World famous ‘Kendal Mountain Festival’ Tour is coming to North America for the first time in its history – launching Sept 19th 2022

After 42 years – the UK’s leading adventure film and speaker Festival finally brings the best cinematic adventure stories to  audiences in over 75 locations.

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(Denver, CO) The Kendal Mountain Tour is coming to the USA and Canada for the first time this fall bringing a selection of the very best short adventure documentaries to North American audiences. Adventure Entertainment with support from presenting partners  Montane, and OS Maps will bring this epic festival to audiences theatrically across North America (U.S.A. and Canada) in cinemas in more than 75 markets beginning on September 19th.  So what's different about the films you'll see on the Kendal Mountain Tour? Simple – these are films you won't catch elsewhere, incredible stories from award-winning filmmakers with a uniquely British and European slant. It's your chance to discover new people and places, characters you'll instantly warm to, in amazing locations you'll instantly make top of your bucket list.

The program is carefully selected by the team from Kendal Mountain Festival in the UK, which attracts over 20,000 outdoor enthusiasts to this legendary event every year. A similar program tours throughout the UK on an annual basis, and is now available to North American audiences, viewing in theaters across the U.S.

Kendal Mountain Festival, with presenting partners Montane, and OS Maps, will bring the Kendal Mountain Tour throughout the U.S.A. and Canada premiering with Santa Cruz, CA on September 19th, Seattle on September 22nd, Boston on October 4th and Denver on October 5th, before expanding into over 75 additional markets throughout the fall. View the Kendal Mountain Tour trailer here  and get a glimpse into the world of cutting-edge outdoor storytelling, action sports and adventure.

 

The Kendal Mountain Tour is proudly produced in the USA & Canada by Adventure Entertainment.

 

Adventure Entertainment with support from presenting partners Montane, and OS Maps will bring this epic festival to audiences theatrically across North America (U.S.A. and Canada) in cinemas in more than 75 markets beginning on September 19th.  Montane, and OS Maps, as our presenting sponsors will be working collaboratively to share adventure stories with new audiences across the US. The concept is simple. Take the spirit and essence of the premiere adventure festival, the Kendal Mountain Festival, and put it on tour. The result? Fun, great speakers, carefully curated films, bags of inspiration… and yet more fun. ‘Kendal’ is all about adventure, stories of extreme human endurance, breathtaking environments, and adrenaline-fueled excitement. This spirit of adventure and exploration is distilled into a traveling film tour of short adventure films and adventure speakers on stage.

 

"We’re incredibly excited and honored to finally be bringing the Kendal Mountain Tour to our friends across the Atlantic! We’ve worked hard to program the best Festival films alongside hosting great guest speakers at our  live events across North America. Join us for an evening that will celebrate adventure stories from some of the most spectacular places on earth. You’ll be guided through our curation featuring a unique collection of travelers, athletes, activists, and creatives”, says Steve Scott,  Director of Kendal Mountain Festival. 

Matt Hickman, Global Marketing Manager of Montane, says: “We are a long-term supporter of the Kendal Mountain Festival and are looking forward to expanding this support into the North American tour. At Montane, we aim to inspire people to immerse themselves in nature and push their boundaries of what is possible- what better way to do this  than sharing a range of inspirational stories that our industry produces.”

Britain’s national mapping service Ordnance Survey (OS), which operates navigation app OS Maps, has confirmed its support for the ‘Kendal Mountain Film Tour’, with OS Maps joining the new US tour as a Presenting Partner.  The two organizations will combine to host a selection of tales of inspiration and high-quality tools for adventure to new audiences in the US and Canada.

Nick Giles, Managing Director for OS Leisure says: “We are delighted to join together with the ‘Kendal Mountain Film Tour’ on their expansion into the US and Canada. Both our organizations are driven by a shared passion for the outdoors; focusing on encouraging and inspiring more people to explore their local neighborhood or further afield.”

To find theaters near you screening Kendal Mountain Tour, go to: https://us.kendalmountaintour.com/

Film line up coming soon, watch the trailer here.

