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Black History Month Continues in Los Angeles
with Red Carpet Opening of Pan African Film & Arts Festival and IKEA Collaboration ‘All Artists Have A Seat at the Table’
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The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) is thrilled to announce its continued partnership with the global brand IKEA. The two will come together to amplify the creative brilliance of Black artists from around the world as they unveil the 3rd installment of “All Artists Have a Seat at The Table,” a unique campaign that not only shines a light on fine Black Art, but also inspires collaboration in unlikely places, while showcasing the artists behind the work.
- The 2024 campaign will launch February 8, at 6 p.m. with a red carpet opening and reception at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.
- This glamorous event will mark the official unveiling of the “All Artists Have a Seat at the Table” furniture presented by IKEA including a panel discussion by some of its featured artists.
- The annual event will boast an array of art lovers, film enthusiasts, and some of Hollywood’s top A-listers observing the beautiful artwork, and shopping for unique pieces to add to their collections.
- PAFF has curated a special group of artists who will display their brilliance by turning wooden dining furniture provided by IKEA, into colorful pieces of functional fine art. Each one-of-a-kind piece will showcase the style and culture of the artists, while also celebrating a brand that has serviced the home décor needs of families across the nation for many years.
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WHAT: |
Red carpet opening of ‘All Artists Have A Seat at the Table’ Exhibit |
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WHEN: |
Thursday, February 8, 2024 @6 p.m. |
| WHERE: |
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw 3560 MLK Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, 2nd Floor |
About PAFF
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.
For more information, please visit paff.org.
Hashtags: #PAFF and #PAFFNow
Twitter: @PAFFNow
Instagram: @PAFFNow
Facebook: facebook.com/PAFFNow
RAIN OR SHINE—Nick Cannon, Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence and more to Join Black Hollywood in Kicking Off Nation’s Largest Black History Month Event
32nd Pan African Film & Arts Festival Starts Wednesday in Los Angeles with red carpet world premiere of music comedy ‘A Hip Hop Story’
LOS ANGELES - The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) will open with the world premiere of the music comedy “A Hip Hop Story” at its 32nd Opening Night Gala. Once again, PAFF will host a dazzling red carpet gala featuring an array of renowned celebrities, filmmakers, and cultural luminaries setting the stage for a two-week-long celebration of Black culture, storytelling, and creativity. PAFF will present an unforgettable evening filled with the glitz, glamour, and the magic of cinema with a red carpet of veritable who's who of the entertainment industry, with stars from Hollywood and the global film community coming together to support the festival's mission of showcasing diverse voices and stories.
WHO:
Danny Glover
Affion Crockett
Arsenio Hall
Craig Wayans
Damaine Radcliff
Damien Dante Wayans
Eddie Murphy
Flex Alexander
Fredro Starr
Greg Mack
Martin Lawerence
Nick Cannon
Norm Nixon Jr.
Omar Dorsey
Ras Kass
Robert Townsend
Robin Hemmingway
Shawn Wayans
Snoop Dogg
Lil Rel
Damien Dante Wayans
Novi Brown
Amin Joseph
John Salley
Jahking Guillory
Johnell Young
Comedian Shawn Wayans
Actor/director Robert Townsend
Comedian Tiffany Haddaish
Wendy Raquel Robinson
Vanessa Estelle Williams
Cory Hardict
Comedian Torrei Hart
Comedian Luenell
Omar J. Dorsey
Nicki Micheaux
WHAT:
Opening Night of the 32nd Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival World Premiere of “A Hip Hop Story”
WHEN: Wednesday, February 7, 2024
5:30PM Red Carpet
7PM Program/Screening
WHERE: Writers Guild of America Theater
135 S Doheny Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
For more information, please visit paff.org.
