Film Screening - William Greaves: First World Festival of Black Arts

Watch the official documentary film of one of the most significant and expensive cultural manifestations to take place in the Global South held in Dakar, Senegal in 1966, followed by a discussion and Q&A.

Special event

  • Sunday, 26 March 2023 at V&A South Kensington

  • V&A South Kensington

  • Past event

+44 (0)20 7942 2000

  • V&A South Kensington

    Cromwell Road
    London, SW7 2RL

  • The Hochhauser Auditorium

  • For Members

  • Tickets cost £15.00 - £18.00

    Includes refreshments.

Past Event

Director, producer, actor, and writer William Greaves began his career as a featured actor on Broadway and in motion pictures, earning him over 70 international film festival awards. This screening documents his landmark achievement: the Festival Mondial des Arts Nègres of 1966 (popularly abbreviated to FESMAN). As the first global event to showcase African and African diasporic artists, FESMAN featured approximately 2,000 musicians, dancers, artists, singers, poets, playwrights and intellectuals before an international audience.

The screening will be followed by a special Q&A chaired by film curator, Nadia Denton, in conversation with Africa Fashion curator, Christine Checinska, and project curator ofAfrica Fashion, Elisabeth Murray, where they will explore the lasting influence of Greaves' legacy and the phenomenal festival that took place in Dakar in 66.

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