Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), Consulate General of France, Los Angeles, and MoAD present

Virtual Film Screening | William Klein’s Algiers Pan-African Festival

‍In July 1969, William Klein filmed the first Algiers Pan-African Festival. This colossal event spread a feeling of euphoria, exuberance, festivity, and hope for a free and fraternal Africa. The film looks at the political figures of the time, but also at the artists that punctuated this festival, marking Algerian memory forever, including Nina Simone, Archie Shepp, and Miriam Makeba.

Artist Zineb Sedira’s installation Standing Here Wondering Which Way to Go in the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art's (SMoCA) exhibition Voice-Over: Zineb Sedira is inspired by the 1969 Pan-African Festival of Algiers—a key historical event that marked Algeria’s important role in various liberation movements in Africa along with a worldwide 1960s political, anti-imperialist, utopian consciousness—and the eponymous William Klein documentary film of the event.

‍Since this is a virtual event, you will receive detailed information on how to participate once you purchase a ticket. The film will be available to view at your leisure between midnight (MST/AZ) Friday, May 7 to Sunday, May 9 at 11:59 p.m. (MST/AZ).

‍In addition to the Virtual Screening, SMoCA is also presenting a Virtual Artist Talk with Zineb Sedira and independent curator Dr. Natasha Boas, for a special conversation via Zoom. Thursday, May 6, 2021, 6pm (MST/AZ).

This virtual film screening is presented in conjunction with the Museum of African Diaspora, San Francisco and the Consulate General of France, Los Angeles.