Where My Memory Began – Nominated for Best Short at PAFF 2024
Writer and Director: Priscillia Kounkou Hoveyda
"WHERE MY MEMORY BEGAN", a 9 min experimental short doc that lyrically tells the story of the fallen 400-year-old Cotton tree that saw the capital city of Sierra Leone, West Africa, take on the name "freedom town", today's Freetown, after freed slaves from the US and Canada decided to return to Africa to find freedom some hundreds years ago. In addition to PAFF and although it is not public info, we are also an official selection for Aspen Shortfest and are excited to hear from other prestigious film festivals.
LOST ANGEL: The Genius Of Judee Sill Acquired by Greenwich Entertainment, In Theaters April 12th
Music Documentary Exec Produced by Actor/Musician Maya Hawke and Best-selling author Cheryl Strayed World Premiered at DOC NYC
Los Angeles, CA – February 6, 2024 - Greenwich Entertainment announced today the acquisition of North American distribution rights to Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill directed by Andy Brown and Brian Lindstrom (Alien Boy: The Life & Death of James Chasse). The Onwards and Upwards, Batterymarch Films, and Submarine Deluxe production had its World Premiere at DOC NYC and Greenwich will release the film in theaters on April 12.
An intimate portrait of a one-of-a-kind singer-songwriter from 1970s Los Angeles, the documentary charts the life of Judee Sill from a troubled adolescence that included armed robbery and prison through her meteoric rise in the music world and tragic early death. In just over two years, Judee went from living in a car to a deal with Asylum Records and the cover of Rolling Stone . As told by Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, David Geffen and JD Souther -- along with Judee herself -- the film explores Judee’s unique musical style and the inspiring recent rediscovery of her singular music by a new generation of musicians including Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes, Adrianne Lenker and Buck Meek of Big Thief, Shawn Colvin and Weyes Blood.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Greenwich to bring the singular music and life story of Judee Sill both to her devoted fans as well as the wider audience that eluded her during her lifetime.” remarks director-producer Brian Lindstrom. “While Judee’s grace-filled songs seem at odds with the grittier elements of her personal life, her journal entries and audio interviews provide an intimate window into how this complex singer/songwriter transformed personal pain into musical masterpieces."
Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill was produced by Peter Kenney (Oscar-nominated Joe’s Violin) and Brian Lindstrom with executive producers Maya Hawke (Stranger Things), Cheryl Strayed (Wild) and Dan Braun (Echo in the Canyon). Greenwich’s Andy Bohn negotiated the acquisition with Submarine’s Dan Braun and Ben Schwartz on behalf of the filmmakers.
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 Bookshop starring 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
LindsayLuvzU Productions Announces Debut Screening of “Maharlika Warrior Spirit” at the Pan African Film Festival
Los Angeles, CA - LindsayLuvzU Productions is thrilled to announce the nomination and screening of its most recent film, "Maharlika Warrior Spirit," at the prestigious Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF). The film will debut on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 1:00 PM, and a second screening will follow on Friday, February 16, 2024, at 3:40 PM. These screenings will take place in Los Angeles at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills & XD Movie Theater, located at 4020 Marlton Ave.
"Maharlika Warrior Spirit" is an anti-sex trafficking movie that is set to ignite a movement disguised as a film. This multi-channel production transcends traditional storytelling by using film, music, documentaries, and live events to raise awareness about the sensitive and often overlooked issue of sex trafficking. The story follows Tala, a defense attorney with a strong moral compass, who is forced to confront the ineffectiveness of the law when her best friend becomes a victim of sex trafficking. Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, she awakens to her ancient warrior spirit.
At its very core, the movie is not only a call to action but also a beacon of hope for victims and a rallying cry for societal change. With the movie’s official release, LindsayLuvzU Productions is leading the charge with a vision that differs from its contemporaries, embodying the spirit of innovation akin to the work of Spike Lee.
"LindsayLuvzU Productions stands at the intersection of activism and entertainment, and with 'Maharlika Warrior Spirit,' we aim to not just tell a story, but to spur a cultural metamorphosis," says Lindsay Castillo, founder, and CEO of LindsayLuvzU Productions. "It's time to shine a light on the darkness of sex trafficking, and we are committed to empowering women and inspiring audiences to take action."