About Kendal Mountain Festival: Over 40 years ago, back in October 1980, Kendal hosted a new low-key two-day event. Named the  ‘Kendal Mountaineering Film Festival’, visitors experienced  art, seminars, films, photography and - importantly - "two bars". Little did they know what they had started, or how influential the event would become.  As the event grew in stature and popularity it attracted greater audience numbers, plus a veritable 'who's who' from the world of climbing and mountaineering. Yvon Chouinard, Reinhold Messner, Catherine Destivelle, Fred Beckey, Barry Blanchard, Lynn Hill, Jeff Lowe, Tommy Caldwell, Chris Sharma, Ueli Steck and Will Gadd to name but a few of those who have stood on the Kendal stage. And in film, the Festival became globally respected  as a launchpad and international showcase for mountain and outdoor film, premiering or screening such classics as ‘The Bat’,  ‘Five Days One Summer’, ‘Hard Grit’,  ‘Touching The Void’ and more recently ‘Free Solo’, ‘14 Peaks’ and ‘The Rescue’.  ‘Kendal’ became recognized as the main annual social event for outdoor enthusiasts in the UK and Europe, and built its strong international reputation.  Since then, Kendal has gone on to become a global touring film festival spreading across the United Kingdom, China and now coming to the United States and Canada for the first time.

About Adventure Entertainment:
Australian-based, and operating in more than 12 countries, Adventure Entertainment is making literal and metaphorical waves in the adventure film world with more than 10 touring film festivals, and dozens of feature films in recent distribution. Specializing in producing live, eventized, theatrical film screenings, AE is leading the way in innovative, community-based marketing and generating pre, and post-show buzz in the entertainment industry. Adventure Entertainment owns and operates the Women’s Adventure Film Tour, One Ocean Film Tour, Vertical Life Film Tour and RunNation Film Festival. Their recent feature film experience includes releases from National Geographic's;  "Torn",  Red Bull Media House's "La Liste: Everything or Nothing" "Buried”,  from Oscar-winning producers Evan Hayes and Michael Sugar, and  Summer 2022 surf releases "Big Wave Guardians" and  "Five Summer Stories", from MacGillivray Freeman Films. See more at adventureentertainment.com

About Montane:
Pushing the limits of endurance and versatility for almost 30 years, the British outdoor performance specialist, Montane, engineers innovative, lightweight, breathable clothing, and equipment of uncompromised quality for multi-activity adventures, mountain activities and extreme environments. The drive to find, see and do more in the outdoors has driven Montane to evolve for efficiency through a simplified ‘less is more’ approach. The brand works closely with serious mountain professionals, leading adventurers, and top-performance athletes to be at the forefront of developing a clothing range that allows people to be immersed in nature, no matter the environment. Montane uses its unrivalled expertise to create a collection of reliable and versatile running, walking, and mountaineering clothing allowing its wearer to go FURTHER. FASTER in the outdoors.”

About OS Maps:
OS MAPS: HIKING & BIKE TRAILS – Plan hikes, runs & bike rides. Explore the great outdoors the way you want, all while staying safe with OS Maps. Whether you want to hike, bike or run, OS Maps will guide you with amazing trails across the USA. Want to find new places in your local neighborhood? Or plan that next thru-hiking adventure? From breathtaking National Parks to easy walks along the coast, experience the thrill of finding a brand-new trail that you never even knew existed with OS Maps.

Theatrical Booking Contact:
Henry C. Lystad/ Ph: 970.275.1234
E.
henry@adventureentertainment.com

THE PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL PRESENTS ITS NEW ART PROGRAM, “ALL ARTISTS HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE,” SPONSORED BY IKEA  

World-Renowned Artists Have Transformed IKEA Dining Pieces into One-of-a-Kind Designs in Celebration of 30 Years of PAFF 

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The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) is proud to present, “All Artists Have a Seat at the Table,” a new and innovative art program sponsored by IKEA in celebration of 30 Years of PAFF. Under the direction of PAFF's Art Director, Allohn Agbenya, five esteemed artists are contributing their creativity to revamp an IKEA dining set. The furniture has been transformed into individual pieces of art inspired by the theme: PAFF 30, PAFF Roots. The pieces were previously on display at four IKEA stores throughout Southern California and will be viewable at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, April 21 - May 1st.

