Pan African Film & Arts Festival

04/15/2020

Sarah Maldoror, the director of Sambizizanga (1972), the first woman of African descent to direct a feature film, has died in Paris on April 13, 2020. A pioneer of Pan African cinema, has passed of complications from coronavirus.
Her luminous cinematic oeuvre, including more than 40 films, reveals a valiant fighter, curious about everything, generous, sassy, very caring about others, who crossed all sorts of boundaries with her poetic approach. Born on July 19, 1929 of a Guadeloupian father and mother from the Southwest of France.
After her stay in the Soviet Union, joined the pioneers of the African liberation movements, in Guinea, Algeria, and Guinea Bissau along side her companion, Mario de Andrade, a poet and politician from Angola, who founded the Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and became Angola’s first president.
Sarah Maldoror always repeated “For many African filmmakers, cinema is a revolutionary tool, a political education to raise consciousness. It is inscribed in the evolution of Third World Cinema striving to decolonize thought and advocate radical changes in society”.
The first film she worked on was The Battle of Algiers (1969). Her first film was Monangambee (1969) adapted from a short story about the lack of understanding between colonizer and colonized people.
While at home during this coronavirus lockdown look up this revolutionary filmmakers works. Become more educated about the African liberation movements through film. Honor our ancestors honor Sarah Maldoror. 🙏🏽🌹✊🏽

04/14/2020

The Pan African Film & Arts Festival mourns the passing of our Ambassador extraordinaire Roland Wirt. Our heart felt condolences to Roland’s family and caring friends. Roland your hospitable personality, and enthusiasm in promoting PAFF annually will never be forgotten. You wear the 👑 crown as the #1 builder of Los Angeles’ Social Landscape.
Your presence will deeply be missed. Bless you

04/14/2020

WE REMEMBER: LA-Based Entertainment Promoter Roland Wirt Has Died | EURweb

The Pan African Film & Arts Festival mourns the passing of our PAFF Ambassador extraordinaire Roland Wirt.
Condolences to Roland's family & friends. Roland your hospitable personality, and enthusiasm in promoting PAFF annually will never be forgotten. You wear the crown as the #1 builder of Los Angeles Social Landscape.

Unfortunately, we have sad news to report about entertainment veteran Roland Wirt. The longtime promoter of entertainment events in Los Angeles and around the country has passed away. We don’t have any official information as to the cause of his death, but various postings on Facebook say he died ...

04/13/2020

Independent Lens | PBS

Tonight BEDLAM Independent Lens on PBS at !0/9c

Go inside a vastly under-resourced psych ER, where people suffering from serious mental illness wait on solutions from policy makers. #BedlamFilmPBS - Monday, April 13 on PBS.

04/13/2020

The Man Who Paved the Way for Black Directors in Hollywood

The Man Who Paved the Way for Black Directors in Hollywood

Gordon Parks’s career made it possible for the next generation to fight for their rightful place in the mainstream — only to face the same opposition he had.

04/13/2020

PAFF 2020 HIGHLIGHTS:
‘BEDLAM’ Premieres on Independent Lens Tonight, Monday, April 13 at 10/9c on PBS. Bedlam a feature documentary Directed by psychiatrist Kenneth Paul Rosenberg.
Bedlam, explores Mental Illness, a national health crisis. There are poignant stories of people grappling with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other chronic psychiatric conditions. Dr. Rosenberg makes rounds in ER’s, jails, and homeless camps to illuminate the intricate stories behind one of today’s greatest social issues.
PAFF screened Bedlam in February and hosted a panel on Mental Illness Awareness hosted by Queen Sugar Actress Dawn Lyen Gardner and Black Lives Matter organizer Patrisse Cullors. Bedlam is an emotionally compelling and timely documentary. Don’t miss it tonight on @pbs #independentlens #mentalhealth #outstandingdocumentary #paffnow

04/11/2020

Facebook Live Event Q&A Saturday, April 11th, 7pm pt time Lifetime Feature Film ‘The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel’ #tonight

