28th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) Soars in Los Angeles
Sad news to report during PAFF. Ja’Net Dubois, Co-Founder of the Pan African Film Festival passed away. Below is a statement from Danny Glover:
“We are shocked and stunned by the passing of one of the founders of the Pan African Film and Arts Festival, and one of the most important shining and guiding lights. Our sister, Ja’Net DuBois, epitomized a true, conscious Pan African artist who mastered the ability to be idealistic and practical at the same time. It’s rare to find a person — let alone an artist — who strikes a wonderful balance.
If Madame DuBois had lived during the times of the great Pharaohs; or the great kingdoms of Timbuktu; or the great kingdoms in southern Africa, such as the Zimbabwe and Zulu kingdoms, she would have been known as a Jali or a Sangoma. In our contemporary times, she was able to use modern technology to spread her voice, her image, her spirit, her songs and our stories around the globe and touch us with humor, dignity and her ancient wisdom.
A mighty giant tree has fallen in the forest today! With her death occurring in the midst of the Pan African Film and Arts Festival, she left us an important message — support cultural institutions like her beloved Pan African Film and Arts Festival, and it will point you toward liberation and freedom. If not — like the bluesman, Taj Maahal sings — you’ll stumble and fall. ”
— co-founders Danny Glover and Ayuko Babu, on behalf of the staff of the Pan African Film and Arts Festival and the many thousands of people who attend it.
On a brighter note, NBA legend Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal was on the red carpet Monday for the screening of FOSTER BOY, written by Jay Paul Deratany and directed by Youssef Delaralegend Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal was on the red carpet for the screening of FOSTER BOY, written by Jay Paul Deratany and directed by Youssef Delara. Check out a few photos I took on the red carpet.
by Kita Harrison Golden
NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal Executive Producer of “Foster Boy”
Shane Paul McGhie
Kristian Lyttle and Shane Paul McGhie
Cast of “Foster Boy”
Actress Lex Scott Davis stars in the film
Monday Report from Kita Harrison Golden . . .
Kita Harrison Golden and Roger Bobb
Kita Harrison Golden – “Friend Request” Red Carpet
With so many festivities going on for the PAFF, it’s been exciting and fun-filled. It’s also been very informative. Roger Bobb’s, “FRIEND REQUEST” was one of the films I decided to catch on Saturday. Producer/Director Roger Bobb filmed “Friend Request” in 15 days in Chicago, and post process was six weeks. Bobb said he did not use heavy music in “Friend Request,” because he did not want to give away the scene. Actor Tosin Morohifola played lead. Interestingly, Bobb said. Morohifola did not have to audition for him. He was simply requested and offered the role. Tip: Having a great audition is important, but even if you don’t get the role you’re auditioning for, your audition might open the door for another role down the line. Bobb sometimes casts actors he’s seen in prior auditions, and that’s just what happened with actor Tosin Morohifola for “Friend Request, which will air on BET in June. The film was a highly entertaining, must see! I was unpredictable and exciting!
Check out the trailer below:
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PAFF KICKS OFF IN HOLLYWOOD
The 28th annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) opened with the film “HERO: Inspired by the Extraordinary Revolutionary Life and Times of Diplomat and Judge Ulric Cross,” directed by Caribbean filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon. The festival kicked off festivities with a star-studded Opening Night Gala on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at the Directors Guild of America (DGA), located at 7920 W. Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. This year’s theme is “20/20 Vision,” kicking off the decade with a fresh lens and solidifying its commitment to tell diverse stories with a global, luminous view.
Danny Glover
Vanessa A. Williams
Petri Hawkins-Byrd from “Judge Judy” show.
Darrin Henson
Director Frances-Anne Solomon (right)
Elise Neal
Cast of “Hero.”
