Elizabeth Hurley stars in son’s Damian Hurly directorial debut ‘STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL’ – in Theaters, Digital and On Demand on April 5th, 2024: Watch the Trailer

ACD00954 a

Director and Writer: Damian Hurley
Featuring: Elizabeth Hurley, Georgia Lock, Lauren McQueen, Freddie Thorp, Genevieve Gaunt
Rating: R
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 1 hour 29 minutes

Elizabeth Hurley and Georgia Lock star in a sensual thriller with a devilish twist. On the anniversary of Rebecca’s (Lauren McQueen) death, Mia (Lock) returns to the Caribbean paradise where she and her best friend shared her final days. As Mia and sets out to unravel the mysterious events of her passing, old passions rise, new secrets are uncovered and Mia is pulled into a seductive world of sex, betrayal and murder.

LOST ANGEL: The Genius Of Judee Sill- Releasing in the United States and Canada on April 12

Greenwich logo
LOST ANGEL_The Genius Of Judee Sill_POSTER (Credit_ Greenwich Entertainment)

Directors: Andy Brown and Brian Lindstrom
Featuring: David Geffen, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, JD Souther, Shawn Colvin, W eyes Blood, Big Thief, Fleet Foxes and many more
Run Time: 1 hour 31 minutes
Language: English
Rating: Not Rated
Genre: Documentary Feature
Country: United States

LOST ANGEL: THE GENIUS OF JUDEE SILL will be released theatrically in New York (IFC Center), Los Angeles (Laemmle Noho), Portland (Cinema 21) and key cities on April 12, 2024 with a VOD release on all major platforms in the United States and Canada.

 

About Greenwich Entertainment 

Founded in 2017, Greenwich Entertainment is an independent film distribution company specializing in compelling documentaries and distinctive narrative features.  Releases include the Academy Award-winning Free Solo, Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s The Rescue, Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice from Oscar winners Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, Andrew Slater’s Echo in the Canyon, Matt Tyrnauer’s Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood, Quentin Dupieux’s Deerskin starring Oscar winner Jean Dujardin, Isabel Coixtet’s The Bookshopstarring Emily Mortimer and Academy Award nominees Patricia Clarkson and Bill Nighy, and Madeleine Olnek’s Wild Nights with Emily starring Molly Shannon.  Upcoming releases include Sorry/Not Sorry and Shoshana directed by Michael Winterbottom.  GreenwichEntertainment.com

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Instagram & Facebook: @judeesilldoc
X/Twitter: @judeedoc

Directors: Andy Brown and Brian Lindstrom
Featuring: David Geffen, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, JD Souther,  Shawn Colvin, W eyes Blood, Big Thief, Fleet Foxes and many more Producers: Peter Kenney (Joes' Violin) and Brian Lindstrom
Executive Produced by: Actor/Musician Maya Hawke, Best-selling author Cheryl Strayed, Peter Kenney and Dan Braun

Publicity Contact
Emma Griffiths/ EG PR (she/her)
                          emma@eg-pr.com

BET+ ANNOUNCES ITS NEWEST DRAMATIC FILM “FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH” PREMIERING ON MARCH 7th 

Highlighting mental health issues within an emotionally charged family dynamic, the film is the second feature under the BET Her Presents: The Couch banner 

February 26, 2024 - Los Angeles, CA – Today, BET+ announced the premiere of its newest original film “For What It's Worth,” an emotionally charged drama that delves into family, redemption, and the urgent need for mental health support within the Black community.

Starring Patrice Covington (Genius), Leslie Black (Chicago Med), Kevin Savage (Game of Deceit), and Jared Wofford (The Final Say), For What It’s Worth is set to premiere on March 7th, exclusively on BET+.

Written by LaJill Hunt, For What It’s Worth follows Naomi Samuels, a successful physician who finds herself publicly humiliated and suddenly unemployed. Naomi reluctantly returns to her hometown to reconnect with the foster care siblings she's neglected for years. Hopeful to regain control of her life, Naomi and her siblings face a challenge that takes them all over the edge.

The film also stars Angelo Diaz (ATL Homicide), Jermel Howard (Luke Cage), Ashley Sam Ramsey (The Detour), CJ Williams (Law & Order), gospel artist Pastor Mike, Jr., and more.

"Everyone deserves to be heard, seen, and supported emotionally, spiritually, and physically, said director Courtney Arlett. “My hope is that For What It's Worth helps to shine a light on the tremendous need for growth in mental health support within our community.”

