An outspoken and passionate activist, actress Sonia Rolland is starring in a new film,(out now) "Desordes," about a couple's relationship which becomes unraveled because of the husband's former student.

Afro-Italian rapper Valentino Ag, 24, may like creating music with popular themes and hip beats but he balances that with social consciousness.

The UK's black stars are succeeding at the American box office - but are they working there because some parts offered in the UK are off limits, while others play to stereotypes?

The American-born singer Elisabeth Welch is to be commemorated with an English Heritage blue plaque in southwest London. She is the second black woman to be honoured with a blue plaque in London.

Acclaimed French actress Aissa Maiga's directorial debut "Il faut quitter Bamako," (We've Got to Leave Bamako) is one of the 12 projects selected for Switzerland's Locarno Film Festival which runs Aug. 4-7.

Senegalese director Moussa Toure's film, "La Pirogue," " (trailer in French) shows the hellish conditions endured by illegal immigrants smuggled from Africa to Europe every year.

The film, Red Tails, tells of an all-black US squadron overcoming prejudice at home to fight on the front line. But they were not the first. Eugene Bullard flew with the French in World I - after first fleeing the US to Scotland.

Faced with British TV's indifference to black shows, young writers and directors, like Angie Le Mar with her show, The Ryan Sisters, are taking their talents to the web.

Dubbed Africa's Oprah Winfrey, UK-born and raised, Mo Abuda is set to launch her own network, after years as host of a successful daily talk show in Nigeria, "Moments with Mo."

Breakthrough singer Emeli Sande talks growing up in Scotland and finding her identity through music.

Author Zadie Smith's new book NW focuses on her multicultural neighborhood in north west London. Listen to and read an exclusive excerpt here.

Despite 22 years in Austria, Dominican-born artist Pauline Marcelle still considers herself Caribbean. And this is reflected in her work which she says examines issues in a black context. Check calendar for details of her upcoming exhibition.

Austria-based filmmaker Angela Kafwanka Amaichigh tackles issues in her native Zambia in her first film, "Oh My Children."

English composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor is not a household name. Although, during his lifetime, he was one of the most famous composers in the U.K. and America.

French author Marie NDiaye has been named a finalist for the Man Booker International Prize. If she wins she will join literary greats like Nigeria's Chinua Achebe.

Nominated for the César Awards Rengaine is the story of a young North African woman in Paris who angers her family by getting engaged to a black French man.

The multi-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer Leona Lewis talks to Matthew Stadlen about fame, keeping her private life private, how her songs come about, and more.

The film adaptation of France-based author Marguerite Abouet's worldwide sensation, popular graphic novel series, Aya de Yopougon will be released in France in July. See trailer here (in French)

Thandie Newton is starring as an undercover cop on a new U.S. TV show, Rogue, who takes on a gangster after her son dies in a suspicious drive-by shooting. Also discusses her new film Half a Yellow Sun.

Daniel Adomako, a 21-year-old Ghanaian-born Italian wowed the judges and audience, winning "Italy's Got Talent" recently. See his performance here.

Scottish singer Emeli Sande has beaten a record set by The Beatles for the most consecutive weeks in the UK's top 10-chart for a debut album, "Our Version of Events." Listen to album sampler here.

Set in a small town in southern Italy, "A Chjàna" begins in the middle of the most significant race riot in Italian history in Rosorno in January 2010. The film follows two Senegalese immigrants, as they try to escape from the chaos and violence of the riot.

Mariette Monpierre's debut feature film "Le Bonheur d'Elza" tells the tale of a young French graduate who returns to her birthplace in Guadeloupe to find the father she barely remembers. (In French.)

An interview with Eritrean-Italian actress Lula Teclehaimanot star of the thriller "Ainom" which won top awards at China's equivalent of the Oscars - The Golden Rooster & Hundred Flowers Film Festival.

The focus of French-Caribbean filmmaker Mariette Monpierre's first feature film, Elza is very close to home.