Actress & Entertainment Correspondent Kita Harrison Golden covers Opening Night at PAFF
“HERO” is inspired by the extraordinary revolutionary life and times of Trinidad and Tobago diplomat and Judge Ulric Cross, the most decorated West Indian of World War II. He was a member of the highly-decorated group of Caribbean pilots who flew combat missions for the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force (RAF) in World War II. This Caribbean group was the equivalent of the Tuskegee Airmen – that is, African American military pilots who flew combat missions for the U.S. Air Force in World War II. After his service, Cross went on to play an active and important role in the Pan African Movement, which led to the creation of the 28 modern Caribbean and 54 modern African nations. This Pan African Movement influenced U.S. domestic policy towards African Americans and inspired the Civil Rights movement. It also inspired Black Power movements in the Americas as well as the rise of Black consciousness that swept around the world and resonates to this day.
Helmed by a female director, Solomon leads a pack of women screening films at PAFF in record numbers. “As a woman of color in this ferocious industry, I have had to work relentlessly to circumvent the barriers that stood in my way,” said Solomon. “As a proud new member of the Academy, I believe our time has come, and the world now will reap the magic that we have sown over the past years. The 2020s will be amazing for all our voices.”
“HERO” also boasts an all-star international cast that includes Trinidad and Tobago’s Nicolai Salcedo, in the lead role of Ulric Cross, along with UK stars Joseph Marcell (“Fresh Prince of Bel Air”), Fraser James (“Resident Evil”), Pippa Nixon (“John Carter”), Canada’s Peter Williams (“Stargate SG1”), and Ghanaian superstars John Dumelo, Adjetey Anang andPrince David Oseia.
“We are very excited to screen “Hero” and share the triumphs and victories of Judge Ulric Cross and his Pan African brothers, which led to the creation of our modern world. It is truly an honor for me personally, as well as the Pan African Film Festival, to present and create awareness about this great, important, enriching and entertaining story,” said Ayuko Babu, executive director of PAFF. The opening night festivities will feature a Trinidad and Tobago live steel drum band and Caribbean cuisine!
“Hero”
PAFF is the largest Black film festival in the United States and the largest Black History Month cultural event in the nation with approximately 150 Black films and 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. The festival will be held from February 11 – 23, 2020 at the Cinemark 15 Theatres, located at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles. (The theatre is situated on the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Crenshaw Boulevard.)
With the exception of the opening night gala, all PAFF screenings, panels as well as the fine art show will take place at the Cinemark 15 Theatres, and the adjacent Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles.
The festival has cemented its role as a hub for breakthrough and award-winning Black films and filmmakers from around the world. PAFF is dedicated to the cinematic promotion and cultural exploration of peoples of African descent. It is PAFF’s goal to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help destroy negative stereotypes. PAFF believes film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, ethnicities, and lifestyles in an entertaining way.
The festival will hand out juried prizes for Best Narrative Feature, Best First Feature Film, Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short, and Best Narrative Short as well as audience favorite awards at the close of the festival. This year, PAFF has selected films, representing 40 countries in 26 different languages.
SPONSORS
PAFF is sponsored by Los Angeles City Council President Emeritus Herb Wesson, Jr.; Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas; Los Angeles City Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson (District 8); Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza; Cinemark 15; the Directors Guild of America (DGA); FilmLA; Sony Pictures; Brotherhood Crusade; as well as the City of Los Angeles; the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.
Additional support of opening night festivities and the screening of “Hero” made possible byTrinidad and Tobago, Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts; Imagine Media; CaribbeanTales; and California Pictures.
ABOUT THE PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL
Gearing up for its 28th anniversary, the Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) is America’s largest and most prestigious Black film festival. Each year, it screens more than 150 films made by and/or about people of African descent from around the world. PAFF holds the distinction of being the largest Black History Month event in the country. 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.
PAFF is a non-profit corporation, founded in 1992 by award-winning actor Danny Glover (“The Color Purple,” “Lethal Weapon” movie franchise), Emmy Award-winning actress Ja’Net DuBois (best known for her role as Willona in the TV series, “Good Times”) and executive director, Ayuko Babu, an international legal, cultural and political consultant who specializes in Pan African Affairs. PAFF is dedicated to the promotion of ethnic and racial respect and tolerance through the exhibit of films, art and creative expression.
The goal of PAFF is to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images, help to destroy negative stereotypes and depict an expanded vision of the Black experience. PAFF believes film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, ethnicities, and lifestyles in an entertaining way while at the same time, serving as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.
For more information, please visit www.paff.org,
