All are invited to enjoy a special film screening and Q&A with filmmaker Fred Kudjo Kuwornu.

We Were Here - The Untold History of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe by filmmaker Fred Kudjo Kuwornu sheds light on the overlooked presence of African and Black individuals in Renaissance Europe, highlighting their depiction in masterpieces by some of the era’s most celebrated artists.

How did they come to Europe? Why were they portrayed? Were they truly all servants or slaves? If the Black faces portrayed in these Renaissance masterpieces could speak, what would they tell us?

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ABOUT THE FILMMAKER:

Kuwornu is an Afro-Italian and U.S. multi-hyphenate socially engaged artist, filmmaker and scholar based in New York. His work bridges past and present, exploring identity and race through historical remixing of archival materials. Kuwornu's films have been exhibited at the 60ᵗʰ VeniceArt Biennale (2024), Museum of Moving Image (NY), Library of Congress, and international film festivals.

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SCHEDULE:

• 5:00 PM: Refreshments in lobby
• 5:30 PM: Event introductions
• 5:45 PM: Film screening starts
• 6:45 PM: Q&A
• 7:30 PM: Event ends

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EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO ALL | PLEASE RSVP VIA EVENTBRITE_____________________________________________________________

• LOCATION:
  • The event will be on the UC San Diego campus in the Mosaic Hall lobby and auditorium #113, located within the North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Niehgborhood, in Sixth College.
  • The venue neighbors the Jeannie Hall and is below the Craft Center, with the entrance open to the quad and signage above the entrance reading "Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts"
• PARKING:
  • Nearby parking is available in the Scholars Parking Garage, located directly below Mosaic Hall. Please note that all parking at UC San Diego requires a purchased permit. View more parking permit information >>

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This event is cosponsored by the Black Studies Project, Italian Studies, European Studies, and the Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts as a part of the Black Europe Series and Black History Month 2025 at UC San Diego.