For parents trying to figure out how to talk to their children about racism, film can be a useful tool for generating empathy. But many family-friendly movies with diverse casts are told from a white perspective, for a white audience. The following eight movies, suitable for children seven and older, are written by, directed by and star people of colour. They depict stories of struggle, perseverance and joy.

The Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

Ricky is a 13-year-old foster kid sent to live with a couple in the New Zealand bush. Bella is a loving caregiver, but her husband, Hec, is reluctant to bond with Ricky. After Bella dies suddenly, Ricky and Hec are forced to work together to survive. The writer-director Taika Waititi is expert at writing witty dialogue and fully-formed characters, which make the film funny and sincere without being sappy — essential if you’re trying to persuade a sceptical tween to watch with you. There are two rather graphic hunting scenes involving a knife.

Wadjda (2012)

Wadjda is an independent 10-year-old girl, determined to acquire a bike in order to race her best friend, Abdullah. The only problem is virtuous girls aren’t supposed to ride bikes or have boys as best friends. The film was the first feature-length movie shot entirely in Saudi Arabia, and also the country’s first to be directed by a woman.

Crooklyn (1994)

It’s 1973, the summer of Troy’s 10th birthday. She jumps rope with friends, steals snacks from the local deli and argues with her four brothers in their Brooklyn brownstone. After visiting her cousin in suburban Virginia, she returns home and is forced to grow up in a hurry. Crooklyn is the rare coming-of-age film told from a young girl’s point of view. The two-volume ’70s soundtrack, with songs from the Chi-Lites and Smokey Robinson, is killer. The screenplay was written by Spike Lee, his sister Joie Susannah Lee and his brother Cinque Lee. There is some strong language and mild drug use.

Hair Love (2019)

This Oscar-winning animated short, written and directed by Matthew Cherry, tells the story of a black father learning to style his daughter Zuri’s hair while her mother (voiced by Issa Rae) is in the hospital. Minimal dialogue helps put the focus on the beautiful animation. HBO has announced that the characters from the short will appear in a new series called Young Love.

The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun (2000)

Sili is a young disabled girl living in Dakar, Senegal. She begs for money in the same spot daily, but after being bullied, she decides to sell newspapers instead. She soon runs into opposition from the other sellers, who are all boys. The film tells an authentic story with a cast of non-professional actors and street children.

See You Yesterday (2019)

This debut feature from the director Stefon Bristol, who also co-wrote the script, is a sci-fi tale about two Black friends, C.J. and Sebastian, who try to build a time machine. During their experiments, C.J.’s life takes a tragic turn and she decides to jump back in time to right wrongs, realising in the process that it isn’t as easy as she thinks to change the past. Strong language and police brutality feature in the narrative.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)

William is an eager student forced to leave school when his parents can no longer afford the tuition. Determined to help his family survive a drought-induced famine in his small Malawian village, he builds a wind turbine for electricity and irrigation. The film focuses on community and political dynamics in the village, which (along with the drought) necessitate William’s invention. Chiwetel Ejiofor adapted the screenplay, based on a true story, and stars in and directed the film. The political controversy can be confusing for younger children to follow at times; there is also some violence.

Pachamama (2018)

Ten-year-old Tepulpai dreams of becoming a shaman in his small Andean village during the 16th century in this animated movie. He sets out on a journey to retrieve a stolen relic and must battle enemies, who include the Inca and Spanish Conquistadores intent on destroying his people and all they have built. Each tribe is animated in a slightly different style, making for a unique patchwork effect. The writer-director Juan Antin laboured on the film for 14 years.

Stacy Brick/The New York Times News Service