The 2012 Pan African Film Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary with over a hundred films from 30 countries set to screen at the event. The festival which gets underway in Los Angeles on Thursday February 9 and runs through Monday February 20 will open with the romantic comedy Think Like a Man and on closing night the drama Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day will make its premiere. In statements provided to Examiner.com, Founder and Executive Director Ayuko Babu remarked on the festival’s endurance, “The Pan African Film Festival is proud to be celebrating 20 years of showcasing creative works by filmmakers of color from around the world. Our anniversary is a testament to the talent and desire of filmmakers to tell their stories to audiences that matter to them most. And in return, moviegoers get the opportunity to see amazing work on a global level by filmmakers who reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes, depicting an expanded vision of the Black experience.“ The festival will also honor perennial actress Loretta Devine with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Babu praised the Jumping The Broom star for her extensive body of work, “Ms. Devine is probably one of the hardest working women in show business. She is an extremely gifted and versatile actress, creating soulful characters in some of our favorite television shows and films. Through her craft, she is an amazing storyteller, delivering memorable performances and portraying characters with a richness and vulnerability that connects with audiences on many different levels.” Films in competition will be awarded for Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short, Best Narrative Short, Best Narrative Feature, and Best First Feature Film. Here is a partial look at the PAFF’s screening schedule:
Opening Night:
Think Like a Man | February 9, 2012-directed by Tim Story
Saturday Night Special-Part 1:
Slavery By Another Name | February 11, 2012-directed by Sam Pollard
Centerpiece Presentation:
The Under Shepherd | February 16, 2012-directed by Russ Parr
Saturday Night Special-Part 2:
We the Party | February 18, 2012-directed by Mario Van Peebles
Closing Night
Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day | February 19, 2012-directed by Neema Barnette
You can visit the PAFF website for more information and a complete lineup of films selected to this year’s festival.
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