The BBC's Mixed Britannia series, presented by George Alagiah, charts the history of mixed race Britain from 1910 to the present day. Watch the trailer here.

The 19th century Afro-Polish-born virtuoso violinist, George Polgreen Bridgetower, is the subject of a new film Sonata Mulattica.

As an actor in Lost, he was watched worldwide. As a child, he was a 'black Oliver Twist,' farmed out for fostering to a white family. Now Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is making a film of his extraordinary life story.

German pop star Cassandra Steen talks about her influences, choosing to sing in German - her father is African-American and her mother German - in this revealing interview with segments of her performing.

Meet rising UK opera star Abigail Kelly who making waves in the world of classical music. Listen to her music here.

An interview with UK actress Zawe Ashton who stars in the provocation new film "Dreams of a Life, about a young woman who lays dead and forgotten in her flat for three years. Watch trailer here too.

French-Senegalese director Dyana Gaye, (shown in a 2009 interview) is known for her short film, Saint Louis Blues. Now she is making her feature film directorial debut with Des Etoiles (The Stars) in December.

Novelist Caryl Phillips came from the Caribbean to the UK in 1958 and grew up in Leeds, Yorkshire - in a Britain where racism was openly expressed.

British actress and filmmaker Juliet Ellis's "Bit By Bit" tells the story of Aidan, a petty gangster in the north of England who is forced to look more deeply at the consequences of his lifestyle when his 12-year-old daughter comes to live with him. Help finance the project here.

Director discusses his African diaspora film Cleophas, a Burkinabe and co-director of "Be Ye Ka Ya", talks about his Italian-language documentary on the return of Africans to their homeland after living in Europe and those who stayed behind.

A profile of British/Zambian filmmaker Rungano Nyoni. Her last film (a short), Mwansa The Great, is the story of a an eight-year-old boy who aspires to be a hero and embarks upon a journey to prove his greatness - with unexpected consequences.

British singer and songwriter Dereck Rose will be the first to admit that his musical journey has been a long and winding one. It has taken him from the Caribbean to Europe to Israel and the

Greg "Mr. Gee" Sekweyama, a critically acclaimed British poet, is a major force in popularizing the art form. He talks about his start in London, why he thinks spoken word works for every occasion and his favorite artists. Check calendar for his March 30th London show.

MP David Lammy's new book, "Out of the Ashes; Britain After the Riots," talks about growing up as a first generation Brit in Tottenham, an inner city London neighbourhood he would later represent and watch burn during the July 2011 riots. An extract and interview here.

Newcomer James Howson has made history as the first black actor to play Heathcliff in the new movie Wuthering Heights. He is believed to be the first non-white actor to star in the role in any screen adaptation of the Emily Bronte novel. The film premieres at the Venice Film Festival in September.

Afro-Italian writer Igiaba Scego who is of Somali origin writes about issues affecting Italians of African descent. In this interview she discusses the perceptions of Africa and Africans in Italy. (In Italian with English subtitles)

UK poet and comedienne Kat Francois uses humour to discuss everything from her Caribbean roots to police brutality. Her London show, "Kat's Got Your Tongue," is proving that audiences want to hear what she's got to say.

Brit actress Wunmi Mosaku stars in the powerful film "I Am Slave," a thriller about the slave trade in present-day London and one woman's fight for freedom. The film was released on DVD last week.

Szjerdene is a young, upcoming jazz singer whose sweet melodies are winning fans all over the UK. Meet her and her music here.

Angolan-born actor Hoji Fortuna immigrated to Portugal as a teen. However these days he is making waves in the American movie scene. He is interviewed here on CNN.

Afro-Dutch soul singer Ntjam Rosie has been nominated for the Netherlands Edison Award (like the American Grammys). In this interview she talks about how she got started and her influences. Also check out the new single "Morning Glow" from her album "Elle."

French model turned singer Imany is a fan favorite. Her first album hit the number one spot on iTunes in the first five days of its release without any radio or TV play. Check out her single, "You Will Never Know," here.

