Dedicated to promoting racial tolerance through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression, the 24th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) returned to Los Angeles From February 4-15. This year’s PAFF presented more than 150 new films and the works of over 100 fine artists and craft persons to showcase the diversity and complexity of people of African descent from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, South America, Europe, the South Pacific and Canada.
On February 12, filmmakers with projects in this year's festival were invited to a brunch in the atrium of DGA headquarters. The brunch opened with an overview by DGA Field Rep Gabe Kahsay, who welcomed the PAFF filmmakers and introduced PAFF Executive Director Ayuko Babu who spoke about the festival and gave the attendees valuable information about how to best take advantage of this opportunity. Then DGA Board Alternate Millicent Shelton spoke about the advantages of Guild membership and detailed some of the DGA’s diversity efforts aimed at leveling the playing field behind the camera. Finally, the filmmakers had a chance to stand and introduce themselves and speak briefly about their various projects in the festival.
The DGA has served as a sponsor of the festival for more than a decade. For more information about PAFF visit their website at http://www.paff.org.