Baldwin Hills Crenshaw’s annual Black History Month celebration is underway, kicking off with the critically acclaimed Pan African Film and Art Festival, which continues through February 15.
Special events also include a meet and greet with Grammy award-winning gospel artist Erica Campbell and a Children’s Fest for the whole family to enjoy together. The month-long celebration is part of Baldwin Hills Crenshaw’s ongoing community programming designed to offer year-round high-quality and diverse events for the community.
THE 24th ANNUAL PAN AFRICAN FILM AND ART FESTIVAL
Honoring African filmmakers and artists from around the globe, the Pan African Film and Art Festival (PAFF) will continue through Feb. 15, and is expected to draw more than 35,000 people to the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw community.
The two-week, plus event has made Baldwin Hills Crenshaw its home for the past 20 years, beginning in 1996 when it hosted the festival as part of its Celebration of African American Heritage Event. This year, over 100 films will be screened at RAVE Cinemas.
The festival will also include a one-on-one conversation with Nate Parker, who is made his directorial debut in a feature film about the Southampton County, Virginia slave revolt, The Birth of a Nation.
As part of the festival, more than 6,000 students from across L.A. County and their teachers will participate in the annual StudentFest, engaging in discussions about the intersection of film and important societal issues such as teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, literacy, cultural and racial respect, teen self-esteem and gang prevention.
The festival will also feature a fashion show showcasing African fashions created by wearable art artists called ArtFest.
A detailed listing of all screenings and events is available at www.paff.org, where tickets are also available for purchase.
MEET & GREET WITH GRAMMY WINNING GOSPEL ARTIST ERICA CAMPBELL
The Black History Month celebration will conclude with a meet and greet event with Grammy award-winning gospel artist Erica Campbell of the Billboard chart-topping duo Mary Mary. Ms. Campbell and her sister Tina co-star in Mary Mary, a television series on WE tv that follows their daily lives as they balance their households and careers.
The meet and greet will take place in the Center Court on Thursday, February 25, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw’s Black History Month celebration includes events for the whole family. BHCP Kid’s Club is collaborating with the Pan African Film Festival to host a ChildrensFest, which will include a free film screening on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m.
Following the film, there will be storytelling and interactive activities focused on the beauty and artistry of African culture on the Macy’s Bridge from noon to 2 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public.
