This year I’m giving myself permission to take a day off of work and spend it here.
2012 marks the 20th year of the Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF), America’s largest and most prestigious international Black film festival. Established in 1992, PAFF is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of cultural and racial tolerance and understanding through the exhibition of film, art, and creative expression. This year, PAFF will be premiering “Think Like a Man,” the film adaptation of Steve Harvey’s best-selling book on opening night.
In addition to the regular film festival, PAFF offers special events for community residents, including their Children’s Fest and Senior Connections events. Also, teachers looking for a great cultural field trip that is free should register for StudentFest! Spend a day with your students at the movies as StudentFest pulls together the best student-friendly films from across the diaspora and showcases them for elementary school aged children through high school. After you’ve taken in some amazing cinema, visit the ArtFest that takes place in our Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall. Artisans from across the nation display everything from paintings and sculpture to housewares and beauty products. Join me and take a day and support PAFF this year and make their 20th year the strongest yet!
See you there!