04/11/2020

camilletuc Congratulations to PAFF Ambassador & Alumni Camille Tucker co-writer of Lifetimes Feature Film ‘The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel’
・・・
I want to give a S/O to Director Christine Swanson @cswanson44 for her authentic, passionate and fearless portrayal of the Clark Sisters!!! We are 1 day way form THE CLARK SISTERS: THE FIRST LADIES OF GOSPEL on LIFETIME, tomorrow night 8p PT/ET and 7 CT. Their songs which include “You Brought the Sunshine,” “Is My Living in Vain,” “Expect a Miracle” and so many more are a beacon of light in our lost times. Directed by the award-winning Christine Swanson, the film stars Kierra Sheard as Karen, Angela Birchett as Jacky, Shelea Frazier as Dorinda, Christina Bell as Twinkie, and Raven Goodwin as Denise. It features live performances by these young performers—who are also incredible singers— under the musical supervision of gospel superstar @donaldlawrence And I am honored to be co writer. Come celebrate Easter and celebrate the Clark Sisters with us. We hope the movie will bring a little sunshine into your life. #theclarksisters #theclarksistersmovie #christineswanson #director

04/11/2020

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah

Featuring the beautiful music of the Clark Sisters, this is the first television movie about these Grammy winning artists 🙌🏾 coming to Lifetime on April 11 at 8pm ET/PT (7pm CT) #TheClarkSisters #gospelmusic

04/10/2020

PAFF 2020 HIGHLIGHTS
Nick Cannon’s ‘SHE BALL’ World Premiere
Shot in the City of Inglewood, California.
Rooted in a discourse about race, gentrification, criminal justice, and female empowerment. SHE BALL follows the love of the game through the struggles of Avery Watts, a father who lost his NBA dreams to gang violence. It stars Cedric the Entertainer, Marla Gibbs, Evan Ross, Luenell, and the Director Nick Cannon. #sheballmovie #inglewood #basketballgirls #newblackmovies #paffnow #

04/09/2020

PAFF 2020 HIGHLIGHTS
iamAFRICA Short Film Competition on YouTube, was a collaborative initiative between the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF), The Africa Narrative at the University of Southern California Norman Lear Center and YouTube.
Continental born African filmmakers submitted films that were screened on YouTube. The public voted on their favorites. Four filmmakers films were chosen as winners and were flown to Los Angeles. There was a all-day filmmakers intensive at the Google Headquarters in Los Angeles, and an afternoon of screenings at PAFF 2020. #iamafrica #africanshortfilms #shortfilmcompetition #paffnow @ Cinemark Baldwin Hills

04/07/2020

CNN Africa

CNN Africa

Nigerian musician Fela Kuti is an iconic figure of Afrobeat, and the cover art for his albums was as dynamic as his music. Meet Lemi, the artist behind the most memorable of these covers.

04/07/2020

A Massive List of Spring 2020 Grants All Filmmakers Should Know About

Filmmaker Grants for 2020

It's time to leave hibernation and start applying for grants.

04/07/2020

PAFF 2020 HIGHLIGHTS
The World Premiere of ‘Foster Boy’ (2019) a feature narrative directed by Youssef Delara and executive producer Shaquille O’Neal.
Reluctantly, a big-time corporate litigator becomes a lawyer in a trail to which it is claimed a for profit foster care agency puts a known sex offender into the foster home with Jamal, his young client.
A feature that advocates for foster care reform spearheaded by Shaquille O’ Neal.
#fosterboythemovie #fostercareawareness #shaquilleoneal #matthewmodine #panafricanfilmfestival #paff2020vision @ Cinemark Baldwin Hills

04/03/2020

Great songwriting, everyone has their favorite memorized. Let’s spend the day spinning and singing in honor of this unassuming musician Bill Withers.
Have a Lovely Day. #billwithers #leanonme #billwithersmusic

04/03/2020

PAFF 2020 HIGHLIGHTS
Studentfest & Saturday Morning Children’s Festival PAFF screened 12 features and 5 short films including the Academy Award winning Short HAIR LOVE for thousands of Students and Children.
All films screened were FREE and age appropriate.
PAFF would like thank our Studentfest and Children Festival sponsors The Lakers Foundation, Sony Pictures, Disney and Union Bank.
A big shout-out to our volunteers in the red t-shirts. #cinemark15 #studentfestival #filmsforkids #paffnow #disney #unionbank #thelakersfoundation #sonypictures #paffvolunteers

