On the third anniversary of acclaimed filmmaker John Singleton’s death, three young filmmakers will premiere their films paying homage to the first Black filmmaker — and youngest person ever — to get an Oscar nomination for Best Director. The winners of the John Singleton Short Film Competition will premiere their films as a part of the Centerpiece for the 30th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) on Wed., Apr. 28 at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 15 and XD. Singleton’s mother, children, and friends including Mario Van Peebles, Vivica Fox, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Kym Whitley, Joe Tory, and Antwone Fisher. Councilmember Herb Wesson, who sponsored the competition will also attend. The red carpet is at 6 p.m and the screening is at 7 p.m.
Inspired by the legacy of the late Los Angeles-born legendary African American filmmaker, John Singleton, the John Singleton Short Film Competition is the result of a partnership between the City of Los Angeles and the Pan African Film Festival under former L.A. City Council President Herb Wesson’s embRACE L.A. initiative and is designed to honor Singleton’s cinematic legacy while simultaneously celebrating his unapologetic approach to filmmaking. Filmmakers were invited to submit their live-action short narrative scripts and three winners were awarded $20,000 each for the production and completion of a live-action narrative short film.
Who: Pan African Film & Arts Festival and the winners of the John Singleton Short Film Competition, the family of John Singleton, Mario Van Peebles, Vivica Fox, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Kym Whitley, Joe Tory, Antwone Fisher, and Councilmember Herb Wesson.
What: The 30th Pan African Film & Arts Festival
When: Wednesday, April 27, 2022, Red Carpet at 6 p.m., Screening at 7 p.m., Q&A to follow screening
Where: Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 15 and XD, 4020 Marlton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90008
PAFF30 is taking place in-person through May 1, 2022, at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills and the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. The Festival will showcase nearly 200 films, as well as a slew of accompanying filmmaker Q&As and audience engagement opportunities. In addition, PAFF’s renowned Black art show will take place at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.
For additional information about PAFF visit paff.org.o shared south central’s story.