For What It’s Worth further solidifies BET Networks’ commitment to dialogue around mental health issues faced by communities of color. The film is the second feature under the BET Her Presents: The Couch franchise.

“BET+ is delighted to bring For What It’s Worth to the streamer. BET Networks is dedicated to supporting and celebrating Black women in front of and behind the camera while bringing awareness to important issues directly affecting the Black community,” said Lorisa Bates, VP, Content Strategy, Co-Productions & Multiplatform at BET.

Executive produced by Loretta Edwards Wilson and Christopher A. Nolen, For What It's Worth is produced by Wilson, Patt Stevens, and Gregory Anderson and co-produced by Lem Collins along with Jared Wofford. Ronald “Wink” Woodall of The Talent Connect served as consulting producer.

For What It’s Worth was produced by A Bold Move Media. The company produces content to uplift, entertain, and portray women of color in ways rarely seen in media.

About “BET Her Presents: The Couch:”
Aimed at raising awareness around mental health, BET Her Presents: The Couch is a series of poignant short films depicting the realities of mental illness.

Contacts:
For Bold Move Media:
Loretta Wilson loretta@aboldmovemedia.com

For BET+:
Aaron Bastian aaron.bastian@bet.net
Autumn Griffin autumn.griffin@bet.net

Aaron Bastian
Sr. Director, Publicity and Communications, BET+
C: 323-574-6499
1041 N. Formosa Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90046

The 35th annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony was held on Sunday, February 25 2024 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom, Ovation Hollywood at Hollywood and Highland.

The list of the Producers Guild’s winners are as follows:

DARRYL F. ZANUCK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRODUCER OF THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

Oppenheimer - WINNER

American Fiction
Anatomy of a Fall
Barbie
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Past Lives
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest

AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRODUCER OF ANIMATED THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - WINNER

The Boy and the Heron
Elemental
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRODUCER OF DOCUMENTARY MOTION PICTURES

American Symphony - WINNER
20 Days in Mariupol
Beyond Utopia
The Disappearance of Shere Hite
The Mother of All Lies
Smoke Sauna Sisterhood
Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis)

NORMAN FELTON AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRODUCER OF EPISODIC TELEVISION – DRAMA

Succession - WINNER
The Crown
The Diplomat
The Last of Us
The Morning Show

DANNY THOMAS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRODUCER OF EPISODIC TELEVISION – COMEDY

The Bear - WINNER

Barry
Jury Duty
Only Murders in the Building
Ted Lasso

DAVID L. WOLPER AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRODUCER OF LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES TELEVISION

Beef - WINNER

All the Light We Cannot See
Daisy Jones and the Six
Fargo
Lessons in Chemistry

AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRODUCER OF TELEVISED OR STREAMED MOTION PICTURES

Black Mirror: Beyond the Sea - WINNER

Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie
Quiz Lady
Reality
Red, White & Royal Blue

AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRODUCER OF NON-FICTION TELEVISION

Welcome to Wrexham - WINNER

60 Minutes
The 1619 Project
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life
Being Mary Tyler Moore

AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRODUCER OF LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, VARIETY, SKETCH, STANDUP & TALK TELEVISION

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver WINNER

Carol Burnett: 90 Years Of Laughter + Love
Chris Rock: Selective Outrage
Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer
Saturday Night Live

AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRODUCER OF GAME & COMPETITION TELEVISION

RuPaul’s Drag Race - WINNER

The Amazing Race
Squid Game: The Challenge
Top Chef
The Voice

Award for Outstanding Sports Program

Beckham - WINNER

100 Foot Wave
Formula 1: Drive to SurviveHard Knocks: Training Camp With the New York Jets
Shaun White: The Last Run

AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Sesame Street  - WINNER

Goosebumps
Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
The Velveteen Rabbit

AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SHORT-FORM PROGRAM

Succession: Controlling the Narrative - WINNER

Carpool Karaoke
I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson
The Last of Us: Inside the Episode
Only Murders in the Building: One Killer Question

PGA INNOVATION AWARD

Body of Mine - WINNER

The Eye and I
JFK Memento
Letters From Drancy
MLK: Now Is the Time
Ocean of Light: Dolphins VR
Our Ocean Our Future
Out of Scale, A Kurzgesagt Adventure
Reimagined
Space Explorers: Blue Marble Trilogy
Wallace & Gromit in the Grand Getaway
The World’s Largest Tailgate

View New Clip of Live Taiko Performance: Global TVOD/Digital Release of Critically Acclaimed Music Doc “Finding Her Beat” & The Simultaneous Full Concert Release of the HERBeat Concert that Inspired the Film

