By Cynthia Gibson
Contributing Writer
BEVERLY HILLS — The world premiere of the music comedy “A Hip Hop Story,” kicked-off two weeks of art, culture, entertainment and education at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw XD and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.
The 32nd Pan African Film and Arts Festival opening night gala was a who’s who of A-list celebrities. Festival Co-founder Danny Glover (“Lethal Weapon”), Nick Cannon (“America’s Got Talent”), Eddie Murphy (“Beverly Hills Cop”), Martin Lawrence (“Bad Boys”) and comedians Shawn Wayans, Luenell and Tiffany Haddish, were among the dozens walking the red carpet at the Writer’s Guild Theater in Beverly Hills opening night Feb. 7.
Festival Co-founder and Executive Director Ayuko Babu attributes the festival’s success and longevity to its focus on Black storytellers.
“No one can tell our stories better than us,” Babu said. “We have so many different types of diverse stories to share from within and all across the globe. We can’t be subjected to a singular narrative or perception.”
In addition to the centerpiece film (“For the Love of the Mother Land”) and closing night film (“Outlaw Posse”), there are several spotlight films that reflect the diversity, breadth and ingenuity of Black filmmakers.
An adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic romantic tale of class and longing, “Sense and Sensibility” gets a reboot with a Black cast. The film is sponsored by the Hallmark Channel and directed by Roger Bobb (“Friend Request”).
“Sacred Soil: The Piney Woods School Story” is J.J. Anderson’s (“Casper”) documentary that explores the intersection of childhood and adulthood through the eyes of young, Black high school youth from around the world as they work beyond society’s imposed limitations to achieve a top-notch education at America’s oldest African-American boarding school.
The film is a co-production of Andscape, Disney and ESPN’s Black-led division.
Paramount + presents a sneak peek of “Bob Marley: One Love,” a celebration of the life and music of the Jamaican icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity. Reinaldo Marcus Green (“King Richard”) directs this film starring Kingsley Ben-Adir (“One Night in Miami”).
The world premiere of BET’s “Kemba” is based on the true story of Kemba Smith, a sheltered college student who falls in love with a man, only to learn he is a drug kingpin who leads her down a path of abuse and manipulation.” Directed by USC graduate Kelley Kali (“I’m Fine Thanks for Asking”), the film stars Nesta Cooper (“Bliss”) and Siddiq Saunderson (“Wu-Tang: An American Saga”).
Other spotlight films include Gilead’s “Being BeBe: The BeBe Zahara Benet Documentary,” National Geographic’s “Genius: MLK/X” and Disney’s animated feature film “Iwájú.”
Two special screenings spotlight local elected officials and musicians.
The world premiere of “Respect My Crown: The Rise of African American Women in California Politics,” is a 170-year “herstory” chronicling the struggles and sacrifices of Black women seeking equity while battling race and gender barriers in pursuit of equality and political power in the state of California. The documentary features interviews with Mayor Karen Bass, U.S. Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Barbara Lee, and former L.A. County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke.
“The Orchestra Chuck Built,” features former Los Angeles lawyer-turned-conductor Chuck Dickerson’s work with the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles — the largest majority Black orchestra in the country. The screening includes a live performance by the orchestra.
Over the span of 32 years, the Pan African Film Festival has remained a global destination event by broadening its offerings of film, art and education.
In its third year of partnering with the global brand IKEA, Pthe festival’s “All Artists have a Seat at the Table,” is a showcase of wood dining furniture transformed into unique works of art. Artists Jennia Fedrique Aponte, Milton Bowens, Dapne Burgess, Rober E. Hansen, Zoie Noelle Brogdon and Karen Gibson were selected to turn ordinary furniture into one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect their unique style.
Also presented in partnership with Ikea is PAFF mainstay ArtFEST, a collection of original artworks, collectible furniture, jewelry, clothing and other one-of-a-kind items exhibited by more than 70 international artists and craftspeople.
Sponsored by Stocker Street Creative, the PAFF Institute focuses on the production, marketing, executive and economic side of film making. Opened in 2022, Stocker Street Creative is a creative campus designed to drive economic development in South and Southeast Los Angeles.
PAFF Institute is a series of 19 informative and educational panel discussions led by industry experts. Topics include, “Black Entrepreneurs: Closing the Economic Divide,” The Art of Distribution and Marketing a Film,” “Our Images, Our Voices,” “Frame to Frame: Black Editors Guild,” “Main Men Making Moves,” Leading Ladies in Film & TV,” “Color our Sets in Style,” “Up Close & Personal: Real Estate Seminar,” and many more.
According to Babu, “PAFF is and will remain relevant because we keep reimagining ourselves each year. We keep pushing and supporting our own — our own art, our own culture, our writers and our own films. This is where our focus and energy should be.”
For more information on the 2024 PAFF, including individual tickets, passes and a digital film guide, visit paff.org.
