The New York African Film Festival; Recapping The Met Gala; Kaliane Bradley's Debut Novel; 'Grenfell' Play About The London Tower Fire; 'The 50' Documentary

The theme for the 31st edition of the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) is “Convergence of Time." This year's slate includes 50+ films from more than 25 countries, including titles such as "Over the Bridge," "Fight Like a Girl," and "The Rhythm and The Blues." NYAFF founder Mahen Bonetti previews the festival which opens May 8 and closes May 14, alongside journalist, producer, art promoter and filmmaker Oyiza Adaba, whose film "DELA: The Making of El Anatsui" will screen at this year’s festival.

Celebrities hit the red carpet for the 2024 Met Gala last night, one of the biggest events in fashion every year. Vanessa Friedman, New York Times Fashion director and critic, discusses the looks that won the night, the reputation of the Met Gala in the fashion world, and we take your calls.

In the new novel The Ministry of Time, a new British program has invented a way to bring people from other time periods into 21st century London. A civil servant is tasked with looking after a commander from the infamous Sir John Franklin expedition, and sparks begin to fly. But what is the real goal of the program? Author Kaliane Bradley joins us to discuss the novel, her debut.

The play, "Grenfell: in the words of survivors," tells the story of an infamous fire at a public housing project in London, leaving dozens injured and killing seventy people. Playwright Gillian Slovo and cast members Mona Goodwin and Dominique Tipper join us to discuss the play, which is playing at St. Ann's Warehouse until May 12.

The new documentary "The 50" follows a group of incarcerated men training to become some of the first incarcerated substance abuse counselors in the country. Director Brenton Gieser joins us to discuss the film, alongside subject Cameron Clark, a formerly incarcerated person who is now the executive director of DOVE.