“Finding Her Beat” is directed by Dawn Mikkelson (“Minnesota Mean,” “Risking Light") and Keri Pickett (“First Daughter and the Black Snake,” “The Fabulous Ice Age”)who  is also the director of photography; produced by Jennifer Weir (Executive Director of TaikoArts Midwest, Artistic Director of Enso Daiko) and  Dawn Mikkelson;  additional cinematography by  Shiho Fukada  (“Mosaic Street”), Caroline Mariko Stucky (“Caissa”),  and Dawn Mikkelson; with original music by Me-Lee Hay  (“Better Watch Out,” “Last Tree Standing”) and edited by  Dawn Mikkelson, Sam Kaiser (“Road to Damascus,” “Inside”), Keri Pickett , and Carrie Shanahan (“Irv de Toilette,” Goodbye Hello”).

In the midst of a frozen Minnesota winter, a Japanese drum master and a Korean adoptee from North Dakota join forces to assemble the world’s greatest Taiko drummers in a bold effort to claim a cultural spotlight that has historically been reserved only for men. Their rhythm revolution includes rock stars from the world of Taiko: Tiffany Tamaribuchi, Kaoly Asano, Chieko Kojima, Megan Chao-Smith, and Jennifer Weir   . Through grueling rehearsals, Jennifer weaves together their disparate voices and styles as vulnerability, pain, and joys are shared—and we quickly see bonds of friendship form as these talented women navigate through differences in culture, age, language, and performance styles. As the clock ticks toward their first performance, it becomes clear that their story has become much larger than Taiko.

Through the perspective of the five main artists, “Finding Her Beat”    explores the themes of cultural and racial identity, the challenges professional marginalized gender artists face, the artists’ passion for a subculture designed to keep them on the outside, and the burgeoning hope that this historic event marks the beginning of a new era of Taiko – for everyone. Told both verbally and nonverbally, in silence and thundering percussion, the film organically unfolds in the lived moments of these artists. By providing a character-driven format, not only is the subject matter fresh to the majority of audiences, it creates a challenge and narrative tension for Japanese performers whose traditional culture stresses the importance of the separation between private and public lives. “Finding Her Beat”    artists opened their hearts, followed by a massive public performance – the last before COVID-19 changed the world of performing arts. This is an important story of women paving their own road by banging their own drum.

TODAY, FINAL DAY OF THE 32ND PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL

PAFF Logo

Highlights include Filmmaker Awards Brunch, spotlight screening of ‘Genius: MLK/X’, ArtFest, and dozens of screenings of films

The last day of the Pan African Film & Arts Festival is today, Monday, February 19, 2024.

The film festival will take place at Cinemark Baldwin Hills & XD and the ArtFest featuring over 100 fine artists from throughout the African Diaspora will take place at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza and Cinemark Baldwin Hills & XD, 4020 Marlton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90008.

The events today include ARTFEST from 10AM - 9PM at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. The PAFF  ArtFest features over 100 established and emerging fine artists and unique craftspeople from all over the world. With an artistic aesthetic that is rooted in Africa and its Diaspora, featured artists present their creative works using oil on canvas, watercolor and pastels, acrylic paper, glass, ceramics, metal, cloth, plastic, wax, wire, leather, and stone. In addition to fine art and one-of-a-kind crafts, the ArtFEST also features the best in designer and traditional fashions, jewelry, home decor, fashion accessories and so much more!

Representing the perfect mix of both art and culture, the PAFF ArtFEST brings out over 100K+ visitors from all over Los Angeles, across the country, and around the world.

FILMMAKER AWARDS BRUNCH is at 11: 00 a.m. at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 2nd Floor Bridge

Celebrating the best in Black independent storytelling at the 2024 PAFF Filmmaker Awards Brunch and announcing the winners of this year’s film festival audience and jury awards.

‘GENIUS: MLK/X’ will screen at 7:00 p.m. at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills & XD.

ABOUT THE FILM

GENIUS: MLK/X follows both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Kelvin Harrison, Jr.) and Malcom X (Aaron Pierre) from their formative years, where they were molded by strong fathers and traumatic injustices, to their rich, parallel stories as they shaped their identities and became the change they wished to see in the world. The docudrama series offers an intimate look into their complex lives as husbands, fathers, brothers and sons, taking them off the iconic T-shirts to show their humanity. GENIUS: MLK/X brings their wives, Coretta Scott King (Weruche Opia) and Betty Shabazz (Jayme Lawson), who are often portrayed as peripheral figures, to the forefront and shows them as formidable equals of the Movement. Episodes will explore the moments between the monumental historical events we’ve come to know and shine a light on how each leader and those closest to them questioned their resolve and decisions as they navigated the rigors of balancing a public persona with a private life. While King and X met only once and often challenged each other’s views, neither would have been as successful without the other.

