PAFF 2025 Shines a Spotlight on Black Immigrant Stories Amid Rising Immigration Challenges
As immigration policies tighten and deportation rates climb, the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) steps forward to provide a critical platform for the stories of Black immigrants, offering a bridge of understanding through the power of film and art. In a time of heightened rhetoric and divisive policies targeting immigrant communities, PAFF’s mission to amplify voices that are often overlooked has never been more urgent.
For over three decades, PAFF has celebrated the rich tapestry of Pan-African culture, showcasing films, art, and narratives from across the African diaspora. This year’s festival spotlights the experiences of Black immigrants—their triumphs, challenges, and contributions—highlighting the unique struggles they face within the broader immigration landscape. Through storytelling, PAFF seeks to dismantle stereotypes, foster empathy, and ignite dialogue about the intersections of race, migration, and resilience.
Special Screening & Panel Discussion
PAFF is proud to continue its partnership with the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) by hosting a special screening of select short films entitled “Black Immigrants: Telling Our Stories & Visioning the Future”. The screening will be followed by a powerful discussion exploring the needs, challenges, and aspirations of Black immigrants. This event will also examine the deep connections between Black displacement, migration, and the systemic forces of racial capitalism and global anti-Blackness driving these issues.
Featured Panelists Include:
Tsion Gurmu – BAJI Legal Director
Kelly Lytle Hernández – Professor of History, African American Studies, and Urban Planning; Director of the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA
Tommy Franklin – Filmmaker of Mexico is Hell for Black Migrants
Kendrick Sampson – Actor and activist (Insecure, How to Get Away With Murder)
Moderator: Nana Gyamfi, BAJI Executive Director
📅 Date & Time: Saturday, February 8, 2 p.m.
📍 Location: Cinemark Baldwin Hills & XD, Los Angeles
🎟️ Tickets & More Info: Click here
The Power of Storytelling in the Fight for Justice
“BAJI is thrilled to be a PAFF sponsor again this year and to co-host this really critical screening and panel about Black immigrants at this time when racial justice and immigrant rights are under vicious attack,” said BAJI Executive Director Nana Gyamfi. “Film is a powerful storytelling medium for making true, necessary connections between the lived experiences of Black migrants and Black Americans. This is a must-attend event for all who know that none of us is free until we’re all free.”
For filmmaker Tommy Franklin, the urgency of amplifying Black immigrant experiences is deeply personal: “It doesn’t matter if it’s Mexico, Italy, New York, or Tanzania, no matter where I go, leaning into my Black community and learning ways we can care for one another and appreciate our Black stories in the worst of political times is the energy I’m working with these days.” Franklin adds, “For me, the visual medium of film is such a powerful weapon to slice through misconceptions about the Black diaspora and amplify the truths of our interconnectedness.”
As PAFF 2025 unfolds, this special screening and discussion will serve as a vital conversation at the intersection of race, migration, and activism. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with stories that matter and stand in solidarity with Black immigrants worldwide.
Stay updated on PAFF 2025 events, screenings, and discussions by visiting PAFF.org and following us on social media.