04/01/2020

PAFF 2020 HIGHLIGHTS
Filmmaker Sydney Taivavashe arriving at LAX from Zimbabwe with actors from his feature film Gonarezhou The Movie for it’s US premiere at PAFF.
Zulu wants to take care of his ailing mother and dreams of becoming an acclaimed musician. But in reality, he is a broken-hearted drunk. With no money and even fewer prospects, he hooks up with a notorious gang of poachers. #paffnow #africanfilms #africanfilmmakers #zimbabwe #featurefilm #poachersbeware #africanstellingtheirstories

03/29/2020

PAFF 2020 HIGHLIGHTS
PAFF hosted a pre-screening of the new NETFLIX series Queen Sono from South Africa. South African actress Pearl Thusi, plays Queen the lead character who’s a secret agent that fights crime fearlessly. Check it out and leave all comments below. #netflix #queensononetflix #pearlthusi #southafricanwomen #southafricanseries #watchathome #paffnow #paff2020vision

03/26/2020

@wyllisabennett
・・・PAFF 2020 HIGHLIGHTS
#OTRC Making a #fashionstatement w/ @amatulajacobs at @paffnow, wearing the most beautiful, embroidered #African coat designed by her. I bought so many of her #afrocentric pieces during the festival & now I’m a muse 4 her. Thank u #aka soror & photographer @itsrobinlori 4 capturing this shot on opening night of the #PanAfricanFilmFestival last month. #tbt I call this my “Joseph coat,” and I wore it almost everyday during the festival. A great investment piece for sure. #fashion #ootd #wiw #wiwt
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BTW, I was tapped as the new communications director for #PAFF. PAFF is the largest Black film festival in the United States and the largest Black History Month cultural event in the nation. This year, it selected a record-breaking 225 films, representing 52 countries in 26 languages. Plus, ArtFest featured more than 100 fine artists from around the world. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has designated PAFF as an official qualifying film festival for live action and animation short films..
.
#me #smile #selfie #wyllisa #publicistdujour #pr #wrbpublicrelations #prmaven #publicitypimp #girlboss #bosslady #entrepreneur #womenpreneur #blogger #writer #instalike #photooftheday #picoftheday

03/26/2020

PAFF 2020 HIGHLIGHTS ‘CODE-SWITCH’ a short narrative by Sigin Ojulu won the Ja’Net Bois Short Narrative Award at PAFF 2020
Ruby Oliver enters a broken VR game not knowing it treats all girls as a virus. An intriguing Sci-Fi short by a lovely Woman Director. The film stars @jimmyjeanlouis #scififantasy #blackwomendirectors #thehaitianhero #africanwomen

03/25/2020

Chloe Mondesir, Director of the Short film ‘Jacks’
An eight year old gets the courage to face the neighborhood bully. But things get out of hand when she goes on a quest to get back her stolen Jacks. Chloe Mondesir, pictured attending The PAFF Directors Guild Brunch hosted by the DGA annually for our attending filmmakers. #directorsguildofamerica #womendirectors #filmmakerslife #shortfilms #paffnow @ Directors Guild of America

03/23/2020

PAFF 2020 HIGHLIGHTS
A tribute to our HEROS from Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹. Our Hostess for the evening Actress Tatyana Ali. A powerful film, and a colorful African Diasporic evening for all guests, at the Directors Guild of America in Hollywood. #paffnow #paff2020vision #paff2020 @ Directors Guild of America

03/21/2020

This photo of Babu from opening night is simply breathtaking. #paff #paff2020

03/21/2020

PAFF 2020 ‘HIGHLIGHTS’
PAFF Institute presents:
‘Behind the Music: Composing for Film & TV’
A conversation about the creation of music for film and TV with some of today’s top African-American composers.
PAFF panelist included Patrice Rushen, composer (Musical Director for the 46th, 47th and 48th Grammy Awards)
Michael Abels, Composer
(Get Out, Us)
Kurt Farquhar, composer (Black Lightning, King of Queens, The Game)
Kathryn Bostic, composer, singer/ songwriter (Clemency, Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, Dear White People)
Kris Bowers, composer ( The Snowy Day, When They See Us)
Jongnic Bontemps, composer (Alley Way, College Behind Bars) Raj Gupta, Grammy Board member.
What a great panel, wouldn’t you say? #blackcomposers #musicforfilms #musicfortv #paffnow #paff2020vision #paff2020 @ Cinemark Baldwin Hills

03/21/2020

Since we’re all in quarantine let’s do a little PAFF Trivia...

