If you're a movie goer or film enthusiast, the 21stAnnual Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) will make you feel like a kid in the candy store. So many films to choose from, 154, along with dozens of documentaries that tackle such issues as HIV/AIDS, bullies, racism to autism.
 |
| The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) Writer/Director/Producer Nia Hill says the message to parents of austic children in her doc, “COLORED MY MIND” is, "deal with the genius." |
The docu-feature, which also has Blair Underwood to dramatize the story, focuses on five
women: an educator, an actress, a lawyer, a music manager, and a homemaker. They guide us into the overlooked world of autism, in
particular in the Black and Brown communities. Through these ladies, Hill
uncovers the truths about why some Black and Brown children are not receiving
the same medical diagnoses or are misdiagnosed.
 |
| Anne-Marie Johnson |
Also attending the opening night (Feb. 7) at the Directors Guild of America facility was Actress Annie-Marie Johnson, “This film festival obviously honors filmmakers of color and we don’t get this much exposure in the traditional film festivals,” she said.
Among the many stars and dignitaries on the red
carpet was Legendary Mother Love, talk show host.(http://www.latalkradio.com/Motherlove.php) , PAFF
Over two decades, along
with 
On the red carpet outside DGA building were Founder and board member Oscar Williams with Beverly Scott, UCLA.
Filmmaker Megan Ebor,
husband Joe, who is featuring a short doc, “EVEN ME”, which raises awareness of HIV/AIDS, (2012 24 min., Sat and Sunday) and Reatha Grey, Betty White's Off The
Rockers, to name a few. The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) continues through Monday, Feb. 18 (Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 15, 
PAFF was founded in 1992 by award-winning actor Danny Glover (“The Color Purple,” “Lethal Weapon” movie franchise), 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 creative expression. 
The goal
of PAFF is to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works,
particularly those that reinforce positive images, help to destroy negative
stereotypes and depict an expanded vision of the Black experience. PAFF believes
film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.
The Pan African Film & Arts Festival is an official event of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R.
Villaraigosa's Celebration of African American Heritage Month. PAFF is
sponsored by Union Bank; Macy's; Wells Fargo Bank; General Motors; Sony
Pictures, CareMore; Water Replenishment District of Southern California; South
African Airways; the National Film and Video Foundation; One Village; Addco Party Rentals; TestFlick; O.N.E. Coconut Water; Dama Tequila and Mascarade Liqueur; the Department of Cultural Affairs, the City of Los Angeles; the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; as well as Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas (Second District) and Los Angeles City Council members Bernard C. Parks (District 8), Jan Perry (District 9), and council president Herb J. Wesson Jr. (District 10).Opening night featured Forest Whitter's new film, Vipaka 
“Vipaka,”
starring Forest Whitaker and Anthony Mackie Set to Premiere WHO: The cast & crew of “Vipaka” The cast and crew includes:· Philippe Caland – director/producer/writer, “Boxing Helena”· Nina Yang – producer· Jeanine Rohn -- producer Plus, other familiar faces from tv and film, including:
· Actress Salli Richardson-Whitfield – PAFF celebrity host
· Danny Glover – actor and founder of PAFF, “Lethal
Weapon” franchise
· Robert Townsend – actor/director, “Diary of a Single Mom”· Kevin Frazier – tv host, “The Insider”· Terrence J – tv host/actor, “E! News” “Think Like a Man”· Laz Alonso – actor, “Deception”· Kim Coles – actress/comedienne, “Soul Man,” “Living Single”· Vanessa Bell Calloway – actress, “Holla II,” “Hawthorne,” “Coming to America”· Brian White – actor, “9ine,” “Men of a Certain Age,” “The Shield”
·
Eriq LaSalle – actor/author,
“ER”· Kym Whitley – actress/comedienne, “Animal Practice,”
“Let’s Stay Together”
· Rochelle Aytes – actress, Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s
Family
· Anne Marie Johnson – actress, Tyler Perry’s “House of
Payne”
· Kelitta Smith – actress, “The Bernie Mac Show”
· Terence Bernie Hines – actor, “My Name is Earl,”
“Raising Hope”
·
Jimmy-Jean Louis – actor, “Toussaint
L’Ouverture,” “Heroes” “Phat Girlz”
· Leon – actor/international reggae singer
· Luenell – comic, “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America
for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”
· Sherese Fletcher – reality star, “Hollywood Exes”
· Andrea Kelley – reality star, “Hollywood Exes”
· Judge Joe Brown – tv court personality
Check The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) website (www.Paff.or) for dates and times of film screenings.