Following the screening there will be a Q&A with Reggie Rock Bythewood – Executive Producer, Gina Prince-Bythewood – Executive Producer, Raphael Jackson Jr. – Executive Producer and Showrunner, Damione Macedon – Executive Producer and Showrunner and Weruche Opia, who protrays Coretta Scott King.

ABOUT THE PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL:

The 32nd Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) makes its return to Los Angeles February 6-19, 2024 at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills XD and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza to present and showcase a broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes of Africans and African-Americans.

Since 1992, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, PAFF has remained dedicated to the promotion of Black stories and images through the exhibition of film, visual art, and other creative expression. Today, PAFF is one of the largest and most prestigious Black film festivals in the U.S. and attracts local, national, and international audiences. In addition, it is an Oscar-qualifying festival for animation and live-action films, and one of the largest Black History Month events in America.

PAFF is supported in part by the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, LA Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, LA Councilmember Curren Price, LA Councilmember Heather Hutt, LA County Department of Arts and Culture, the LA County COVID-19 Arts Relief Fund administered by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture, Senator Steve Bradford, and Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas.

The 2024 PAFF is possible through the generous support of sponsors including Color Creative, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Stocker Street Creative, Disney, Andscape, BET+, Paramount Pictures, National Geographic, Black Alliance for Justice Immigration, Cal State University, Los Angeles.

For more information, please visit paff.org.

PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL CLOSING NIGHT TO HOST WORLD PREMIERE OF MARIO VAN PEEBLES’ ‘POSSE’ SEQUEL ‘OUTLAW POSSE’

OFFICIAL PAFF 2024

The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) will close out its 32nd film festival with the world premiere of Mario Van Peebles’ “Outlaw Posse” starring Van Peebles, Whoopi Goldberg, and Cedric The Entertainer today, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills & XD, 4020 Marlton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90008.

In attendance will be actor and director Mario Van Peebles, “Outlaw Posse” cast including Cedric the Entertainer, John Carrol Lynch, Neil McDonough. Other luminaries include elected officials, foreign dignitaries, and celebrity talent

ABOUT THE PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL:

The 32nd Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) makes its return to Los Angeles February 6-19, 2024 at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills XD and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza to present and showcase a broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes of Africans and African-Americans.

Since 1992, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, PAFF has remained dedicated to the promotion of Black stories and images through the exhibition of film, visual art, and other creative expression. Today, PAFF is one of the largest and most prestigious Black film festivals in the U.S. and attracts local, national, and international audiences. In addition, it is an Oscar-qualifying festival for animation and live-action films, and one of the largest Black History Month events in America.

PAFF is supported in part by the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, LA Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, LA Councilmember Curren Price, LA Councilmember Heather Hutt, LA County Department of Arts and Culture, the LA County COVID-19 Arts Relief Fund administered by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture, Senator Steve Bradford, and Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas.

The 2024 PAFF is possible through the generous support of sponsors including Color Creative, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Stocker Street Creative, Disney, Andscape, BET+, Paramount Pictures, National Geographic, Black Alliance for Justice Immigration, Cal State University, Los Angeles.

 

BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS CONTINUE SATURDAY AT THE PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL

OFFICIAL PAFF 2024

The last weekend of the Pan African Film & Arts Festival.  The film festival will take place at Cinemark Baldwin Hills & XD and the ArtFest featuring over 100 fine artists from throughout the African Diaspora will take place at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. Below is a highlight of events on Saturday, February 17, 2024. For more information, please visit www.paff.org.

Today, Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Cinemark Baldwin Hills & XD, 4020 Marlton Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90008. Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 3650 MLK Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008

10AM - ARTFEST
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza
The PAFF  ArtFest features over 100 established and emerging fine artists and unique craftspeople from all over the world. With an artistic aesthetic that is rooted in Africa and its Diaspora, featured artists present their creative works using oil on canvas, watercolor and pastels, acrylic paper, glass, ceramics, metal, cloth, plastic, wax, wire, leather, and stone. In addition to fine art and one-of-a-kind crafts, the ArtFEST also features the best in designer and traditional fashions, jewelry, home decor, fashion accessories and so much more!