Marc Brogdon, Marketing Director for PAFF stated, “One of my favorite African Proverbs says, ‘A tree’s beauty lies in its branches, but its strength lies in its roots.’ Utilizing our artists and IKEA wooden furniture to create powerful artwork is the perfect symbolism of our deep-rooted connection to the community.”

“All Artists Have a Seat at the Table,” is a celebration of PAFF and the artistry showcased over the years. For more than three decades, PAFF has united folks across the diaspora—creating an inspiring platform for the partnership with IKEA. “The dining table is the universal space for gathering, our sustainable and accessible furniture provided the perfect blank slate for the artists to illustrate PAFF’s rich legacy and commitment to bringing people together to share the Black experience.” Kevin Matthews, Regional Marketing Manager at IKEA U.S. shared. “As the leader in life at home, we want to celebrate the importance of home and the role it plays for the many. This work naturally demonstrates our core value of togetherness in a vibrant and unique way.”

“As a curator and art director, I selected artists for the IKEA Project whose works of art present an array of diasporic characteristics that borrow from the broad field that is our celebrated history & traditions,” said Allohn Agbenya, PAFF Art Director. “Africa and her global artistic roots and outreach have been influential on every continent. Rich in texture, proverbial wisdom, beauty, and evolutionary flow.”

Participating Artists:

  • Allohn Agbenya (PAFF Art Director)
    Allohn Agbenya is a contemporary artist whose roots celebrate the fibers and cultural pride of West Africa and beyond! Born in Ghana, Agbenya now resides in Los Angeles and is the Production Designer for PAFF as well as the Director/Curator for the ArtFest.
  • Sandra Zebi
    Sandra Zebi is an artist from Sao Paulo, Brazil and came to Los Angeles in 1986, intrigued and inspired by the cultural diversity that the city has to offer.
  • Marvin Obasogie Aimiuwu (MOA)
    MOA started drawing and painting as a child in Nigeria, studied fine art in college, and has pursued artwork full time since coming to the United States.
  • Aziz Diagne
    Aziz Diagne is a multi-media artist from Senegal, West Africa. He grew up amid the traditional art forms of his homeland including rock carving, ceramic and wood sculpture, murals, tapestry, and Thiesoise (reverse painting on glass).
  • Charles A. Bibbs
    A native son of Southern California, Charles Bibbs is an internationally acclaimed artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who has made a significant impact on contemporary arts.

The full program for the 30th annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival will take place in person and virtually, April 19 - May 1, in Los Angeles at its flagship venues the Directors Guild of America, Cinemark Baldwin Hills and XD and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.

About IKEA
At IKEA, the vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people by offering well-designed, functional and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. Ingka Group (Ingka Holding B.V. and its controlled entities) is one of 12 different groups of companies that own and operate IKEA retail under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. Ingka Group has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres. Ingka Group is a strategic partner in the IKEA franchise system, operating 389 IKEA stores in 32 countries – including 52 retail locations in the U.S.

For more information on IKEA U.S., see IKEA-USA.com@IKEAUSANews@IKEAUSA or IKEAUSA on FacebookYouTubeInstagram and Pinterest.

About the Pan African Film & Arts Festival

Established in 1992 by Hollywood veterans Danny Glover (The Color Purple, Lethal Weapon), the late Ja'Net DuBois ("Good Times"), and Ayuko Babu (Executive Director), the Pan African Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has remained dedicated to the promotion of Black stories and images through the exhibition of film, visual art, and other creative expression. Every year, hundreds of filmmakers, fine artists, and unique craftspeople from more than 40 countries and six continents converge in Los Angeles to showcase their work. Annually, PAFF showcases more than 190 new high-quality Black films from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, the South Pacific, Canada and increasingly, Asia. Most importantly, 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 the largest and most prestigious Black film festival in the U.S. and attracts local, national, and international audiences. It is also one of America's largest Black History Month events.

For more information, please visit https://www.paff.org/seatatthetable

Find the Pan African Film Festival on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/paffnow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paffnow  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paffnow
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePanAfricanFilmFestival

Maria Schneider Orchestra with Regina Carter at LA Phil with Leimert Park Village Book Fair Jazz Lounge’s Tribute to Women in Jazz

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Come out for the great music of Maria Scheider Orchestra Featuring Regina Carter at the LA Phil on Friday, March 25, 2022, at 8 p.m.

