February 20, 2012, The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF), revealed the winners of its films in competition. PAFF a long running festival, which celebrated its 20th anniversary, showcased narrative features, documentaries, and short films by filmmakers from far and wide representing 30 countries. The festival, which was held at the popular Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, selected 160 films throughout the 12-day event. As with most festivals, PAFF also included a panel discussion that served as a connecting tool for aspiring entertainers to ask questions and to hear advice from industry veterans. For example, during the first week of the festival The PAFF Film Institute held a writing intensive panel to discuss “The Art of the Pitch,” that included various executives such as, Brett King, of de Passe Jones Entertainment; Claire Brown, of Akil Productions; and Tamara Gregory, of BET Networks.
The awards ceremony, which included special prizes for the winners, was the last gesture to continue PAFF’s mission to highlight and support minority filmmakers. Among all the narratives, documentaries, and short films, 13 winners were chosen. The big winner was the French epic film, Toussaint L’Ouverture, directed by Philippe Niang, which picked up three awards, including Best Feature Narrative and the Best Actor Award going to Jimmy Jean-Louis for his portrayal of the Haitian revolutionist. Best Director First Feature Award went to Storm Saulter, for Better Mus' Come, (Jamaica). The Best Documentary Award went to An African Election, (Ghana), directed by Jarreth Merz. The Audience Favorite Award for a short film went to actor/director, Hill Harper for The Truth, (US), and the Festival Programmers’ Award, for a Narrative went to Elza, (Guadeloupe/France), directed by Mariette Monpierre.
For a list of all the winners and additional information about the festival, visit PAFF.org.
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