprehensive portrait of Senegalese polymath Ousmane Sembène who helped transform African cinema.Director Samba Gadjigo, Jason…
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Passing Through (2pm) and Wattstax (6.10pm)

Saturday July 22nd 2pm and 6.10pm
Passing Through + intro & Q&A A musician, newly released from prison, searches for his musical mentor and defies showbiz mobsters.Director Larry Clark. Wattstax;  Isaac Hayes, The Staples Singers and…
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Being Blacker

Monday 19 June 2pm
Being Blacker + intro and Q&A with Molly Dineen and Blacker Dread BAFTA-winning filmmaker Molly Dineen returns to the subject of her first documentary, Blacker Dread. Acclaimed documentary filmmaker and…
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Le Chevalier @BFI Southbank (African Odysseys)

Thursday 1st June 6.20pm
Kelvin Harrison Jr. is sensational in this new film inspired by the hidden history of African-French composer Joseph Bologne. Director: Stephen Williams With Kelvin Harrison Jr., Samara Weaving, Lucy Boynton,…
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Abolition Brazil

Saturday 13th May 2pm
Intro by Brazilian MP, Benedita da Silva (pre-recorded) and panel discussion This screening of Zózimo Bulbul’s riveting documentary celebrates 135 years since the abolition of slavery in Brazil. Director:  Zózimo…
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Black Brazil Science Fiction: Executive Order

Saturday 22 April 2pm
A chilling speculative thriller that finds a near-future Brazilian government ethnically cleansing its population through forced migration. Intro & Q&A/message from director Lázaro Ramos ,panel hosted by Victor Fraga, including…
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Reviews of Black History Walks, Tours & Talks

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