Stop by BP Hall before the concert, at 6;30 p.m., for the Leimert Park Village Book Fair Jazz Lounge “Tribute to Women in Jazz.” There will be special displays, exhibits, photos, memorabilia, and more.

Get 20% off discount using the code LPVF.

The concert is located at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, home of the LA Phil

LA Phil Music and Artistic Director is Gustavo Dudamel

Pan African Film and Arts Festival Announces Kickoff of Yearlong 30th Celebration With Black History Month Retrospective Series

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Virtual retrospective series to celebrate 30 years of PAFF Feb. 15-28 with ‘Best of PAFF’ Hybrid in-person and virtual festival still set for April in Los Angeles

Jimmy Jean-Louis in Rattlesnakes, which was shown at the 2019 Pan African Film Festival, is among the films to be screened during PAFF's Black History Month Retrospective Series
Jimmy Jean-Louis in Rattlesnakes, which was shown at the 2019 Pan African Film Festival, is among the films to be screened during PAFF's Black History Month Retrospective Series

LOS ANGELES — The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF), one of the largest Black History Month events in America and the largest Black film festival, will kick off its yearlong 30th celebration in February with the first of several specially curated blocks of the festival’s most fascinating, complex and most liked films over the past three decades. Throughout the festival’s 30-year history, PAFF has celebrated Black filmmakers and actors whose work has pushed the envelope in cinema in the US and abroad in Africa and other parts of the world. The Best of PAFF Retrospective Series kicks off with a Black History Month exhibition featuring nearly two dozen cinematic groundbreaking foreign and domestic films. The inaugural Best of PAFF Retrospective Series will take place virtually Feb. 15-28, 2022. Film listings, tickets, and passes are available at paff.org.

To celebrate PAFF’s 30-year milestone, the festival will continue its retrospective series in March highlighting Black female filmmakers and their films.

In addition, the 30th annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival is slated to place April 19-May 1 after being postponed due to the rise of COVID cases in Los Angeles County. The hybrid festival of in-person and virtual screenings will take place in Los Angeles at its flagship venues the Directors Guild of America, Cinemark Baldwin Hills, and XD and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.

The Best of PAFF Retrospective Series is sponsored in part by the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson (8th District), Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price (9th District); the 10th Los Angeles City Council District; the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, LA Arts COVID-19 Relief Fund with the California Community Foundation, and the LA County COVID-19 Arts Relief Fund administered by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture.

About the Pan African Film Festival

Established in 1992 by Hollywood veterans Danny Glover (The Color Purple, Lethal Weapon), the late Ja’Net DuBois (“Good Times”), and Ayuko Babu (Executive Director), the Pan African Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has remained dedicated to the promotion of Black stories and images through the exhibition of film, visual art, and other creative expression.

PAFF is the largest and most prestigious Black film festival in the U.S. and attracts local, national, and international audiences. It is also one of America’s largest Black History Month events.

Find the Pan African Film Festival on:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/paffnow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paffnow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paffnow
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePanAfricanFilmFestival
The PAFF is generously supported by the City of Los Angeles, the Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles County Arts and Culture, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Los Angeles Council District 10.

For more information, please contact press@paff.org.

It’s Back! The 89th Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys for Tots

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After cancellation of the 2020 Hollywood Christmas Parade due
to the COVID 19, Hollywood kicks off the 2021 Christmas Holiday.

The 2021 Hollywood Christmas Parade is co-hosted by parade producer, Laura McKenzie, Montel Williams, Dean Cain, Erick Estrada and special co-host Elizabeth Stanton.

The Grand Marshall is The Talk co-host Sheryl Underwood.

