Flava Flav, a member of hip-hop group Public Enemy, is featured in ‘To My Rescue It Was the S1Ws (A Public Enemy Story),’ one of the centerpiece films of the Pan African Film Festival. The film tells the untold story of Security of the First World, the militant wing of Public Enemy.
Courtesy photo
By Cynthia Gibson
Contributing Writer
CULVER CITY — The Pan African Film Festival continues its tradition of celebrating Black storytelling from around the globe, offering a platform for diverse narratives that showcase the richness of the Black experience. With more than two dozen categories, ranging from action and adventure to mental health and women’s interest, the festival solidifies its reputation as a hub for culturally significant cinema.
“As a festival that has long championed diverse and authentic storytelling, PAFF is thrilled to continue to highlight films that elevate Black perspectives and amplify our voices in cinema,” the festival’s Executive Director Oduduwa Olatunji said. “This year’s lineup proves that Black stories are not just essential — they are revolutionary.”
Among the standout films in this year’s festival is the centerpiece film, “To My Rescue It Was the S1Ws (A Public Enemy Story),” which had its world premiere Feb. 12. The documentary sheds light on the untold story of Security of the First World, the militant wing of Public Enemy, one of hip-hop’s most influential groups. The film provides a deep dive into hip-hop’s evolution as a force for rebellion and protest, capturing its role as a global movement.
Following the screening, Executive Producer and Director Janol Ture participated in a discussion alongside cast members on the emergence of hip-hop and the film’s significance in chronicling the genre’s revolutionary spirit.
As the festival progresses, audiences can expect more world premieres, exclusive screenings and thought-provoking panel discussions that explore the intersection of art, history, and social change.
One of the highly anticipated films is “Birth of the Black Underworld,” directed by filmmaker Matty Rich (“Straight Out of Brooklyn”), which premieres Feb. 13 at the Culver Theater. Rich, who also stars in the film, shared that bringing this project to life has been a decade-long journey.
“For two years, we filmed ‘Birth of the Black Underworld’ on the weekends. The cast and crew were incredible, and their love and confidence in the project made me determined to finish it,” Rich said. “Even when there was no money, I continued writing, scheduling, praying and using my paychecks from teaching film school at AFI and Sundance to complete the project.”
Set in 1930s Brooklyn, the film delves into the often-overlooked history of the Black underworld, revealing the grooming of young Black men into criminal enterprises. The narrative follows Satterfield Jackson (played by Rich), an orphan raised by Italian mobster Marco Ricci, who straddles alliances between the Italian and Jewish mafia. When trust is breached, a wave of violence ensues, leading to dire consequences that redefine the power dynamics of organized crime.
Additional festival spotlight films include: “Soundtrack to a Coup d’état” (Feb. 14), “Fight to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story” (Feb. 15), “We Want the Funk” (Feb. 15 and 17) and “NAWI: Dear Future Me” (Feb. 17).
Closing the festival Feb. 17 is “My Dead Friend Zoe,” a dark comedy-drama featuring an all-star cast led by Sonequa Martin-Green.
The film follows Merit, a U.S. Army veteran grappling with the presence of her deceased best friend, Zoe (played by Natalie Morales). Despite the interventions of her VA counselor (Morgan Freeman) and her mother (Gloria Reuben), Merit’s relationship with Zoe isolates her from the world — until an unexpected reconnection with her estranged grandfather (Ed Harris) forces her to confront her past.
Directed by former U.S. Army paratrooper Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, the film is an autobiographical reflection of his experiences and marks his feature film debut.
Beyond film screenings, the festival offers engaging educational programs through the PAFF Institute. On Feb. 16, Jonathan Majors will be featured in a fireside chat, providing an intimate look at his approach to acting, his role preparation and his views on the evolving landscape of cinema. Majors, known for his roles in “Lovecraft Country,” “The Last Black Man in San Francisco,” “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantomania,” and “Creed III,” will share insights on navigating Hollywood as a Black actor.
Also on Feb. 16, the festival will host the panel discussion “Everything in Entertainment: The Journey of Black Women in Hollywood,” led by the festival’s Director of Operations J’Tasha St. Cyr. This panel will highlight the impact Black women are making in front of and behind the camera, featuring voices like Novi Brown (“Sisters”), Kyla Pratt (“Proud Family”), Tiffany M. Abney (“Mea Culpa”), and Renelle Nicole (“Chicago Med”).
The festival officially concludes Feb. 18 with the Filmmaker Award Brunch, recognizing outstanding contributions in over a dozen categories. While the awards mark the festival’s official closing, film screenings will continue throughout the day, ensuring audiences have one last chance to experience the transformative power of Black cinema.
Information on 2025 PAFF, including securing individual tickets, passes, and accessing the digital film guide, more information is available at paff.org.
