Each year since 2006, the Department of African and African-American Studies, Film & Media Studies and the African Students Association partner to present the African Film Festival to the Washington University and larger Saint Louis communities. Through a variety of genres, the films showcase the latest talent and new directions in cinema while highlighting themes in a variety of African countries. The festival showcases films, less than two years old, that have fared well at international festivals.

Wilmetta Toliver-Diallo, academic coordinator and senior lecturer in African and African-American Studies and assistant dean in the College of Arts & Sciences, founded the festival in fall 2005 in an effort to increase dynamic conversations about the African continent on Washington University’s campus. The festival introduces contemporary artistic production by African artists to American audiences, combating stereotypes. The festival promotes African filmmakers, who have limited access to international distribution.

Chosen films showcase the landscape and diversity on the African continent while presenting very human glimpses into social realities that are compelling and cause further desire for exploration. In each iteration of the festival, there is an attempt to showcase films of different genres as well as to represent a diversity of cultures and countries.