The 33rd Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) took place from February 4-17, 2025. PAFF presents films that showcase the diversity and complexity of people of African descent. The DGA has served as a sponsor of the festival for more than a decade. On February 14, filmmakers with projects in this year’s PAFF attended a brunch hosted by the DGA at the Los Angeles Headquarters.
Following welcomes from DGA Special Assignments Executive Jennifer Peat and PAFF Executive Director Ayuko Babu, DGA Director-member Kevin Bray spoke to the attendees about the advantages of Guild membership. Former DGA African American Steering Committee Co-Chair Princess Monique spoke about the filmmaker's journey and Former Co-Chair Jeffrey Byrd also spoke about the work of the Committee and the Guild’s work towards greater diversity and inclusion in the industry. PAFF Co-founder/DGA Director-member Danny Glover shared his philosophy on filmmakers and the arts and PAFF Executive Director Oduduwa Olatunji and Director of Special Operations J’Tasha St. Cyr shared festival tips for the filmmakers.
After the speakers, each attendee was invited to introduce themselves and their projects and reveal when they were being shown during the Festival. Then everyone convened in the lobby for a commemorative group photo.
About the Festival
Dedicated to promoting racial tolerance through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression, PAFF presents films and the works of fine artists and craft persons to showcase the diversity and complexity of people of African descent from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, South America, Europe, the South Pacific and Canada. The DGA has served as a sponsor of the festival for more than a decade. For more information about PAFF visit their website at http://www.paff.org.