Esther Anderson Day: Recognising 60 years since the first event Race Relations Act 1965

Esther Anderson day is curated by African Odysseys in association with Festival of Black History in New Cross

Esther Anderson is a Jamaican superstar legend of film, photography and music. Smashing barriers in 1960s London this beauty queen turned her hand to deejaying in London clubs, TV presenting and dancing in the 1970s, co starring with Sidney Poitier and hanging out with Harry Belafonte and the Rolling Stones. She was Bob Marley's girlfriend and helped write lyrics for his songs and produce his albums, she then went on to produce the groundbreaking hit film The Harder they Come movies which helped introduce Jamaican music the world. She's Oscar-nominated and won NAACP [National Association for the Advancement of Colored People] award in 1973.

There is much more to her incredible story which can be found out after watching two of her films and having an in-depth Q&A with Dr Kesewa John host of the Festival , Gian Cody co-producer and Dr Michelle Asantewa biographer.

Timetable

Festival of Black history starts at 10am with various worskhops detailsHERE

2pm The Three Dumas (140mins) plus Q&AThe story behind the Count Of Monte Cristo/the Three Musketeers, a dramatised documentary exploring the life and career of Alexandre Dumas. The grandson of an enslaved person, he overcame all the obstacles of prejudice to create the first modern superhero and revolutionise the novel

4.30pm pm Bob Marley Making of a legend plus in depth Q&A

The Festival of Black History, is an all-day event taking place at Goldsmiths on Saturday 6th

Festival goers take part in a range of interactive activities including a mix of practical workshops on how to preserve Black history, how to research your family history, researcher talks, panel discussions, memory workshops and film screenings led by Black history and heritage experts in parallel sessions throughout the day.

A powerful theatre performance, ‘Anatomy of a Black Rebellion,’ a new award-winning play by a local Black Lewisham playwright, followed by a Q&A with the writer, director and actors will close the festival.This is a free event.

Esther Anderson day is an African Odysseys screening. Previously at the BFI Southbank for 17 years, African Odysseys is now hosting films across London due to systemic racism at the BFI which cancelled the popular,monthly programme there. There will be an update at the screening.Full details HERE

Other coming films

60 years of Struggle Black British Civil Rights, film and interview with Professor Gus John HERE
UK Civil Rights, Kung Fu and anti-racist street fighters! Professor Lez Henry HERE
Prince of Peckham university talks HERE
The Black Image, History and artificial intelligence HERE
Black History Helicopter flight, canal cruise, bus tour, walks coming soon from www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk

Save 17 years of Black film history at the BFI, sign petition and add your voice to the 17,000 demanding race equality at the British Film Institute HERE

Bob Marley, Sidney Poitier, Count of Monte Cristo plus Esther Anderson