Singer, actress, choreographer and writer, Nigerian-born Sonia Aimy masterfully blends the sounds of ancestral African pop with new, innovative sounds. Her performances all over her adopted home of Italy is helping to create a new Nigerian experience in the country.

"Colour Bar," is the documentary story of an Afro-Belgian man's struggle to find his place both in Belgium where he was born and in his mother's birthplace Congo. Watch a trailer here.

Swooni is the story of 24 hours at a Belgian hotel. Among the characters is Joyeux, a young African refugee hiding in the hotel from the police. Watch the trailer (Flemish with English subtitles) for the newly-released film here.

Meet The Adebanjos is a new comedy sitcom about a Nigerian -British Family living in south London. No word yet on the TV station where it will air, but it is scheduled to be shown in the UK, Africa and South America. Meet the family here.

Meet Malian-born, Paris resident songwriter and fashion blogger, Inna Modja. A rising star on the French music scene, she celebrates her African roots with folk and pop tunes.

TV and theatre is suffering from a talent drain of black British actors, with many looking to the US for work because of the lack of opportunities in the UK, leading figures have warned.

Born in Valencia to a Guinean father and a Spanish mother, Sergio Alcover is a top breakdancer, singer and actor in Spain. Check him out in action here.

A R&B singer of Jamaican and Persian origins, London-born Rox is one of a kind. This September she climbed Mount Kenya to help young people with cancer. That's just the kind of person she is.

Black British actor David Oyelowo plays Preacher Green in the new film, "The Help." However, he has appeared in a number of other prominent pics including "The Last King of Scotland" and the UK's "Small Island." Check out his work here.

British driver Lewis Hamilton plays a race car in the new follow up to the original Disney Pixar Cars film. He talks about the experience here.

DJ Stan, who is African-American, has worked with the likes of Madonna. But for the last eight years has been living the good life in Moscow.

A French film "Case Départ," loosely translated into "Going Back," uses comedy to tackle racism. Watch the trailer here.

Cameroonian-born, German resident Myra Maimoh's smooth Afro Soul vibes are gaining her attention in the country and beyond. Maimoh's love of music dates back to childhood and includes a stint in an girl band Check out the inspiring single "Killing Me" from her recently released album, "Answer´d me."

Meet Kimbata, a Moscow-based group, who plays what its members call Pan-African music. It was organized by Andre Pelenda and Alino Mbala from Kinshasa, Congo and now also includes four Russian instrumentalists. They sing in Lingala, Kokongo and French.

Rudi Lickwood isn't frightened to talk about race. And as one of the UK's top comics, he's making sure Brits of all colours hear what he's got to say.

Dutch singer Ntjam Rosie is known for her cool jazz grooves. Watch her live performance at the Mau Mau Bar for Jazz:refreshed in London.

Swingfly, Ricardo DaSilva II, is an American-born naturalised Swedish rapper and singer. In this clip he performs in Melodifestivalen, an annual music competition which determines the country's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.

UK hip-hop was once the stomping ground of champions such as Roots Manuva, London Posse and Skinnyman. But nearly a decade on, after grime's ever-expanding success a new wave of rappers is emerging.

Critically acclaimed Afro-Belgian writer Chika Unigwe is proud of her African heritage. It has been a cornerstone of her work and led her to examine issues many would avoid. Now she is on tour with her latest book, "Nachtdanser." See calendar for details.

Meet Nicole Bus, a Dutch gospel singer who is wowing audiences all over her homeland. In 2010 she won Holland's longest running music competition "De Grote Prijs van Nederland," which is the launching pad for many of the country's major artists.

Hip-hop is alive and well in France. Just watch dance stars Les Twins - identical twins Laurent and Larry Bourgeois - as they go head to head in a street battle with two other teams Bones+Pee Fly and Laura+Boubou. The 22-year-olds are from Sarcelles, a suburb of Paris.

