Al Jazeera release three-part documentary series that spotlight the complex and topical relationship between France and Africa.

Paulette Randall may be the first black British woman to direct a play in London's West End, but she's no stranger to a big stage.

Born and raised in east London to Jamaican parents, Dr Shirley J. Thompson's innovative approach to music - fusing classical and popular styles with her cultural heritage - has made her an acclaimed composer.

Director Rufus Norris, a potential successor as the next director of the National Theatre, has said the UK still lags behind the US in casting black actors.

Part one of a fascinating documentary in which two sisters and one brother, all descendants of slaves now living in the UK, investigate their genetic origins.

An outspoken and passionate activist, actress Sonia Rolland is working on her documentary about her birthplace, "Rwanda: From Ashes to Miracles"

Check out the film adaptation of France-based author Marguerite Abouet's worldwide sensation, popular graphic novel series, Aya de Yopougon. See trailer here (in French)

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 focus of French-Caribbean filmmaker Mariette Monpierre's first feature film, Elza is very close to home. Watch trailer here (in French)

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

19th century virtuoso violinist, George Polgreen Bridgetower, who was born in Poland of part African heritage, is the subject of a new film Sonata Mulattica.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Meet Dionne Bromfield, the rising young star and goddaughter of the late Amy Winehouse, talks about her success, family and love of music.

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.

Romanian-born Wanlov the Kubulor (Emmanuel Owusu-Bonsu, ) is an activist, and rap artist who weaves pidgin English and the Ghanaian language Twi together in his lyrics.

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

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.

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

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

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 home again.

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)

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

A R&B singer of Jamaican and Persian origins, London-born Rox is one of a kind. In 2011 she climbed Mount Kenya to help young people with cancer. That's just the kind of person she is.

Black British actor David Oyelowo played Preacher Green in the 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.

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.

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.

"Colour Bar," is the documentary story of a 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 (in French) here.

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.

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.

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 latest single, "Shape of a Broken Heart," 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.

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.

Dutch singer Ntjam Rosie is known for her cool jazz grooves. Watch a live performance in Rotterdam here.

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.

Moscow-based group, Kimbata,plays what its members call Pan-African music and performs in Lingala, Kokongo and French.

Cameroonian-born, German resident Myra Maimoh's smooth Afro Soul vibes are gaining her attention in the country and beyond. Check out her single "Killing Me" here.

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. more

American-born, naturalised Swedish rapper, Swingfly, Ricardo DaSilva II, made history when he performed at Melodifestivalen, a competition which picks the country's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest. Check out an interview with him here

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 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.

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

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

Check out Italian rapper, singer Valentino Ag's tune on the soundtrack to "18 IUS SOLI," a documentary by Italian filmmaker Fred Kuwornu about the law forcing the Italian-born children of immigrants to apply for citizenship. (Italian and English).

"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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

Isaias Matiaba Matiampa, a Greek pop singer-songwriter, with a Greek mother and a Zairian father, rose to fame after winning the Greek talent competition, Na i eukeria" ("Here's your chance") in 2001-2002.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

'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.

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