The Pan African Film Festival, the cinematic component of the National Black Arts Festival, has always given moviegoers the rare opportunity to see films from Ghana, Nigeria and the many other nations of Africa.

But more than ever, this year's film fest, which runs July 18-July 27, illustrates the breadth and depth of black cinema.

ThinkFilm / Special (ENLARGE)
Danny Glover as George and Rossif Sutherland as Donnie Rose in ThinkFilm's 'Poor Boy's Game'. The Canadian film about boxing will be highlighted July 24 at the National Black Arts Festival's Pan African Film Festival.
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The more than 50 films to be screened at the Woodruff Arts Center's Rich Theatre come not only from Africa but involve Europe, the Caribbean and North America. There will be familiar faces — Oscar nominee Danny Glover co-stars in the Canadian boxing film "Poor Boy's Game" (July 24) — and fresh ones from rising talent — Jocko Sims as the title character in writer-director Leon Lozano's riveting, made-in-Los Angeles child abuse drama "Something Is Killing Tate" (July 25).

Among the first films showing will be "El Benny," a musically explosive feature from Cuba about real-life bandleader Benny Moré, credited as the father of cha cha, salsa and marenga music.

On July 21, Emmy-winning and Tony-nominated actor Charles S. Dutton will be honored with a retrospective that will be followed by a screening of his 1995 TV movie "The Piano Lesson," based on August Wilson's play.

Among films from Africa: "Ezra" (July 27), a violent tale of child soldiering inspired by events in Sierra Leone; and South Africa's "Drum" (July 19), starring Taye Diggs as a magazine journalist who first began to write about racist policies at the onset of Apartheid.

IF YOU GO

Part of the National Black Arts Festival

• Friday-July 27 at The Woodruff Arts Center's Rich Theatre

• For tickets and full listings: www.nbaf.org

(Then, click on "Events", and then click on "Film")