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The celebrities helping to ring in the Christmas Season are, Kariamah Westbrook, Rome Flynn, Lou Ferrigno, Kimberlin Brown, Lynnette Romero, Matt Mauser, French Steward, Lieutenant General James B. Laster USMC (Retired)

The marching bands participating this year are, Gevorkian Dance Academy, PAVA Korean Traditional Band KAYPA, Greenwood Marching Woodman and Irish Guard, LA Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, Maker Empire, Milton High School Marching Band, Penn High School Marching Band, The Los Angeles Catholic Schools Band, LA Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, Mira Costa High Marching Band and Colorguard and Thundersquad Drumline.

The 2021 Hollywood Christmas Parade will be televised on The CW Network and for the international audience on Armed Forces Network.

KEY WEST FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES GOLDEN KEY AWARDS FOR SEAN BAKER, KODI SMIT-MCPHEE AND CLINT BENTLEY

AWARDS CONTENDERS “RED ROCKET,” “THE POWER OF THE DOG,” AND “JOCKEY” TO SCREEN AT FESTIVAL

2021 FESTIVAL RUNS NOVEMBER 17TH -21st

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New York, NY- October 15, 2021 — The Key West Film Festival announced today the recipient of its annual Golden Key Awards, including two new awards honoring Emerging Talent and Breakthrough Florida director.

This year’s Golden Key Award for Excellence in Filmmaking goes to Sean Baker, director of Red Rocket, opening nationwide in December via A24. Baker will attend in person and participate in a discussion with Carlos Aguilar, film critic for the Los Angeles Times, The Wrap and RogerEbert.com, following the film’s screening. Baker’s film Starlet was featured in the first edition of the Key West Film Festival in 2012.

The inaugural Golden Key for Emerging Talent, given to actors who will be destined to grace our screens for years to come, will be presented to Kodi Smit-McPhee for his breakout role in the Netflix release of Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog, which will screen at the festival just as it begins its national theatrical release. Aguilar will host a pre-recorded discussion with Smit-McPhee following the screening, which will serve as the Closing Night film. Smit-McPhee stars alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons, and Kirsten Dunst in the film.

Another inaugural award- the Golden Key for Breakthrough Florida director, recognizing a Florida bred director whose films will be seen widely in the future – will be given to Clint Bentley. A Florida native, Bentley’s Jockey, starring Clifton Collins Jr, will be released by Sony Pictures Classics later this year. The award will be presented by former ESPN anchor Bob Ley following a screening of the film.

Filmmaker Sean Baker
Filmmaker Sean Baker

Sean Baker is a writer, director, producer and editor who has made seven independent feature films over the course of the past two decades. His most recent film was the award-winning The Florida Project (2017) which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was released by A24 in the U.S. Among the many accolades the film received -- including an Oscar nomination for Willem Dafoe for Best Supporting Actor -- Sean was named Best Director by the New York Film Critics Circle. His previous film Tangerine (2015) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and won an Independent Spirit and two Gotham Awards. Starlet (2012) was the winner of the Robert Altman Independent Spirit Award and his previous two features, Take Out (2004) and Prince of Broadway (2008), were both nominated for the John Cassavetes Independent Spirit Award.

Kodi Smit-McPhee
Kodi Smit-McPhee

Kodi Smit-McPhee is an Australian actor known for his critically acclaimed roles as The Boy in The Road, Owen in Let Me In, Norman Babcock in ParaNorman, Alexander in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Nightcrawler in X-Men: Apocalypse, and Dark Phoenix, and the lead role in the prehistoric film Alpha. Upcoming roles include Jane Campion's much anticipated The Power Of The Dog, for which he is already generating major Oscar buzz for Best Supporting Actor.

Filmmaker Clint Bentley Headshot (Credit: Sony Pictures Classics)

Michael Tuckman, Director of Programming of the Key West Film Festival, "We are elated to present these two new awards to Kodi and Clint, whose work will continue to astound, amaze and inspire audiences for decades to come. Kodi’s performance in “Power” is one that immediately places him among the finest actors of his generation. Clint’s steady and intimate portrait of an aging jockey shows the work of director years beyond his directorial debut. Sean continues his mastery of telling the story of American lives, literally on the other side of the tracks, in Red Rocket as he has been doing since his award-winning “Take Out” first graced the screens.”

Visit kwfilmfest.com for full program information – which will be announced on October 19, along with a schedule of events and travel and lodging details.

