The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is ready to take moviegoers on a cinematic journey with international film screenings from around the globe with the announcement of its Call for Submissions.
The 26th annual PAFF, the nation’s largest and most prestigious Black film festival will be held on February 8-19, 2018 in Los Angeles. Over the years, it has showcased films from all parts of the world, representing such countries as Angola, Nigeria, Jamaica, New Zealand, Rwanda, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Brazil, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, England, Mexico, Japan, France and of course, the United States. With the pulse on the international film market, PAFF has opened the minds of its audiences, and transported them to far away lands and back home again. “Over the years, the filmmakers from around the world have become more sophisticated in telling their stories,” says Asantewa Olatunji, the director of programming for PAFF. “In our ever shrinking world, it is so important to understand the experiences and points of views of diverse peoples and cultures.”
Last year, more than 100,000 people attended the 12-day international film festival, which has long been a highly anticipated event in Los Angeles attended by local, national and international guests. Currently, PAFF is accepting submissions of features and shorts; narrative and documentary films made by or about people of African descent. You can currently apply by going online to the PAFF website www.paff.org and clicking onto “Submit Film”. Fill out the online application and upload your film with your completed application.
You can also send in a (2) DVDs to PAFF Offices at 6820 LaTijera Blvd. Ste. 200, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
ELIGIBILITY:
PAFF is currently accepting applications for films and videos made by and/or about people of African descent. (Please note: the filmmaker need not be of African descent.) Preferably, films should depict positive and realistic images and can be of any genre – drama, comedy, horror, adventure, animation, romance, science fiction, experimental, etc. PAFF accepts features and shorts both narrative and documentary.
COMPETITION:
The PAFF competition categories are: Best Narrative Feature, Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary, Best Director – First Feature, plus a variety of Audience Favorite Awards. Films in competition must be copyrighted no earlier than 2016. With the exception of Audience Favorite Awards, films are judged by industry professionals. In addition to competition awards, other programming and festival special prizes will be awarded.
SUBMISSION:
For information about the festival, submission procedures, fees and registration, click www.paff.org or email [email protected]. Regular submissions are currently being accepted now through September 15, 2017. Late submissions will be accepted from September 16 to October 15, 2017. Submissions after October 15, must contact [email protected].
