The Author: Sheril D. Antonio is Associate Dean for Film, Television, and New Media at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She received her Ph.D. in cinema studies from New York University. Dr. Antonio is also a lecturer and teacher of film criticism and theory.

«Sheril D. Antonio’s excellent, comprehensive study discusses the key films that in various ways, from genre to aesthetics and politics, define ‘the new black film wave’ at its high moment of production. ‘Contemporary African American Cinema’ gets into the issues, drawing lucid connections between the African American ‘hood-homeboy-action’ flick and its ancestor, the American gangster film; sharply exploring intersections of gender, race, and representation in commercial cinema. From moviegoer to scholar, this book is a ‘must read’ for all wanting to understand, and enjoy, contemporary African American cinema.» (Ed Guerrero, Associate Professor of Cinema Studies, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University)