ABOUT THE KEY WEST FILM FESTIVAL

Honoring creativity, diversity, sustainability and beauty, the Key West Film Festival is an annual celebration of film and filmmakers set to take place November 17-21, 2021.

A diverse, entertaining and artistically rigorous selection of films will be represented through a broad array of categories that offer opportunities for filmmakers, both aspiring and established, to commune and exchange ideas while showing their work to audiences in an historic and artistically vibrant tropical paradise.

For more information, visit our website: https://kwfilmfest.com

Twitter - @keywestfilmfest
Instagram - @keywestfilmfestival
Facebook - Key West Film Festival

#kwff #kwff2021 #tropiccinema

Marla Gibbs Receives the 2,698th Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Marla Gibbs Hollywood Walk of Fame.  Photo: Yevette Renee
Marla Gibbs Hollywood Walk of Fame. Photo: Yevette Renee

Legendary and iconic actress Marla Gibbs was honored with the 2,698th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today.

The emcee for today's event was Rana Ghadban, President and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. And there to help celebrate Marla Gibbs was Mr. Hollywood, Norman Lear and the truly funny and talented Tisha Campbell.

The other celebrities celebrating Marla where, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Kim Whitley, Sherry Sheppard.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ms. Gibbs later moved to Los Angeles, California with her three children where she eventually pursued a career in entertainment.

To prepare herself for her new career she studied at the Performing Arts Society of Los Angeles and took classes at Mafundi Institure and the Watts Writers Workshop.

Gibbs breakout role was as the funny and fiesty maid Florence on Norman Lear's CBS televison show 'The Jeffersons'. After that huge success, she was given the opportunity to bring her original stage play '227' to CBS, where she received credit as Executive Producer.

Gibbs is the co-writer of the theme song for '227' and it is her beautiful voice that is heard singing.

The eight-time NAACP Image Award winner was responsible, along with her daughter, Angela, for bring the Crossroad Theater and Acting school to the community.

Marla was instrumental in providing a place for jazz artist  to showcase the art of music at her renowned jazz supper club 'Marla's Memory Lane.

WARNER BROS. PICTURES‘ SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY PRESENTS…THE PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL TRIBUTE AWARD HONORS

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The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) announced today it will broadcast its 29th annual Tribute Award Honors Show virtually throughout the world through its partnership with Facebook streaming Live exclusively on the PAFF Facebook page Thu., July 22 7:00 PM-9:00 PM PT. Watch the livestream on PAFF's Facebook page here. The PAFF Awards Show is presented by Warner Bros. Pictures’ Space Jam: A New Legacy available in theaters JULY 16th and on HBO Max.

For nearly 30 years, PAFF has showcased films from all parts of the world, representing such countries as Angola, Nigeria, Jamaica, New Zealand, Rwanda, Canada, Mozambique, Egypt, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Brazil, Kenya, Fiji, Mexico, the U.K., South Africa, England, Japan, France and of course, the United States. With the pulse on the international film market, PAFF has opened the minds of its audiences, and transported them to far-away places and back home again.

“Over the years, filmmakers the world over have become more sophisticated in telling their stories,” says Asantewa Olatunji, the director of programming for PAFF. “In our ever-shrinking world, it is so important to understand the experiences and points of views of diverse peoples and cultures.”

This year's awards show will feature the following honors and talent:

JURY AWARDS

Shola Adewusi
Shola Adewusi

BEST SHORT NARRATIVE
presented by Shola Adewusi
(BOB ♥ ABISHOLA, WB TV & CBS)

Vernee Watson
Vernee Watson

BEST DOCUMENTARY
presented by Vernee Watson
(BOB ♥ ABISHOLA, WB TV & CBS)

Tory Kittles
Tory Kittles

BEST 1ST FEATURE
presented by Tory Kittles
(The Equalizer, NBCUniversal & CBS)

Thomas Q. Jones

BEST 1ST DOCUMENTARY
presented by Thomas Q. Jones
(Johnson, Bounce TV)

FOLAKE OLOWOFOYEKU
FOLAKE OLOWOFOYEKU

BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
presented by Folake Olowofoyeku
(BOB ♥ ABISHOLA, WB TV & CBS)

YOUTH VISIONARY AWARD

Awarded to young filmmakers and content creators whose work shows a promising young start from their storytelling to their content creating styles.
YOUTH VISIONARY AWARD is a new award this year.

