African Studies Association Launches Film Fund Commemorating Renowned Scholar Kenneth Harrow

The African Studies Association (ASA) has unveiled two significant initiatives: the Ken Harrow ASA Film Fund, aimed at promoting African film studies in memory of the esteemed scholar of African cinema, Kenneth Harrow, and the Sembène-Kelani Film Prize, which honors an exceptional film created by an African director.

Since its inception in 1957, the ASA stands as the premier organization committed to fostering the dissemination of knowledge pertaining to Africa. Operating from the United States, the association is a conduit for groundbreaking research and pivotal discussions in the realm of African studies, while also promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration with African academics and institutions.

The Ken Harrow ASA Film Fund is dedicated to nurturing scholarship, artistic expression, and dialogue surrounding African cinema. It underpins the newly established Sembène-Kelani Film Prize, previously known as the ASA Film Prize, which recognizes excellence in African filmmaking, be it narrative or documentary. The award pays tribute to the legacy of two cinematic luminaries from Africa: Senegalese Sembène Ousmane and Nigerian Tunde Kelani.

Furthermore, the Film Fund is set to bolster scholarly inquiry and the spread of insights on African cinema by offering grants for film festival participation to editors of the African Studies Review and members of the Sembène-Kelani Film Prize committee. Additionally, the Fund will finance the transfer of the Harrow library collection, which boasts over a thousand titles and 450 films, through a collaboration with Michigan State University and Université Gaston Berger.

The establishment of the Ken Harrow ASA Film Fund was made possible through the philanthropy of Kenneth Harrow and Elizabeth Harrow. Kenneth Harrow, who passed away in 2024, was a revered Emeritus Distinguished Professor of English at Michigan State University, where he taught for over five decades. He was an active member of the ASA’s board and played a pivotal role in the creation and management of the ASA Film Prize. His contributions were recognized in 2023 when he was honored with the ASA Distinguished Africanist Award.

To contribute to this cause or to make a donation in memory of Professor Harrow, consider supporting the fund here.