PAFF Presents Over 160 Films
Including 64 Documentaries, 54 Short Films and 47 Feature Films
LOS ANGELES - The 14th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) today announced the 2006 roster for official feature, documentary and short film selections, as well as special screenings, panels and workshops. The twelve-day event will be held on February 9-20, 2006 in Los Angeles. The PAFF, which will screen 160 films this year, including 64 documentaries, 54 short films, and 47 feature films. PAFF is America’s largest Black history month event and is an official event of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s African American Heritage Month 2006.

Highlights of PAFF 2006 will include the red carpet opening night gala on February 9 hosted by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, South Africa Consul-General Jeanette Ndhlovu, and actor Forrest Whitaker, featuring South Africa’s official nomination for the 78th Annual Academy Awards® in the foreign language film category, TSOTSI. The PAFF Centerpiece (February 15) presentation features Reggie Gaskins’ suspense thriller RESTRAINING ORDER, starring Robin Givens, N’Bushe Wright, and James Avery. The comedy/drama ATL, starring Big Boi of Outkast and Tip “T.I.” Harris, will debut as PAFF’s closing night film. ATL tells the story of four friends preparing for life after high school when different challenges bring about turning points in each of their lives. The dramas unfold and resolve at their local roller skating rink, Jellybeans.

On February 18, the PAFF will honor legendary actor LOUIS GOSSETT JR. with the coveted PAFF Lifetime Achievement Award during their annual NIGHT OF TRIBUTE. Other distinguished honorees include JIM BROWN (Pioneer Award), HILL HARPER (Canada Lee Award), KIMBERLY ELISE (Beah Richards Awards), and the Honorable MERVYN M. DYMALLY who will receive the PAFF Community Service Award. The 2006 PAFF featured artist is DJIBRIL N’DOYE.

Other special screenings and events include the PAFF AFRICA NIGHT screening of DELWENDE on February 10 hosted by CCH Pounder and Taraji P. Henson. FLIP THE SCRIPT, a romantic comedy starring Miguel A. Nunez Jr. and Robins Givens will screen on February 11. The TWELVE DISCIPLES OF NELSON MANDELA will screen on February 12 with a writer/director Thomas Allen Harris in attendance. THE WILL TO SURVIVE, a documentary about the island of Sapelo, Georgia and the hidden society of the last remaining intact Geechee communities will screen on February 16. February 17, New Orleans Mardi Gras Night, features a screening of MAKE IT FUNKY! Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne star in a sneak preview of AKEELAH AND THE BEE on February 18.

The annual PAFF SPOKENWORD FEST will be hosted by HBO Def Poetry poet Shihan on February 10 and 17. There will be a PAFF COMEDY NIGHT will feature a tribute to Richard Pryor on February 18.

The PAFF will offer a wide selection of PANELS AND WORKSHOPS that explore the complex world of Hollywood and Black cinema and provide resources to aspiring filmmakers.