Actor Jonathan Majors speaks to the opening night audience of the Pan African Film Festival Feb. 4 at the Culver Theater. Majors stars in ‘Magazine Dreams,’ the opening-night film.
Photo courtesy of the Pan African Film Festival
By Cynthia Gibson
Contributing Writer
CULVER CITY — The star of “Magazine Dreams” — Jonathan Majors — was among the stars walking the red carpet at opening night of the 33rd Pan African Film Festival, which opened Feb. 4 at a brand-new venue, the Culver Theater.
The festivities marked the beginning of two weeks filled with film screenings, panel discussions and cultural celebrations. This year’s festival, themed “Dream Beyond,” embraces the power of storytelling to inspire hope, resilience, and ambition.
“Magazine Dreams” was the featured opening night film, starring Majors as Killian Maddox, a determined yet troubled bodybuilder navigating personal struggles while caring for his ailing grandfather. The film is set for a theatrical release on March 21.
Majors and actress Meagan Good were two of the stars that walked the red carpet on opening night. Actors Haley Bennett, Taylour Paige, Harrison Page and Mike O’Hearn who were featured in “Magazine Dreams” also walked the red carpet.
Other stars in attendance included Kyla Pratt (“The Proud Family”), Brandee Evans (“P-Valley”), Novi Brown (“Sistas”), Omar Benson Miller (“CSI:Miami”), Nicki Micheaux (“Lincoln Heights”), former NBA player John Salley, founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan RZA, and more.
Prior to the film screening, elected officials County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price, Culver City Vice Mayor Freddy Puza, and Culver City Councilwoman Yasmine-Imani McMorrin, welcomed the fetsival to its new home.
“This festival is more than a showcase. It’s undeniable proof of the power of stories, storytelling and a tribute to the pioneers who paved the way and hope for the next generation,” Price said. “Equally important is a charge, a responsibility and a call to action.”
The film festival’s new executive director, Oduduwa Olantunji, underscored the festival’s mission, highlighting the importance of celebrating Black culture and creativity.
“My favorite part of PAFF is the artists,” Olantunji said. “Filmmakers and everyone come through with their creativity. Everybody celebrates their Blackness, their culture, and the world.”
Actress Meagan Good introduced Jonathan Majors, who shared insights into the long journey of bringing “Magazine Dreams” to life. He expressed deep gratitude to the festival and its supporters, aligning the film with 2025 PAFF theme “Dream Beyond.”
“Killian Maddox has a dream, and through this dream, he deals with trials and tribulations, and through it all, he keeps this idea of hope,” Majors said. “Take something from it. I don’t care what it is, but take something from it.”
The festival’s opening night sets the stage for a lineup of events, including the return of the Spoken Word Fest Feb. 7. This event will feature a blend of emerging and seasoned spoken-word artists, with Grammy-nominated poet, author and actress Theresa tha SONGBIRD as the headliner. In addition to Theresa, Malik Yusef and V. Kali will be honored for their contributions to the spoken-word community.
Produced and hosted by Diverse Verses LA, the event is co-produced by actor Paul Mabon, widely recognized for his role as Alan in the Progressive Insurance commercials. Mabon emphasized that the Spoken Word Fest is an immersive and interactive experience.
“It’s not just sitting in a seat watching poetry for two hours,” Mabon said.
Adding to the excitement, the event incorporates a fashion element, inviting audience members to walk the red carpet and showcase their style.
“Because it’s a once-a-year thing, we want to make the entire event special,” Mabon added.
On Feb. 8, “Black Immigrants: Telling Our Stories & Visioning the Future” will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. Sponsored by the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, this screening and panel discussion will delve into the experiences of Black immigrants, examining systemic challenges, racial capitalism, and global anti-Blackness.
Also on Feb. 8, the PAFF Institute will host “Young Hollywood: How Social Media Inspires Gen Z to Dream Beyond” at the Culver Theater panel room. The discussion will explore how platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube empower Gen Z members to craft their own narratives and break into unconventional careers.
Feb. 10, marks the official start of a week dedicated to film screenings, beginning with “Student Fest” at Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. This special programming is designed to engage students with films that reflect the African diaspora and encourage discussions.
Additionally, “Senior Connections” —a program created to honor the voices and experiences of older generations —will provide an opportunity for seniors to engage with filmmakers and explore stories that resonate with their lived experiences.
The highly anticipated “Centerpiece Film” will be showcased on Feb. 12 at the Culver Theater, which will host the majority of screenings throughout the festival.
For more information on tickets, passes, and the digital film guide, visit paff.org.
Cynthia Gibson is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers. She can be reached at ckgcommunications@gmail.com.