The film is part of a larger endeavor by the company, including the documentary, "Traffik ‘n’ Sex, An Anti-Sex Trafficking Movement," which provides a grounded perspective of trafficking through the eyes of survivors. Additionally, the world’s first anti-sex trafficking concept album, "Traffik ‘n’ Sex," is set to engage fans and raise awareness through music.
It is also important to note that LindsayLuvzU Productions' unique approach extends beyond the screen, with the establishment of "Traffik n’ Sex," a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting victims of sex trafficking by connecting safe-houses nationwide and encouraging public discourse on the issue.
For more information about "Maharlika Warrior Spirit" and the non-profit organization, please visit https://maharlikaminiseries.com/.
About LindsayLuvzU Productions
LindsayLuvzU Productions is a cinematic platform for change, founded by the accomplished Lindsay Castillo, whose life experiences have shaped her into a storyteller with a cause. Castillo's journey began i he diverse streets of Oakland, California, where she cultivated her passion for performance and her deep sense of social responsibility. Growing up, she witnessed the challenges of entrepreneurship within her family and the broader community, experiences that instilled in her the drive to pursue her own business ventures with a philanthropic edge.
Castillo's evolution from a student activist engaged in cultural and social justice organizations to a prominent advocate for women's rights and anti-sex trafficking initiatives underscores her dedication to making a substantive impact through her work in the film industry. With LindsayLuvzU Productions, Castillo has found a way to channel her advocacy into creative expression, producing content that doesn't just tell stories but also educates and mobilizes audiences towards action.
This commitment to blending art with activism is deeply personal for Castillo. Her experiences with marginalized communities, her active role in pivotal social movements, and her educational background in broadcast arts and gender studies have all contributed to her unique perspective as a filmmaker and activist. LindsayLuvzU Productions is not just a company but a reflection of Castillo's lifelong commitment to justice, empowerment, and the belief that change begins with powerful storytelling.
Contact Information
Lindsay Castillo
LLU@LindsayLuvzU.com
510-543-3923
https://maharlikaminiseries.com/
Empowering Hearts: 19-Year-Old Refugee Girl Champions Mental Wellness for Refugee Youth Spotlighted in Documentary, Pan African Film Festival World Premiere
Los Angeles, Cali. (Feb. 5, 2024) –
As a child of Rwandan refugees, Divine Mugisha
has been living in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp since she was nine months old. Extreme poverty, hunger, and mental health challenges plague the camp. Despite facing these hardships herself, Divine advocates for education access and mental health services for her refugee community.
As a young advocate, she founded the Supportive Pillar Organization (SPO) to help youth stay in school. During the development of SPO, she discovered that mental health issues were a serious obstacle preventing people in the camp from continuing their education. Divine realizes that she must now leave her lifelong home, friends, and family to pursue her own education so that she can better address the tragic mental health issues at the camp.
The powerful documentary short "A Divine Journey" follows Divine through her
personal journey volunteering, teaching and serving others as she aspires for higher
education and awaits acceptance to university.
The world premiere of “A Divine Journey" will be at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles on Feb. 10, 2024 at Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw.
The story examines how an underserved yet dedicated and determined young woman
can change the world for many. Audiences will witness a passionate young woman
who defies the odds and rises above her hardships as she starts a non-profit cause
and serves her community at Dzaleka refugee camp.
The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) showcases a broad array of Black creative works from the world over, highlighting those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. The festival spotlights over 200 films elevated by black filmmakers with subject matter by African talent, telling stories about Africans and people with African descent.
“We work to produce documentaries that spotlight positive stories from Africa,” said
Ivanovitch Ingabire, Burundi based co-director of ”A Divine Journey.”
