In April 1993 the Film Society of Lincoln Center, the African Film Festival, Inc., and The Brooklyn Museum presented Modern Days, Ancient Nights: 30 Years of African Filmmaking, a comprehensive series that clearly filled a considerable void in moviegoers’ experience — this celebration of African cinema sold out more often than not.

A year later, our second successful showcase of this exciting source of filmmaking featured powerful documentaries, more films by women directors, and a striking selection of recent and classic African work. Continuing this important tradition, we present our third chapter in cutting-edge filmmaking from African nations. Please join us in sampling documentaries on city life in the fast lane and the first free South African elections; features on the strain between past and future, tradition and modernization; rites of passage for nations as well as young people; and several programs of short films, including animation.

This program was organized for the Film Society of Lincoln Center by Richard Peña, The Brooklyn Museum by Mark Gore, and the African Film Festival, Inc. by Mahen Bonetti, Amy Empson, Sharan Sklar, Don Webster, and Linda Fiske. Thanks are due Maureen Slattery, Tunde Giwa, Hilary Ney, Nicole Kekeh, Mamadou Niang, Manthia Diawara, Luca Bonetti, Kevin Dugan, Biky Souma, Valerie Woodson, and William C. MacKay.