The symposium is a day-long event on Friday, Oct. 3, and brings together various scholars, writers, and filmmakers who use the visual world to bring history to life. All events are free and open to the public.

Umdu said “Specters of History” is a response to the Broad’s current exhibition, “Imaginary Possessions,” by British filmmaker John Akomfrah.

She said Akomfrah is interested in how history is represented and talked about in the present. He works with the connection between image, sound and text. His audience is invited into an emotional atmosphere that makes them think about those parts and the effect they have.

Umdu hopes the symposium provides a place where the public can work with the themes Akomfrah is inspired by, integrating his work with other filmmaking practices that have developed in the U.S. and elsewhere.

In particular, “Specters of History” is calling attention to black history and communities. Friday’s events are linked to MSU’s year-long conversation about civil and human rights, and are part of the Black Film as Social Activism series.

“Film is the contemporary language,” Umdu said. “I see a video the same way I would see a painting or a sculpture.”

During the symposium, Umdu will be a participant along with the general public. She said she is waiting in anticipation to see what the guest speakers will deliver and how the audience will react.