Representing the perfect mix of both art and culture, the PAFF ArtFEST brings out over 100K+ visitors from all over Los Angeles, across the country, and around the world.

10:30AM - CHILDREN’S FEST
Cinemark Baldwin Hills & XD
A first look at the new season of Disney’s “Marvels Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur “

12 NOON CHILDREN’S FEST
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 2nd Floor Bridge

Screening will be followed by reading and book signing with “Introducing Brave Brown” author Tiffany Jakcson at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza (2nd Floor Bridge)

6PM - SPOKENWORD FEST
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 2nd Floor Bridge

Step into a world where words dance like flames and emotions paint the air with vibrant hues! Join PAFF for an electrifying evening of poetic prowess at their Spokenword Fest

Feel the rhythm pulsating through your veins as poets take the stage, their voices weaving intricate tapestries of passion, pain, and resilience. From the raw intensity of spoken word to the melodic cadence of lyrical verse, each performance is a journey into the soul of the Black experience.

PAFF INSTITUTE PANELS

All panels take place at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 2nd Floor, Museum of African American Art
All panels are free to the public

FRAME BY FRAME: BLACK EDITORS GUILD PANEL
12 NOON
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 2nd Floor

Great mentors and editors of film, television, and streaming entertainment will discuss the art and craft of storytelling through picture and sound editing.

COLOR OUR SETS IN STYLE PANEL
1PM
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 2nd Floor, Museum of African American Art

Various crafts within the Art Department will discuss and share knowledge on crafting and making sets come alive. These designers will explain and share how they translate Directing vision and the vision of the writer's words and worlds into moving images. They will share their processes to pick and and breakdown scripts to finalize sets.

MAIN MEN MAKING MOVES PANEL
4PM
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 2nd Floor, Museum of African American Art

Discussion with Black leading men in Hollywood about challenges, triumphs and responsibilities of being the Number One Top Billed Talent on the Call Sheet.  Moderated by Amin Joseph (“Snowfall”)

LEADING LADIES IN FILM & TV
6PM
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 2nd Floor, Museum of African American Art

Discussion with Black leading ladies in Hollywood about the challenges, triumphs and responsibilities of being the top billed talent on the call sheet. Moderated by Novi Brown (“Tyler Perry Sistas”), Vanessa Estelle Williams (“911”), Nicki Micheaux (“Lincoln Heights”), and Tamala Jones (“9-1-1 Lone Star”)

HIGHLIGHTED SCREENINGS

THE RHYTHM AND THE BLUES STARRING LEON
5:20PM
Cinemark Baldwin Hills & XD

The true-life story of a blues musician, Eddie Taylor, whose iconic guitar work became the foundation for many of the genres biggest hits. In spite of his tremendous talent he finds himself in relative obscurity as the sideman to his childhood friend, chart topping Jimmy Reed.

Eddie’s fight against the theft of his music, lack of recognition, and industry corruption play against the backdrop of Chicago in the turbulent early 1970’s but his struggles don’t stop there. The British Invasion, landed squarely on the Chicago music scene with young adoring rockers adulation of blues music and its musicians. Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Eddie Taylor were sought after and that admiration in some instances took on a predatory nature which has rarely been seen in films. It is played out subtly but truthfully in this episode.

Actor LEON will be in attendance and participate in a Q&A

BEING BEBE
7PM
Cinemark Baldwin Hills & XD

Immigrating from Cameroon, where Queerness is criminalized, a young man finds his purpose through performance and eventually becomes the very first winner of iconic reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race. Marshall Ngwa (aka BeBe Zahara Benet) came to the US in pursuit of education and discovered his gifts in the art form of drag. Filmed over 15 years, the documentary parallels Marshall’s fight to maintain the trajectory of his career alongside a deep connection with his traditional African roots and family.

Award-winning journalist Jasmyne Cannick will be in conversation with Bebe following screening

ABOUT THE PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL:

The 32nd Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) makes its return to Los Angeles February 6-19, 2024 at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills XD and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza to present and showcase a broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes of Africans and African-Americans.

Since 1992, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, PAFF has remained dedicated to the promotion of Black stories and images through the exhibition of film, visual art, and other creative expression. Today, PAFF is one of the largest and most prestigious Black film festivals in the U.S. and attracts local, national, and international audiences. In addition, it is an Oscar-qualifying festival for animation and live-action films, and one of the largest Black History Month events in America.