Swedish filmmaker Otham Karim's "Dear Alice" is the story of four people whose lives become inter-weaved during a seemingiy ordinary day. One is Franzis Namazi (Danny Glover) a new immigrant from Gambia. In this interview Karim talks about the film's themes including racism.

Label Noir, a group of professional black actors, directors and writers, are adding a new perspective to Germany's predominately white theater landscape.

A Nollywood movie has premiered for the first time ever in London. The Mirror Boy is the story a 12-year-old boy Tijani, who is whisked away from his UK birthplace to be raised in his ancestral homeland Gambia.

Rahman Satti's fly-on-the-wall documentary, "GO-BAMA Between Hope and Dreams," follows Barack Obama's presidential campaign and captures the Afro-German's personal journey toward political change and empowerment.

Rastamouse is a new UK TV series about a crimefighting rasta mouse. Based on a series of books of the same name, it is now airing on the BBC's CBeebies. Check out video link at bottom of page to see trailer.

French rapper MC Jean Gab'1 stars in the action film "Black," the story of a bank robber who goes on the run to Senegal after a Parisian armored car hold out goes badly wrong. Directed by Pierre Laffargue. See the trailer here (French with English subtitles)

For the past 30 years Professor Donald Muldrow Griffith has used the arts to pursue a very personal mission - to create harmony between people of different cultures in his adopted home of Berlin, West Germany.

Afro-Italian singer and actress Saba Anglana embraces her multicultural heritage, including the immigrant experience in all she does.

Afro-Italian Rapper, singer Valentino Ag has recorded a new tune for the soundtrack to "18 IUS SOLI," a documentary currently being made by Afro-Italian filmmaker Fred Kuwornu. The documentary examines the law which forces the Italian-born children of immigrants to apply for citizenship when they turn 18. Check it out here (Italian and English).

Hip-hop is alive and well in Scotland thanks largely to duo NorthernXposure. The group comes from the notorious Calder estate "aka C-Block" in Edinburgh, and produces politically charged, hard-hitting music. Check out their story here.

Ballet Black was founded by Cassa Pancho, to provide dancers of black and Asian descent a platform for their talent.

The John Akomfrah experimental film takes a fable-like documentary approach to post-World War II mass migration to England by Caribbean and other immigrants. Now it has secured distribution in UK theatres.

The UK's early skinhead culture was not based on race, but was influenced by early reggae music, especially ska and rocksteady, played by groups like Symarip (shown in 2010), a 1960's UK band.That changed after the music became focused on black empowerment.

"Desert Flower" is the story of Somalian supermodel and activist who fled to the UK after being circumcised at 5 and sold into marriage at 13. She is played in the film, based on her book, by real supermodel Liya Kebede.

Pam Feather's take on soul is bringing her fans not just in her native Netherlands, but all over Europe. In late 2010 she released her second single from the debut album "Feather Tales.""You." Check it out here.

"Where Are You Really From?" is the story of a black mixed race man who grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It´s the memoir about one man's struggle to establish his own identity and a tribute to the woman who fought to keep her son.

The Nigerian-German singer Nneka has made her acting debut in the film "Relentless." The film is about love in urban Lagos. Watch the trailer here.

Record label Soulissime is making sure French soul gets heard. The company has released a compilation of music by artists, including Natho, shown here (click More for his song Dis Moi -"Tell Me"). Visit www.soulissime.com for free download.

Buschgirl traces New York native Rose-Anne Clermont's life as a black woman in Germany over the last 10 years. 

Meet the UK's Diana Evans, author of The Wonder. Set in Lndon's Notting Hill, the novel tells the story of two siblings trying to find their way in the city. Evans, who is half English and half Nigerian, won the inaugural Orange Award for New Writers for her debut novel 26a.

Swedish rapper Jason Michael Robinson Diakité known as Timbuktu, began rapping in the early 90s. Check out his song - "The Botten Is Nådd" - Reaching the Bottom which reached No. 24 on the Swedish charts in 2003.