"I am honored and proud to bring Divine's inspiring journey to the Pan African Film
Festival," said Annette King, the producer and co-director of the documentary from
Splicer Films. “We see this as an opportunity to uplift an inspiring yet underrepresented story about a young African changemaker solving issues at a grassroots level. By telling Divine’s inspirational story, we aim to foster resilience,
compassion, and empowerment to bring about change in the world around us”
"A Divine Journey" will screen at the upcoming Pan African Film Festival, along with other films including narrative short film "Kingdom On The Coast" and the comedy special "We're Pregnant and Other Lies". All three films are directed by African filmmakers and talent that come from diverse backgrounds who aim to share diverse
stories of underrepresented groups from new perspectives.
Pan African Film Festival(PAFF) is the largest and most prestigious Black film festival in the United States. From 100 million dollar blockbuster premieres to newly emerging Hollywood talent, PAFF showcases a broad array of Black creative works from the world over, highlighting those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. PAFF is a unique opportunity to come together through film and
art to explore new worlds, meet new people and acquire new information and ideas.
For more information, visit: bit.ly/paff-2024
For more information on the the cause in the film, visit Supportive Pillar Organization
(SPO) website: https://www.supportivepillarorganisation.org/
About Splicer Films:
Splicer Films is a Palo Alto based production company focused on telling stories of purpose and impact that inspire audiences to create a better world. https://www.splicerfilms.com/
Additional Films by Splicer Films:
Additional documentaries by Palo Alto based Impact Producer, Annette King are
"Finding Ubuntu" and “Fear Not”.
“Finding Ubuntu” follows the inspiring journey of Maick Mutej, a refugee who emerges as a human rights advocate for thousands of refugees.Maick's story exemplifies resilience, compassion, and the transformative impact of community based organizations.
“Fear Not” explores a passionate grassroots changemaker, Evelyne Keomian, in her
quest to break the cycle of poverty through education for her communities in Côte
d'Ivoire and Silicon Valley.
For more information about Splicer Films event screenings, visit: bit.ly/SFFESTS
“Anecdotals” Screening at the Pan African Film and Arts Festival
. "Anecdotals" is a compassionate exploration of the nuanced vaccine debate, that focuses on questions—not answers, and people—not politics. This is not a divisive movie and should not be considered controversial at all, but unfortunately it is.
Everyone has been affected by the COVID vaccine debates and many of us have lost families and friends over differing POVs. We need to get better at respecting diverse opinions and disagreeing without fighting. Anecdotals is a big step in opening the conversation and creating awareness, and will bring people together.
“Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land” Screening at the Pan African Film and Arts Festival
Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land is a stirring 2023 documentary produced by NBC personality Al Roker and written and directed by Emmy-nominated Director Eternal Polk. In addition to being selected for PAFF, Director Eternal Polk has also been nominated for a Jury Prize: Best Director – First Feature Documentary.
In the post-enslavement era, Black Americans acquired millions of acres of farmland, 90% of which is no longer in Black hands due to violence, eminent domain, and discrimination. But a lesser-known issue, “Heirs' Property,” has had a devastating effect on Black land ownership. This film spotlights the legacy of Black farming in America and how landowners are now reclaiming their agricultural rights and forging paths to generational wealth.
Screening Dates/Times/Location
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- February 8 - 9pm
- February 13 - 3:45pm
- Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw - 3650 Martin Luther King Jr, Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90008
The film recently won the 2024 Jury Prize at Brand Storytelling in Park City, Utah, an officially sanctioned event of the Sundance Film Festival. In addition to this award, Gaining Ground has racked up 18 festival selection laurels and the following awards at prestigious film festivals:
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- Best Documentary - FILMTEENTH International Film Festival - 2023
- Best Feature Documentary - Essence Film Festival - 2023
- Best Documentary Feature - DC Black Film Festival - 2023
- Audience Choice Award - DC Black Film Festival - 2023
- Best Documentary - BronzeLens Film Festival - 2023
- Best Feature Film - Detroit Black Film Festival - 2023
- Best Documentary Marcom Award - Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP) 2023
- Best Trailer - Carolina Film Festival - 2023
Documentary from John Deere and Al Roker Entertainment Puts the Spotlight on Land Ownership Challenges Facing Black Farmers
MOLINE, Illinois (June 13, 2023) – Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) and Al Roker Entertainment today announced a new documentary focused on the legacy of Black farming in America and the devastating impact of heirs’ property – property passed to family members by inheritance, usually without a will or proper estate planning. Without a clear title, Black farmers are unable to qualify for government assistance, equipment financing or agricultural programs designed to optimize their land. In 2020, John Deere created the LEAP Coalition in partnership with the National Black Growers Council and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to provide resources for farmers and landowners to resolve heirs’ property issues.
