Documentaries on the Afro-European Experience

Photo: Documentary Afro.Germany

Discover a curated collection of documentaries, interviews, and films exploring what it means to be Black in Europe. From the United Kingdom to Russia, these works highlight history, culture, identity, and the ongoing challenges faced by Afro-European communities. Whether you are researching race, migration, or diaspora culture, this list offers a comprehensive starting point to understand Black Europe.

UK

• Black is the New Black – Episode 1 (BBC Documentary, 2016)
  Explores contemporary Black British identity through culture, politics, and everyday life.
  Highlights how younger generations redefine being Black in Britain.
• Creating Home with the Nigerian Community in Peckham, London
  Shows how Nigerian migrants build community in London.
  Focuses on cultural traditions and entrepreneurship.
• Do you call yourself Black British? (2016)
  Young Britons discuss identity as Black, British, or both.
  Explores the intersection of race and nationality in modern Britain.
• Making Waves – A documentary about being Black and British (2015)
  Highlights experiences of Black professionals and creatives in the UK.
  Discusses success, barriers, and representation.
• Black and British: A Forgotten History – First Encounters (BBC Documentary, 2016)
  Historian David Olusoga explores Africans in British history.
  Shows centuries of Black presence in Britain.
• BBC2 Windrush Pilot – Part 1
  Explores the Caribbean Windrush generation’s migration to Britain.
  Focuses on their contributions and integration challenges.

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France

•  Noirs de France, de 1889 à nos jours (2012)
  This major documentary series plunges into a largely untold story, with its dark chapters and moments of light: the story of Black people in France. Spanning 130 years of French history, it shows how the Black population has inherited centuries of struggle and sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom, equality, and fraternity
• Mariannes Noires – Film Trailer (2017)
  Follows seven Black French women discussing identity and belonging.
  Highlights challenges of being Black in contemporary France.
• Ouvrir la Voix / Speak Up (2016)
  Features francophone Black European women sharing personal stories.
  Discusses racism, gender, and societal expectations. 
• Paris Black Night - A musical voyage (1990)
  Paris Black Night (1990) explores the vibrant Black nightlife of Paris in the 1990s, highlighting music, dance, and urban culture. Directed by Benny Malapa and co-produced by Yves Billon, it captures a hidden Paris of African, Caribbean, and American influences 
• Interview with Annouchka De Andrade and Henda Ducados
  Daughters of filmmaker Sarah Maldoror reflect on her cinematic legacy.
  Explores African diaspora storytelling and activism.
• Présence Africaine – 70 years of struggles
  Documents the influential French publishing house Présence Africaine.
  Highlights its role in African intellectual and anti-colonial movements.

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Germany

• Afro.Germany – Being Black and German (DW Documentary, 2017)
  Afro-Germans share personal experiences of race and identity.
  Highlights challenges and achievements of the community.
• Schwarz Rot Gold – Trailer (2015)
  Introduces Afro-German life in contemporary Germany.
  Explores culture, identity, and social representation.
• POLYGLOT – Episode 1: The Job Interview (2015)
  A humorous look at language and cultural barriers in work interviews.
  Highlights everyday misunderstandings and stereotypes.
• Everyday racism in Germany – Annabelle Mandeng (2013)
  Actress Annabelle Mandeng discusses subtle forms of racism in daily life.
  Focuses on the lived experiences of Black Germans.
• Shit some white Germans say to Black Germans (2012)
  A satirical look at common microaggressions faced by Black Germans.
  Highlights everyday racism with humor.
• Die Afro-Deutsche Geschichte – Part 1
  Explores the history of Black people in Germany.
  Covers colonial history, migration, and identity struggles.
• A Brief Look at Afro-German History
  Concise introduction to Afro-German history.
  Highlights colonialism, WWII, and modern activism.

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Netherlands

• #BlackInNL – Episode 3 (2016)
  Focuses on Black Dutch citizens and their experiences.
  Discusses identity, culture, and everyday racism.
• De Zwarte Kant van Oranje (2006) 
  Focuses on Surinamese visual artists and their impact in the Netherlands. It explores how their work is received and compares three generations of artists.
• Independence of Suriname (1975)
  Covers Suriname’s independence from the Netherlands.
  Discusses migration and Dutch-Surinamese community experiences.
• Jimmy van der Lak – Black is Beautiful
  Chronicles the life of celebrated tap dancer and bar tender Jimmy van der Lak.
  Focuses on identity, art, and Black empowerment in the Netherlands.
• Anton de Kom – Black is Beautiful
  Highlights Surinamese activist Anton de Kom.
  Examines anti-colonial struggle and racial justice.

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Spain

• Soy español y soy negro (2017)
  Young Afro-Spaniards discuss identity and belonging.
  Challenges stereotypes about being Spanish and Black.
• Grupo AfroINNOVA – Lucía Asué Mbomio Rubio
  Journalist Lucía Asué Mbomio Rubio talks about race and representation in Spain.
  Explores Afro-Spanish experiences in media and society.
• Gurumbe – Afro-Andalusian Memories (2016)
  Explores the legacy of African slavery in Andalusia.
  Highlights African influence on music and culture.

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Italy

• Being Black in Italy – Afroitalian Souls
  Afro-Italian voices discuss racism, identity, and belonging.
  Highlights challenges faced by second-generation migrants.
• ASMARINA (2015)
  Chronicles Eritrean and Ethiopian communities in Milan.
  Explores migration, culture, and daily life.
• Italy’s first Black minister brushes off racism
  News feature about Cécile Kyenge, Italy’s first Black government minister.
  Covers racism and public reaction.
• Strolling – Italy
  Explores migrant women working in Italy’s streets.
  Highlights social and economic realities.
• Blaxploitalian – 100 Years of Blackness in Italian Cinema
  Explores representation of Black characters in Italian films.
  Traces stereotypes, struggles, and progress.

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Sweden

• Melanin – Where do you come from actually? (2016)
  Afro-Swedes discuss the common question “Where are you really from?”
  Explores belonging and racial identity in Sweden.

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Russia

• A Cross-continental Black Sisterhood (2014)
  Three decades after first meeting in Moscow, a Black Briton, Mari Ali (the eldest daughter of the late boxer Muhammad Ali), and Afro-Russian journalist Yelena Khanga reunite in Los Angeles. They rediscover their sisterhood and share their unique stories across continents.

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More

• Kweli TV – Black European films
  A streaming platform for Black European and diaspora films.
  Features documentaries, series, and independent cinema.

Check the blog for more videos on Black Europe.