From February 10-17, the 18th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) returned to Los Angeles. Each year PAFF presents over 175 films from various locations around the globe that showcase the diversity and complexity of people of African descent. The DGA has served as a sponsor of the festival for more than a decade.

The opening night gala, held on February 10 in the DGA Theatre complex, included the world premiere of DGA member Jeb Stuart's feature Blood Done Sign My Name. Stuart spoke to the audience about the making of his drama based on the true story of a black Vietnam vet allegedly murdered by a white businessman who is later acquitted by an all-white jury despite the witnesses, and the civil unrest that followed that acquittal.

As part of our sponsorship, on February 12, the PAFF filmmakers were invited to a brunch in the atrium of DGA headquarters where DGA African-American Steering Committee Co-Chairs Carl Weathers and Van Hayden spoke to them about the advantages of DGA membership.