“This film serves as an important platform for Black farmers to delve into their history while also discussing impactful ways to sustain agriculture and places to go for help with legislation and available grants,” said Al Roker, executive producer. “The organizations featured in the film are creating change and it’s one of the reasons our company was so interested in getting involved with this important work.”
Created in partnership with Emmy-nominated director Eternal Polk, the documentary, Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land, addresses how landowners are reclaiming their agricultural rights and their paths to generational wealth. The film will debut at the American Black Film Festival in Miami on June 15, 2023, and appear in screenings across the country this summer.
“Documentaries can offer a lens into history and shed light on a forgotten or untold story. It's more than just a form of storytelling, it's a way to offer new viewpoints on an issue, create lasting dialogue, and drive change,” said Gaining Ground director Eternal Polk. “With Deere’s support, we were honored to help bring this important story to life. This documentary provides resources to those who are dealing with heirs’ property and shows others how they can get involved to support this cause.”
Black land ownership peaked in 1910 at 16 to 19 million acres, which was about 14 percent of total arable land in the United States. A century later, 90 percent of Black-owned land has been lost, and heirs' property has been the leading cause for that decline. The documentary shines a spotlight on the challenges Black farmers and landowners’ must navigate to preserve their land for future generations. The film additionally showcases subject matter experts and practitioners who are actively working to address these issues.
"For farmers, land provides more than a livelihood, it provides a legacy. For far too long, Black farmers have had to deal with often coercive constraints, barriers and systems that result in involuntary loss of land, economic value and wealth. This documentary provides an opportunity for folks to tell their stories, highlight injustice and hopefully serve as a catalyst for concerted action to address this little known but important and pervasive issue” said Marc Howze, Senior Advisor, Office of the Chairman, Deere and Company. "The message of this documentary is clear: We need to do more to help Black farmers and landowners unlock the tremendous value in the land they already own to help us feed, clothe and shelter a growing population while pursuing opportunities to build wealth and provide a legacy for future generations.”
ABOUT THE LEAP COALITION
John Deere created the LEAP Coalition in 2020 in partnership with the National Black Growers Council and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The LEAP Coalition provides legal, educational and other resources to help farmers and landowning families gain clear title of their land. It works to unlock economic value for farmers, while also eliminating systemic barriers to wealth building faced by Black farmers and other historically disadvantaged communities.
To learn more about the LEAP Coalition, to help Black farmers, and provide support to support LEAP coalition partners visit: https://www.deere.com/gainingground.
To learn more about the documentary, visit: https://gaininggroundthefilm.com/.
About John Deere
Deere & Company (www.JohnDeere.com) is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what's possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology-enabled products including John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor and tillage solution, See & Spray™, and E-Power Backhoe are just some of the ways we help meet the world's increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial.
For more information on Deere & Company, visit us at www.deere.com/en/news/.
About Al Roker Entertainment
Formed in 1994, Al Roker Entertainment (ARE) is an industry-leading producer of original, award-winning TV programs and digital content. Led by 14-time Emmy winning TV personality and trusted media authority Al Roker, ARE partners with a creative consortium of producers, directors, writers, agencies, and talent to ideate, produce, activate, and amplify original content globally, using a variety of broadcast, cable, OTT, social, and streaming platforms. ARE works with brands, non-profits, ad agencies, and PR companies to generate and inspire audiences through social impact branded entertainment storytelling.