Culver Plaza Theatres
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------AFRICAN VOICES Cinema Series presents “NOTORIOUS”
“NOTORIOUS” Screenwriter Reggie Rock Bythewood, Screenwriter, Cheo Hodari Coker; Producer, Bob Teitel; and Casting Director, Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd; will provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how they translated the life story of Hip Hop icon, “The Notorious B.I.G.,” into the current feature film release, “Notorious”.
Moderator:
Farai Chideya (Author, Journalist)
Farai Chideya (Author, Journalist)
Panelists:
-Reggie “Rock” Bythewood, Screenwriter
-Cheo Hadari Coker, Screenwriter
-Bob Teitel, Producer
-Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, Casting Director
-Reggie “Rock” Bythewood, Screenwriter
-Cheo Hadari Coker, Screenwriter
-Bob Teitel, Producer
-Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, Casting Director
Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd
Reggie Rock Bythewood, Justin Price
..., Justin Price---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------The worlds of independent film and cable network television rarely interact, yet many independent films can be viewed as pilots for potential television series. How does an independent filmmaker cross the divide into television? And what are the differences between working in those two worlds? From money to creative control to network access to production techniques — this panel discusses how it can be done.
Panelists:
-Hadjii (Writer, Director, Star, Executive Producer of “Somebodies”)
-Nate Kohn (Executive Producer of “Somebodies”)
-Norman Aladjem (Paradigm Agency, Head of International and Independent Film Packaging and Financing Unit)
-Hadjii (Writer, Director, Star, Executive Producer of “Somebodies”)
-Nate Kohn (Executive Producer of “Somebodies”)
-Norman Aladjem (Paradigm Agency, Head of International and Independent Film Packaging and Financing Unit)
Animation Panel
This panel will examine the current state of blacks in animation and of black animated content. This year we will see the first black Disney princess and BET has announced “The Black Panther” animated series. Is this the time that we will finally see an explosion of black-themed animated content?
Moderator:
Eric Elder (CEO OW! (Online Worlds) Entertainment)
Eric Elder (CEO OW! (Online Worlds) Entertainment)
Panelists:
-Brandon Schultz (CEO Imajimation)
-Tyree Dillahay (Animation Director)
-Kwesi Davis (Technical Director, DreamWorks Animation)
-Sidney Clifton (CEO Sanctuary Productions, invited)
-Jay Francis (Director Animation Development, The Disney Channel, invited)
-Bruce Smith (Animator, Walt Disney Animation Studios, invited)
-Brandon Schultz (CEO Imajimation)
-Tyree Dillahay (Animation Director)
-Kwesi Davis (Technical Director, DreamWorks Animation)
-Sidney Clifton (CEO Sanctuary Productions, invited)
-Jay Francis (Director Animation Development, The Disney Channel, invited)
-Bruce Smith (Animator, Walt Disney Animation Studios, invited)
Kwesi Davis
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Macy’s is honored to partner with the Pan African Film Festival in hosting a panel discussion focusing on strategies for success. You’ll hear from African American leaders in the arts, education and business as they discuss tips for starting a successful career.
Moderator:
TBD
TBD
Panelists:
-Hill Harper (Actor, Author)
-Lauren London (Actress)
-Patrick Martin (CEO, Youngblood Timepieces)
-Nate Parker (invited)
-Yvette Lee Bowser
-Hill Harper (Actor, Author)
-Lauren London (Actress)
-Patrick Martin (CEO, Youngblood Timepieces)
-Nate Parker (invited)
-Yvette Lee Bowser
Location: Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, Macy’s 1st Floor
Naturi Naughton
Tatyana Ali, Yvette Lee Bowser, Hill Harper, Patrick Martin, Naturi Naughton,---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAFF Centerpiece Film: "SKIN"
Dir: Anthony Fabian
2008 | South Africa/UK | 107 min
2008 | South Africa/UK | 107 min
Based on a true story, a genetic abnormality caused Sandra, born of white parents in apartheid South Africa, to look like a black person. Tormented and unaccepted by white society though classified as white, she falls in love with a Black man and moves to a township, alienating her parents.
Stars Sophie Okonedo.
Ja’Net Dubois, PAFF Co-Founder
Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd
Hélene Muddiman, Composer
Anya Monzikova-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centerpiece After-Party @ Gyenari Korean BBQ
Daisy Lewellyn, Will
Tori Bailey, the master networker
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So, You Finished Your Script, Now What?
A diverse panel that includes showrunners, producers, and directors will discuss “How to Pitch,” “What Not to Do in Your Meeting,” “What’s Your Logline,” and “How to Take a Successful Meeting.” The panel will also include writers who have worked in the “Writers’ Room”. The panel will end with an opportunity for four (4) audience members to pitch their story idea. This workshop will be interactive with teaching, discussion, Q&A, and audience participation.
A diverse panel that includes showrunners, producers, and directors will discuss “How to Pitch,” “What Not to Do in Your Meeting,” “What’s Your Logline,” and “How to Take a Successful Meeting.” The panel will also include writers who have worked in the “Writers’ Room”. The panel will end with an opportunity for four (4) audience members to pitch their story idea. This workshop will be interactive with teaching, discussion, Q&A, and audience participation.
