From Hollywood to Nollywood, from British cinema to American television, and from much-loved comedies to the most moving of dramas, black stars have lit up our screens and inspired all of our imaginations. This BFI Compendium uncovers the history of these great black stars of film and television, exploring a legacy that stretches from the long-forgotten figures of the early years of cinema to the global megastars of today, and from the ongoing fight against racism and the prejudice to the flash bulbs of the red carpet.