BEAH RICHARDS AWARD

Awarded to up-and-coming female actors whose body of work thus far exemplifies a positive and uplifting Black image and experience. Past winners of the BEAH RICHARDS AWARD include Tessa Thompson and Regina King.

CANADA LEE AWARD

Awarded to up-and-coming male actors whose body of work thus far exemplifies a positive and uplifting Black image and experience. Past winners of the CANADA LEE AWARD include Idris Elba, David Oyelowo and Nate Parker.

DJELI AWARD

Awarded to writers, directors, producers, actors, musicians, and promoters. In Pan African cultures, a DJELI is a storyteller, a historian, one who carries the culture and maintains the history. DJELI is a new award.

JA’NET DUBOIS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Awarded to actors whose body of work and achievements exemplify Black excellence. Past winners of the JA’NET DUBOIS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD include Alfre Woodard, Forest Whitaker, and Phylicia Rashad.

This year, PAFF competitions included over 65 World premiere titles and over 29 US premieres.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 29th Pan African Film Festival Tribute Award Honors Show will be held virtually on-line and on-demand exclusively via Facebook Live. The virtual component allows PAFF to reach a global audience. More information can be found at www.paff.org.

The 30th PAFF will take place February 8-21, 2022.

ABOUT THE PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL

Looking forward to its 30th Anniversary, the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF), is America’s largest and most prestigious Black film festival. Each year, it screens more than 200 films made by and/or about people of African descent from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, the South Pacific, Latin America, Europe and Canada and increasingly Asia. In conjunction with its simultaneous Art Showcase, PAFF holds the distinction of being the largest Black History Month event in the US.

PAFF was founded in 1992 by award-winning actor Danny Glover (“The Color Purple,” “Lethal Weapon”), the beloved 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 African Affairs. PAFF is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of ethnic and racial respect and tolerance through the exhibit of films, art, and other creative expressions.

The goal of PAFF is to present and showcase the broad range of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive and images, help to destroy negative stereotypes, and depict an expanded, realistic vision of the Black experience. PAFF believes film and art can lead to better understandings and foster communications between people of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serves as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our time.

For more information, please visit www.paff.org or email info@paff.org.

Marla Gibbs to Receive Walk of Fame Star

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Iconic actress Marla Gibbs to receive the 2,698th star on the world famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, on Tuesday, July 20, 2021  at 6840 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Jimmy Kimmel Live.

90 year-young, Gibbs starred as Florence on The Jeffersons and later as Mary Jenkins on 227. Television roles that have endured fans over the many generations.

The ceremony will be emceed by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Rana Bhadban.

The guests speakers will include Tisha Campbell, who starred in the television series Martin and My Wife and Kids, and more.

Musso & Franks, Hollywood’s Oldest Restaurant Re-Opens May 6th

Musso & Frank Grill

The oldest restaurant in Hollywood and a part of Hollywood history , Musso & Franks will re-open its doors for dinner on Thursday, May 6, 2021.

Like with other restaurants in Los Angeles and around the country, Musso & Frank closed its doors due to
COVID-19 and will reopen after a year.

Opened over 100 years ago on September 27, 1919 by Frank Toulet as Frank's Cafe located at 6669 Hollywood Boulevard.
Frank later went into business with Joseph Musso and renamed the restaurant Musso & Frank's Grill.

Eight years later, in 1927, the two sold the restaurant to Joseph Carissimi and John Mosso,
who moved the restaurant to 6667 Hollywood Boulevard, still its current location.

Musso & Franks was the place to be. It had the first pay phone installed in Hollywood. During the Golden Age of Hollywood,
it was a place for movie stars like Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, Humphrey Bogartand others were regulars.

The Screen Writers Guild was located near Musso and would become the place that authorsm who were recruited
to write Hollywood studios' next best script, would hang-out. Authors like Max Brand, T.S. Elliot, Aldous Huxley,
John O'Hara, Dorothy Parker and John Steinbeck.