Share
Your SFF
Let the world know what you'll be watching. Don't forget to tag @sydfilmfest!
Share to Story
Sydney Film Festival
Travelling Film Festival
Buy Tickets
Search
We acknowledge Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF are based.
We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

Ousmane Sembène Retrospective

See a retrospective of films by groundbreaking Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembène at the Sydney Film Festival.

One of the most influential filmmakers of all time, Ousmane Sembène, will have his films screened at Sydney Film Festival this June in a stunning retrospective series.

Often regarded as “the father of African cinema” and the creator of the first ever African-language feature film, Sembène ushered in a new wave of African cinema. Sincere, empowering, and visually spectacular, he captured the everyday lives of Senegalese people whilst sharply critiquing the legacy of colonialism in his country.

A huge influence on the filmmakers of today, including Martin Scorsese, Sembène changed world cinema forever. With these films rarely screened, and seldom streamed, this is your only chance to experience his seminal filmography.

  • Sort A–Z
  • Sort by Date
Sat Jun 8 at 12:45pm Art Gallery of New South Wales

Black Girl

Feature The true story of a young Senegalese girl who moves to France to work as a nanny, but is soon treated as a slave. Sembène’s first feature film took him, and African cinema, to international acclaim.
Sat Jun 8 at 12:45pm Art Gallery of New South Wales

Borom Sarret

Short Film Borom Sarret (SFF 2015) is Ousmane Sembène’s debut film, often hailed as one of the most significant short films ever made – and one that paved the way for African cinema.
Sat Jun 8 at 2:30pm Art Gallery of New South Wales

Mandabi

Feature Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Venice Film Festival 1968 and considered the first feature-length film in an African language, Mandabi (SFF 2021) is regarded as one of Sembène’s most significant works.
Sun Jun 9 at 10:15am Art Gallery of New South Wales

EmitaÏ

Feature Set in Sembène’s home territory of Casamance, Emitaï is a deceptively simple story of resistance and rebellion chronicling historical oppression by the French in West Africa.
Sun Jun 9 at 12:30pm Art Gallery of New South Wales

Xala

Feature Xala (SFF 1976) is a brilliantly funny satire set in post-colonial Senegal, displaying Sembène’s scepticism about his country’s new dawn after independence from France.
Mon Jun 10 at 10:15am Art Gallery of New South Wales

Ceddo

Feature Historical epic Ceddo (SFF 1978) remains Ousmane Sembène’s most controversial film, strongly indicting both Islam and Christianity and showcasing the traditional African religion that came before them.
Mon Jun 10 at 10:15am Art Gallery of New South Wales

Tauw

Short Film One of Sembène’s early short films, Tauw tells the story of two brothers in the generation after independence.
Mon Jun 10 at 1:00pm Art Gallery of New South Wales

Guelwaar

Feature A mysterious death triggers familial and societal tension. This razor-sharp satirical drama demonstrates Sembène’s dexterity in crafting richly human stories within deeply complex social discussions.
Sat Jun 15 at 10:30am Art Gallery of New South Wales

Camp De Thiaroye

Feature Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Venice 1988, this uncompromising historical epic tells the story of Senegalese WWII veterans who were betrayed under French colonial rule. Based on true events.
Sun Jun 16 at 10:30am Art Gallery of New South Wales

Moolaadé

Feature An impassioned, uplifting and rousing story about one courageous mother who fights against the practice of genital mutilation.
Sun Jun 16 at 10:30am Art Gallery of New South Wales

Niaye

Short Film Adopted from Sembène’s own novel White Genesis, Niaye is a short film about a 13-year-old girl from a small village whose pregnancy scandalizes her community.

Black Girl

Feature The true story of a young Senegalese girl who moves to France to work as a nanny, but is soon treated as a slave. Sembène’s first feature film took him, and African cinema, to international acclaim.

Borom Sarret

Short Film Borom Sarret (SFF 2015) is Ousmane Sembène’s debut film, often hailed as one of the most significant short films ever made – and one that paved the way for African cinema.

Camp De Thiaroye

Feature Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Venice 1988, this uncompromising historical epic tells the story of Senegalese WWII veterans who were betrayed under French colonial rule. Based on true events.

Ceddo

Feature Historical epic Ceddo (SFF 1978) remains Ousmane Sembène’s most controversial film, strongly indicting both Islam and Christianity and showcasing the traditional African religion that came before them.

EmitaÏ

Feature Set in Sembène’s home territory of Casamance, Emitaï is a deceptively simple story of resistance and rebellion chronicling historical oppression by the French in West Africa.

Guelwaar

Feature A mysterious death triggers familial and societal tension. This razor-sharp satirical drama demonstrates Sembène’s dexterity in crafting richly human stories within deeply complex social discussions.

Mandabi

Feature Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Venice Film Festival 1968 and considered the first feature-length film in an African language, Mandabi (SFF 2021) is regarded as one of Sembène’s most significant works.

Moolaadé

Feature An impassioned, uplifting and rousing story about one courageous mother who fights against the practice of genital mutilation.

Niaye

Short Film Adopted from Sembène’s own novel White Genesis, Niaye is a short film about a 13-year-old girl from a small village whose pregnancy scandalizes her community.

Tauw

Short Film One of Sembène’s early short films, Tauw tells the story of two brothers in the generation after independence.

Xala

Feature Xala (SFF 1976) is a brilliantly funny satire set in post-colonial Senegal, displaying Sembène’s scepticism about his country’s new dawn after independence from France.
Cart
Clear Cart

Your cart is empty.

View over 500 sessions to find the right films and events for you!

Browse In Cinema Program

Check out our list of films showing in your area

Browse Films

Donate Today
Help us bring you the best in cinema worldwide.
Booking Fee
$0
Subtotal
Total
Planner

Your planner helps you schedule your entire SFF experience. It shows sessions you've saved, purchased or added to your cart in a helpful timeline.

Sign in or register to save your planner!

Your planner is empty.

Use your planner to create your own unique SFF Experience

Browse Films & Events

Share
Your SFF
Let the world know what you'll be watching. Don't forget to tag @sydfilmfest!
Select & Share