Loop on Location: The 21st Annual Pan African Film Festival

We were LIVE on the red carpet talking with featured producers, directors and screenwriters!

Actors and actresses gathered inside the Directors Guild of America headquarters in Los Angeles to kick off the 21st Annual Pan African Film Festival (PAFF).

The 12-day film festival opened by premiering Vipaka during a red carpet gala on the Sunset Boulevard. 

“I’m happy to be here 20 years after when we launched this festival in ’92...big steps year after year and we’re proud to continue to support this festival,” said Ambassador  Filippee Savado, Pan African Cinema Visionary Award Honoree.

The gala also featured many of the producers, directors and screenwriters behind the films screened during the festival. 

Director, screenwriter and actor Sheldon Robins said he was there to check out the rising stars, adding “I’m always looking for talent.” 

Vipaka, which stars Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker and Anthony Mackie, is a psychological thriller that tells the story of a severely disturbed contractor who seeks help from a life coach to assist him in dealing with the death of his mother.

“I want to see a great film,” said Actress Reatha Grey, who is currently appearing in Betty White’s Off Their Rockers. “I know (Vipaka) is gonna be a very good film and I’ve actually never been to the Pan African Film Festival before, so I’m really excited about being here.”

Not all those in attendance went to showcase a film they created or starred in.

Actor Shameik Moore from Cartoon Network’s Incredible Crew was a guest and said he was excited to see other people.  

“I’m inspired just by watching other actors,” he said. “I just want to see some films and get inspired (and) support the other actors.”

Producer, Writer, Singer and Actress Kinnik Sky said she was there to see what is out there and meet the people. 

“I’m just supporting a lot of good friends and great projects,” said the 2012 NAACP Image Award recipient. 

The PAFF is the nation’s largest, most prestigious black film festival, showcasing both domestic and international films. The PAFF has selected a total of 154 films representing 34 countries, including 23 documentaries, 13 short documentaries, 67 narrative features and 51 narrative shorts. 

The PAFF runs through February 18 at the Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills 15 in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.

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