Los Angeles – The Universe was perfectly aligned, February 8-19, 2018. The reason for this was the presence of the Pan African Film and Arts Festival at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza and adjacent Cinemark Theatres.
There was something for everyone who were treated to star-studded red carpets, full featured screenings, educational, inspiring panel discussions, Question and Answer sections with filmmakers, cast, followed by some fantastic after parties.
Fashionistas in the House
Sunday, February 18th was special on several fronts. “Black Panther” costume designer/stylist Ruth Carter was featured as part of a distinguished panel of famous designers, stylist, creative consultant.
The panel was entitled “Costuming: Moving Up to Black.” This panel was held in the Party Tent on the 2nd Level Parking of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. The Party Tent was set like an intimate living room environment, which enhance our enjoyment of the panel. The conversation centered on the aesthetic of people of African descent and how their contribution continues to influence world fashion trends going into the 21st Century.
The panel was organized and moderated by Fashionista Love Collins and featured costume designer and stylist Ruth Carter from Marvel’s “Black Panther,” Ayanna James Kimani (Insecure), Creative Consultant, Erica Sewell (Escape Artist) and Celebrity Stylist Scooter Styles (Draya Michelle, Eric Bellinger).
The panel shared with the audience about working within budget, working with various actors, actresses, producers, directors, teamwork on projects, how they got started in the industry, who inspired them and most importantly, offered advice to people trying to get their feet in the door.
As you have heard by now, “Black Panther” has broken everyone’s expectation for opening weekend box office forecast. The movie also aligns with the theme of the 26th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival- “Connect, Inspire and Soar.”
I’m sure that you saw many uplifting instances of people showing up to each screening channeling their interpretation of African inspired fashions, if you were one of the lucky ones to see the movie. Social media is buzzing with photos and videos to prove this point.
Pan African Film & Arts Festival Fashion Show
The costuming panel served as a perfect segue to the highly anticipated annual “Wearable Art on the Move” Fashion Show at Macy’s Bridge. This popular event allowed visitors to experience a “tour de force” in high fashion with an Afro touch! The Fashion Show was produced by Karimu, Ngoma and Deveaux. The show got underway with West African Drumming, followed by Libation Ceremony. Spoken word artist, dancers and vocalist contributed to the success of the marvelous fashion show.
Pan African Film Festival Awards – 2108 List of Winners
And the winners are? Awards were presented during the annual Filmmakers Awards Brunch, Monday, February 19th in the Party Tent, from 10:00am-12:00pm.
I had a previous engagement that prevented me from attending this event, which explains why there are not any photos to accompany this segment. However, a complete list of winners is below.
Best Narrative Feature
Borders (Frontieres) (Burkina Faso) Directed by Woye Apolline Traore
Best Director-First Feature Narrative
Kalushi (South Africa) Directed by Mandlakayise Dube
Best Documentary Feature
Sammy Davis, Jr. I’ve Gotta Be Me (US) Directed by Samuel D. Pollard
Best Narrative Short
Kyenvu (Yellow) (Uganda) Directed by Kemiyondo Coutinho
Best Documentary Short
Mama (US) Directed by Nicholas Brennan
Programmers’ Award-Narrative or Documentary Short
Lalo’s House (Haiti/US) Directed by Kelly Kali
Programmers’ Award-Documentary
Barrow-Freedom fighter (Barbados) Directed by Marcia Weekes
Programmers’ Award-Narrative Feature
Love Jacked (South Africa/Canada) Directed by Alfons Adetuyi
PAFF Directors’ Award-Feature Documentary
King of Stages: The Woodie King Jr. Story (US) Directed by Juney Smith
Maynard (US) Directed by Samuel D. Pollard
PAFF Directors’ Award-Feature Narrative
The Train of Salt and Sugar (Mozambique/Portugal/France/Brazil/South Africa) Directed by Licinio Azevedo
Audience Award-Documentary Short
‘63 Boycott (US) Directed by Gordon Quinn
Audience Award-Documentary Feature
Sammy Davis Jr. I’ve Gotta Be Me (US) Directed by Samuel D. Pollard
Audience Award-Narrative Short
For Evan’s Sake (US) Directed by Kirsten Lorin
Audience Award-Narrative Feature
Muslimah’s Guide to Marriage (US) Directed by Aminah Bakeer Abdul-Jabbaar
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