PAFF is supported in part by the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, LA Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, LA Councilmember Curren Price, LA Councilmember Heather Hutt, LA County Department of Arts and Culture, the LA County COVID-19 Arts Relief Fund administered by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture, Senator Steve Bradford, and Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas.

The 2024 PAFF is possible through the generous support of sponsors including Color Creative, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Stocker Street Creative, Disney, Andscape, BET+, Paramount Pictures, National Geographic, Black Alliance for Justice Immigration, Cal State University, Los Angeles.

For more information, please visit paff.org.

Glenís Hunter’s Short Narrative ‘Supa Hair’ Premieres at the Pan African Film and Arts Festival

Writer and Director: Glenis Hunter
Writer and Director: Glenis Hunter

Director and Writer: Glenís Hunter
Starring:  Adargiza De Los Santos, Isabel Bonilla, Zahaira Curiel, Daniel Martinez, Luz Ozuna, Magda Rivera, Somali Rose
Runtime: 15 minutes
Genre: Short Narrative

SUPA HAIR stars Isabel (Adargiza De Los Santos), Luna (Somali Rose), Carmen (Luz Ozuna), Sol (Magda Rivera), Female Student (Isabel Bonilla), Running Family Member (Zahaira Curiel), Male Student (Daniel Martinez.

Tells the story of Luna, who after her mother’s passing, a young Dominican girl and her sister move to Arizona where she discovers the hair she so deeply despises actually holds an ancient power.

About the Writer and Director

Glenís Hunter is a New York actress, writer and filmmaker based in LA. She is of Dominican, Black and Native American (Shinnecock) descent. She enjoys creating TV pilots and films that explore her culture and also speak to social oppression.

“I wanted to create a story that would teach, inspire and bring confidence to all the boys and girls growing up that were just like me.  My overall goal for this film is to showcase self-love in a new way.” -Glenís Hunter (Writer/Director)

Director and Writer: Glenís Hunter
Starring:  Adargiza De Los Santos, Isabel Bonilla, Zahaira Curiel, Daniel Martinez, Luz Ozuna, Magda Rivera, Somali Rose
Runtime: 15 minutes
Genre: Short Narrative
Producer: German Edward Morales
Executive producer: Ricky Rosario
Producer: Sara Seligman
Music: Chanell Crichlow
Cinematographer:  Gary Jaquez
Editor: Jeff Osborne
Casting: Morgan Robbins, Kellie Roy
Animation director: Anna Cangellaris

‘Sense and Sensibility’, A Hallmark Mahogany Original, Premieres on Saturday, February 24th at 8:00 p.m. ET

Distributor: B.U.F.O LTD.
Starring: Deborah Ayorinde, Bethany Antonia, Dan Jeannotte, and Akil Largie
Executive Producer: Tia A. Smith
Director: Roger Bobb
Producers: Jeff Beach, Philip Roth and Kristina Kambitova
Script Writer: Tim Huddleston, based on the Novel by Jane Austen
Costume Designer: Kara Saun

SVP Programming & Development, Mahogany Originals, Hallmark Media: Toni Judkins

Hallmark celebrates Loveuary with the premiere of Jane Austen’s ‘Sense and Sensibility’, starring an all-black cast on Saturday, February 24th at 8:00 p.m. ET.

The television special stars   Deborah Ayorinde (Them), Bethany Antonia (House of the Dragon), Dan Jeannotte (The Royal Nanny) and Akil Largie (The Sandman) star in a beautiful period adaptation in Sense and Sensibility, a new, original movie and Mahogany Original, premiering Saturday, February 24 (8 p.m. ET/PT), on Hallmark Channel.  The movie is part of the network’s Loveuary with Jane Austen programming event, honoring the author’s timeless legacy with four all-new original movie premieres, every Saturday in February.  Set in Regency-era England, it features original costumes by Kara Saun (Project Runway) and hair designs by Kim Kimble (Euphoria). Author and historian Vanessa Riley (Island Queen) served as a historical consultant.

Sense and Sensibility tells the story of  how after the loss of their family patriarch, the Dashwood women’s financial circumstances drastically change and they are forced to leave their home for a modest cottage in Devonshire. Soon, practical eldest daughter Elinor (Ayorinde) falls for the equally pragmatic gentleman Edward Ferrars (Jeannotte). Her passionate sister Marianne (Antonia) meanwhile spurns the advances of their steadfast new neighbor Colonel Brandon (Largie) for the much more exciting John Willoughby (Victor Hugo, Riches). When Elinor and Marianne’s romantic prospects do not turn out as hoped, each sister learns to embrace the other’s approach to matters of the heart.