PAFF 2025: A Celebration of Black Film, Culture, and Creativity

The Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF), the largest Black film festival in the United States, kicks off today, February 4, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. Running until February 23, this year’s festival promises to be a remarkable celebration of Black storytelling, talent, and culture.

Since its founding in 1992 by Ayuko Babu, actor Danny Glover and actress Ja'Net DuBois, PAFF has been dedicated to showcasing the best in Black cinema from across the globe. Over the years, it has helped launch the careers of numerous Black filmmakers, providing a platform where diverse stories from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas can be seen and celebrated.

This year’s festival features a staggering lineup of over 150 films, including 46 documentaries, 100 narratives, 46 feature films, 100 short films and Six web series

PAFF 2025 will host 30 world premieres, 16 U.S. premieres, and 36 West Coast premieres, along with Oscar-contending films like Soundtrack to a Coup D’État and Nawi, Kenya’s official submission for the 97th Academy Awards.

The opening night film, Magazine Dreams, stars Jonathan Majors, a PAFF ambassador and past award recipient, bringing a powerful story of ambition and self-discovery to the festival

This year’s festival emphasizes representation, with contributions from 51 female filmmakers spanning 34 countries and 19 languages. This diverse lineup underscores PAFF’s commitment to telling multifaceted Black stories from across the diaspora

Beyond film screenings, PAFF also features panel discussions, workshops, and live performances, offering attendees opportunities to engage with industry professionals and artists.

Whether you’re a longtime film enthusiast or someone looking to support Black creatives, PAFF 2025 is a festival you won’t want to miss. It continues to be a beacon of Black storytelling, proving that the richness and depth of these narratives deserve the global stage.

For tickets, event schedules, and more information, visit PAFF’s official website.