Warner Bros. Pictures Presents PAFF Tribute Awards

Warner Bros. Pictures’ Space Jam: A New Legacy Presents the Pan African Film Festival Tribute Award Honors

PAFF Continues Facebook Partnership with Exclusive Livestream via Facebook Live

LOS ANGELES – The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) announced today it will broadcast its 29th annual Tribute Award Honors Show virtually throughout the world through its partnership with Facebook streaming Live exclusively on the PAFF Facebook page Thu., July 22 7:00 PM-9:00 PM PT. Watch the livestream on PAFF’s Facebook page here.  The PAFF Awards Show is presented by Warner Bros. Pictures’ Space Jam: A New Legacy available in theaters JULY 16th and on HBO Max. 

For nearly 30 years, PAFF has showcased films from all parts of the world, representing such countries as Angola, Nigeria, Jamaica, New Zealand, Rwanda, Canada, Mozambique, Egypt, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Brazil, Kenya, Fiji, Mexico, the U.K., South Africa, England, 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 places and back home again. 

“Over the years, filmmakers the world over 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.”

This year’s awards show will feature the following honors and talent:

JURY AWARDS

Awarded to festival-wide selected filmmakers (screenwriters, directors and producers) or content creators. JURY AWARDS are decided by an independent body of industry professionals and Festival alums.

 

BEST SHORT NARRATIVE
presented by Shola Adewusi (BOB ABISHOLA, WB TV & CBS)

BEST DOCUMENTARY 
presented by Vernee Watson (BOB ABISHOLA, WB TV & CBS)

BEST 1ST FEATURE
presented by Tory Kittles (The Equalizer, NBCUniversal & CBS)

BEST 1ST DOCUMENTARY
presented by Thomas Q. Jones (Johnson, Bounce TV)

BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
presented by Folake Olowofoyeku (BOB ABISHOLA, WB TV & CBS)

YOUTH VISIONARY AWARD 

Awarded to young filmmakers and content creators whose work shows a promising young start from their storytelling to their content creating styles. YOUTH VISIONARY AWARD is a new award this year.

BEAH RICHARDS AWARD

Awarded to up-and-coming female actors whose body of work thus far exemplifies a positive and uplifting Black image and experience.  Past winners of the BEAH RICHARDS AWARD include Tessa Thompson and Regina King.

CANADA LEE AWARD

Awarded to up-and-coming male actors whose body of work thus far exemplifies a positive and uplifting Black image and experience.  Past winners of the  CANADA LEE AWARD include Idris Elba, David Oyelowo and Nate Parker.

DJELI AWARD

Awarded to writers, directors, producers, actors, musicians, and promoters. In Pan African cultures, a DJELI is a storyteller, a historian, one who carries the culture and maintains the history. DJELI is a new award.

JA’NET DUBOIS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Awarded to actors whose body of work and achievements exemplify Black excellence.  Past winners of the  JA’NET DUBOIS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD include Alfre Woodard, Forest Whitaker, and Phylicia Rashad.

This year, PAFF competitions included over 65 World premiere titles and over 29 US premieres.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 29th Pan African Film Festival Tribute Award Honors Show will be held virtually on-line and on-demand exclusively via Facebook Live. The virtual component allows PAFF to reach a global audience. More information can be found at www.paff.org