After serving with the Free French Forces in World War II, Sembene returned to his native Senegal and wrote three successful novels and a short story collection before turning to film as a way of expanding his audience. In 1963, he produced his first film, a short called BOROM SARRET which has been called the first film made in Africa by an African. In 1966, he wrote and directed what is considered "the first Sub-Saharan African film by an African filmmaker to receive international attention," BLACK GIRL. It is the story of a young girl from Senegal who is hired to serve as a domestic servant in France and the effects of colonialism and racism. In the 2010s, has been seen as a classic of world cinema.
Also the short film: BOROM SARRET (THE WAGONER) (1963; Dir. Ousmane Sembene; 18 min)