British female MCs used to get a bad rap, but a new generation, like Mz Bratt, is taking things back to the street. And if you don't like them, they don't care - because they know they're good.

Nigerian-German, reggae-soul singer-songwriter Ayo was born in Frechen, near Cologne, Ayo released her first album in 2006 and has performed all over the world, appearing with artists such as Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. Check out her latest single, "I'm Gonna Dance," here.

Isaias Matiaba Matiampa is a Greek pop singer-songwriter. Born in Ioannina, Greece to a Greek mother and a Zairian father, studied classical piano and singer. He rose to fame after winning the Greek talent competition, Na i eukeria" ("Here's your chance") in 2001-2002. Check out his latest single here.

Afro-Swedish filmmaker Baker Karim's series Famijen Babajou (The Babajou Family) is the story of a Ugandan family that moves to Sweden in the late 70′s who must deal with their new immigrant lifestyle. Check out an episode - in English with some Swedish - here.

Uk poetry is taking to the streets and it's looking good.  Writer's Block, a consortium of Spoken Word artists has created a series which takes poetry off the stage and put it squarely onto the streets. See Indigo Williams perform "The Wrong Truth" in Brixton, London here.

"Family Portrait in Black and White," chronicles a local woman's struggle to raise 16 biracial orphans in a small Ukrainian town. The offspring of African students and Ukrainian women, Olga Nenya and her "children" face overt racism. Watch the trailer here.

Andrea Levy, the author of the acclaimed book about Caribbean immigrants in the UK "Small Island," discusses how her book emerged through her own family history.

Chance brought Afro-Italian Fred Kuwornu his first major film project- a documentary called "Inside Buffalo." Now he will tackle race in his homeland.

The differences between Africa and Europe extend far beyond their geographical distance from each other. Two films examine life from each perspective.

An interview with the Netherland's Izaline Calister who sings in Papiamentu, the language of her native Curacao. Last year she won an Edison award, the Dutch equivalent of a U.S. Grammy. She talks about her music and her plans for the future.

The streets of Lisbon, Portugal are home to a new and popular style of Afro-European musical fusion called kuduro. It's a raw type of rave house music fused with Caribbean calypso sounds and Angolan grooves.

You may remember Ashley Walters as the charismatic Michael Roberts in the BBC's "Small Island." Now he is set to star in a major new BBC One drama, "Outcasts." Check out this interview with him.

From the South Bank to the heart of the West End, a whiff of hope is drifting through theatreland. Talented black actors, so often sidelined or overlooked for star roles, are suddenly in demand on the London stage.

"AfroDeutsch" is a short film (English subtitles) by actor and musician Tyron Ricketts which examines growing up in Germany as an Afro-German. Ricketts was born in Austria to a Jamaican father and an Austrian mother and now lives in Germany.

Watch this trailer for "Black Russians," a feature length documentary that investigates the lives of contemporary Afro-Russians born and raised in Soviet Russia. Intimate interviews with a poet, a film producer, a reggae artist, a businessman and others.

He may not be a household name, but actor and producer Wil Johnson is one of the hardest working men in the UK. His recent work includes an independently-financed movie called "Disorientated Generation," about a young Nigerian man in London. Check out the trailer here.

'Where My People At?' is web series that chronicles people of African descent around the globe. Check out this episode about a street musician in Paris.

An extract from the new memoir, "The Red Dust Road," by renowned poet and novelist Jackie Kay. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1961 to a Scottish mother and a Nigerian father, she was adopted by a white couple and brought up in Glasgow. The book describes her meeting at 42, with her father in Nigeria for the first time.

The African-German community has a long history, but the sizeable minority is often overlooked in a country where being German is often considered to mean being white. Now a group of black German filmmakers is trying to change that.

A biopic on the life of black British soccer star, Laurie Cunningham, is in the works. Cunningham was the first black soccer player to represent England competitively at any level.

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