Originally conceived as a “short, silent film” about an African American family from the Carolina Sea Islands, DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST (1991) was written, directed and produced by AFI Conservatory Alum Julie Dash (AFI Class of 1974) – who soon realized there was too much material for just a short film, so she combined her research with personal family stories and West African ritual traditions to expand the narrative into a feature. With the release of the film, Dash became the first African American woman director to receive a nationwide distribution deal.
Visit the AFI Catalog to learn more about DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST.
