Academy Museum Spotlights Ngozi Onwurah, Afrofuturism, and Cyberpunk by Venus DeMilo Thomas
At the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ 2025 Fall Program, director Ngozi Onwurah took center stage for a conversation on Afrofuturism and its intersection with cyberpunk. Venus DeMilo Thomas covered the event, which was moderated by actor Ahmed Best.
Onwurah reflected on her debut feature, "Welcome II the Terrordome" (1995), widely recognized as the first British theatrical release directed by a Black woman. The discussion addressed themes central to her work, including the historic site of Igbo Landing and what she referred to as the “Joy of Blackness.” She called the film a Hip Hop narrative, linking its storytelling approach to oral traditions rooted in Black history.
The conversation also explored the story of Hector Pieterson, whose death during the Soweto Uprising became a symbol of resistance to apartheid. Onwurah explained how moments of struggle and resilience are reframed through a futuristic lens in her film.
A film clip featuring the character Rosa sparked a conversation about identity and the refusal to conform. Onwurah posed a question to the audience: What might the African diaspora look like today without the legacy of colonialism and slavery?
Onwurah closed by urging the next generation of filmmakers to pursue their own stories and take creative risks. “It’s time for you to lead — to go out and make them,” she said.
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