03/21/2020

Beauty in color to cheer up your day. Think good thoughts watch good films... be entertained. #paffnow

03/20/2020

Mira Nair

Mira Nair

There is great power in telling our stories. It is something that can be done if one applies oneself to the understanding of the craft, the understanding of the narrative. My mantra is that if we don’t tell our own stories, no one else will. Join me in my new MasterClass :)

www.masterclass.com/mira

03/06/2020

Mira Nair

One of our favorite directors at PAFF Mira Nair

There is great power in telling our stories. It is something that can be done if one applies oneself to the understanding of the craft, the understanding of the narrative. My mantra is that if we don’t tell our own stories, no one else will. Join me in my new MasterClass :)

www.masterclass.com/mira

03/06/2020

Here’s a recap of video of the Red Carpet covered by @sheriseent and Screening of SHE BALL 🏀 directed by: Nick Cannon. | @nickcannon @sheballthemovie #PAFF2020 #SheBall #nickcannon

03/06/2020

Big congrats are in order to the cast and crew of SHE BALL for winning the Programmers’ Best Narrative Feature! #SHEBALL 🎥 A single father who lost his NBA dreams to gang violence enlists a women's streetball league to help save an embattled community center in Inglewood, California. | Directed by: @nickcannon #paff #sports #films #movies

03/06/2020

Congratulations to @zuluweddingmovie for winning the PAFF 2020 Ja’Net First Feature Narrative Award. Congratulations to director Lineo Sekeleoane

03/06/2020

Here’s a short clip of our Awards Brunch! We want to thank everyone who came out to support #PAFF2020 and congratulate all of the #PAFF2020 WINNERS! We look forward to seeing you all next year! 🎥✍🏾🎬

03/04/2020

CNN Africa

CNN Africa

Nollywood is making waves around the world and Netflix has noticed. CNN's Eleni Giokos takes a look at how growing international interest in Nigeria's film industry is slowly reshaping the entertainment world. https://cnn.it/2wspCj7

02/28/2020

blackfilm

Netflix Orders First Nigerian Original From Director Akin Omotoso with Kate Henshaw, Ade Laoye in leading roles

https://www.blackfilm.com/read/2020/02/netflix-orders-first-nigerian-original-from-director-akin-omotoso/

02/23/2020

#PAFF: 🎨Catch ARTFEST before it closes at 7pm TONIGHT! || The Pan African Film & Arts Festival presents:
PAFF ArtFEST 2020
February 13-23, 2020
Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Plaza #LosAngeles
ArtFEST 2020 features over 100 established and emerging fine #artists and craftspeople from all over #Africa & the diaspora.
For General info: paff.org
Art Director / Curator Allohn Agbenya @allohn_designs #paffnow #africanart #art #jewelry #contemporaryart #africanartifacts #africanfabric #wearableart #sheabutter #blacksoap #designerclothes #designerjewelry #blackhistorymonth #thingstodoinla #thingstodoinlosangeles #thingstodoinlosangeleswithkids @ Baldwin Hills Crenshaw

02/23/2020

#PAFF: 🎨Catch ARTFEST before it closes at 7pm TONIGHT! || The Pan African Film & Arts Festival presents:
PAFF ArtFEST 2020
February 13-23, 2020
Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Plaza #LosAngeles
ArtFEST 2020 features over 100 established and emerging fine #artists and craftspeople from all over #Africa & the diaspora.
For General info: paff.org
Art Director / Curator Allohn Agbenya @allohn_designs #paffnow #africanart #art #jewelry #contemporaryart #africanartifacts #africanfabric #wearableart #sheabutter #blacksoap #designerclothes #designerjewelry #blackhistorymonth #thingstodoinla #thingstodoinlosangeles #thingstodoinlosangeleswithkids

02/23/2020

Photos from Pan African Film & Arts Festival's post

02/23/2020

You have a wedding to attend TONIGHT Sunday Feb23 @ 6:00pm and again at 8:55pm—ZULU WEDDING at Closing Night of the Pan African Film+Arts Festival—and it’s going be a blast!

Whether or not you’re in L.A., join us in the fun:
Go to the PAFF website and make your own PAFFport just like the stars of ZULU WEDDING! Link in bio! 💫 -

#PAFF2020Vision #myPAFFport #ZuluWedding #film #blackexcellence