Shirikiana Aina facts for kids
Shirikiana Aina, born on September 9, 1955, is an American filmmaker. She directs, films, produces, and writes movies. Shirikiana was born in Detroit, Michigan. She is part of a group called the LA Film Rebellion. This group includes filmmakers who tell important stories.
Shirikiana started Mypheduh Films, Inc. This company helps share independent films about African cultures and people. She also helped start Negod Gwad Productions. This group supports independent filmmakers. She has taught about writing scripts and making films at Howard University. She is married to film director Haile Gerima.
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Shirikiana Aina's Filmmaking Journey
Shirikiana Aina studied film at Howard University. She earned her Bachelor's degree there. Later, she went to UCLA and got her Master's degree in African Film Studies in 1982.
Early Films and Important Topics
In 1982, Shirikiana made a short documentary called Brick by Brick. This film showed how neighborhoods in Washington D.C. were changing. It looked at how poorer Black communities were affected when new, wealthier people moved in. This process is called gentrification.
In 1993, she helped produce the drama film Sankofa. This movie was recognized at the 43rd Berlin International Film Festival. It was nominated for a special award called the Golden Bear.
Documentaries and African Heritage
Most of Shirikiana Aina's work is in documentary films. These films tell true stories. In 1997, she filmed Through the Door of No Return. This documentary follows her trip to Ghana. She went there to learn about her ancestors' history. The film was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival.
In 1998, she also helped create Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe. This place is in Washington D.C., near Howard University. It is a community space for books and films.
Exploring Pan-Africanism
In 2017, Aina directed Footprints of Pan Africanism. This documentary looks at how Ghana's independence affected political movements worldwide. Pan-Africanism is a movement that supports the unity and strength of people of African descent.
In an interview, Shirikiana Aina shared her thoughts. She said that racism often hurts itself rather than seeing Black people as fully human. Her films often explore these important social topics.
Films by Shirikiana Aina
- Brick by Brick (1982)
- Sankofa (1993)
- Through the Door of No Return (1997)
- Footprints of Pan Africanism (2017)
- Residue (as an actor) (2020)