Panelists:
-Charles Howard
-Lamese Williams
-Kelly Griffin
-Rene N. Rawls
-David Wyatt
-Charles Howard
-Lamese Williams
-Kelly Griffin
-Rene N. Rawls
-David Wyatt
David Wyatt
Front row l to r: Lamese Williams, Rene N. Rawls, Kelly Griffin, Jennifer Williams; back row: Charles Howard, David Wyatt
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Ladae Bond
Sean Riggs
Bethel Teferra
Jana L. Laurin, Carlos "Los" Cordova, DP
Jana L. Laurin
Unequal (2009/US/94min)
Dir: John G. White
Due to her very vocal and public stance on celebrating the virtues not only of being celibate, but a virgin who’s “saving herself for marriage”, Candace becomes playboy Urban’s newest challenge. But will the hunter get captured by the game?
Dir: John G. White
Due to her very vocal and public stance on celebrating the virtues not only of being celibate, but a virgin who’s “saving herself for marriage”, Candace becomes playboy Urban’s newest challenge. But will the hunter get captured by the game?
Ladae Bond
Sean Riggs
Bethel Teferra
Jana L. Laurin, Carlos "Los" Cordova, DP
Jana L. Laurin
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Asantewa Olatunji, PAFF General Manager
Asantewa Olatunji, PAFF General Manager
Jarred Diglio, Jaime Becker
Jarred Diglio, actor "Layla"---------------------------------------------------------------
RELATIVE STRANGER
Dir. Charles Burnett
2008 | USA | 88 min
2008 | USA | 88 min
A once successful man fearing failure separates himself from his family until he receives word of his father’s death. Upon his return home, he must face his demons and seek forgiveness from those he left behind.
Stars Eriq LaSalle, Cicely Tyson, Michael Michele, and Michael Beach.
Presented by:
Liz, Hallmark Channel; Eric Haywood
Ja'net Dubois
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Closing Night After-Party @ Culver Hotel
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17TH ANNUAL PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FILM COMPETITION WINNERS
2009 FESTIVAL FEATURED FILMS FROM 42 COUNTRIES
“Skin” Starring Sophie Okonedo the True Story of White Woman Born Looking Black During Apartheid in South Africa Favorite Among Jury and Audiences
The Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) announced today the winners of its annual film competition. A favorite among PAFF jurors and audiences was the South Africa/UK film “Skin” starring Sophie Okonedo. Based on a true story, a genetic abnormality caused Sandra Laing (Sophie Okonedo), born of white parents in apartheid South Africa, to look like a black person. Tormented and unaccepted by white society though classified as white, she falls in love with a Black man and moves to a township, alienating her parents. The real Sandra Laing flew to Los Angeles from South Africa to attend the screening of “Skin” at the PAFF. Other top honors went to the US film “Prince of Broadway” for Best Narrative Feature, France’s “Cuba: An African Odyssey” for Best Documentary Feature, and the Bahamas’ “Rain” for Best Director-First Feature.
Jury Prizes were awarded in the following categories: Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short, Best Narrative Short, Best Narrative Feature, and Best Director-First Feature. In addition to the Jury Prizes, the PAFF audience cast ballots for their favorite documentary and narrative films, as well as the PAFF Director’s Award and Programmer’s Award. Film nominations are selected by a jury of industry professionals, with the exception of the audience favorite awards, which are based on the results of ballots cast by festival filmgoers. Screenings for the 2009 PAFF Jury of all films receiving nominations took place February 5-16, 2009 at the Culver Plaza Theatres. The 2009 PAFF Awards were announced on Monday, February 16 at the annual PAFF Filmmaker Awards Brunch at the Culver Hotel in Culver City.
“With over thirty world and U.S. premieres, this year’s lineup is a remarkable representation of the African cinematic landscape from the United States and across the globe,” commented Sharifa Johka, PAFF senior programming consultant. “Los Angeles has a large international population and I am so excited to bring this diverse and exciting program to this community.”
PAFF is America’s largest and most prestigious flagship black film and arts festival and will take place February 5-16, 2009. With over 2,500 submissions, the 2009 PAFF features films from 42 countries and boasts a record attendance now topping a quarter of a million attendees over its twelve-day run. This year the festival has announced a change of venue to accommodate its ever-growing audience for its film festival to the Culver Plaza Theatres (9919 Washington Boulevard). The PAFF Art Market, a highly anticipated and celebrated major exhibit of black fine art and quality crafts featuring the work of over 100 different artists and artisans, remained at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza (3650 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.). For more information, please visit www.paff.org.
17th PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL FILM COMPETITION WINNERS
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE“Prince of Broadway” US
Honorable Mention
“Happy Sad” Trinidad/Tobago
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
“Cuba, An African Odyssey” France
Honorable Mention
“The End of Poverty?” US
BEST NARRATIVE SHORT
“Kwame” US
Honorable Mention
“Warrior Queen” Ghana
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
“Scarred Justice: The Orangeburg Massacre” US
Honorable Mention
“Faubourg Treme’:
The Untold Story of Black New Orleans” US
BEST FIRST FEATURE – DIRECTOR
“Rain” Bahamas
JURY FAVORITE
“Skin” US
17th PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL FILM AUDIENCE FAVORITE WINNERS
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE“Skin” US
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
“Nubian Spirit: The African Legacy of the Nile Valley” Sudan/UK
17th PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL DIRECTOR’S AWARD
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE“Sugar” US
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
“Milking the Rhino” US
17th PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAMMER’S AWARD
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE“Standing N Truth” US
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
“Run Baby Run” Ghana
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