Three Female Filmmakers Win Pan African Film Festival's John Singleton Short Film Competition

Three female filmmakers announced as winners 

of the John Singleton Short Film Competition

by Los Angeles City Council President Emeritus Herb Wesson Jr.

Los Angeles City Councilman President Emeritus Herb Wesson announced the winners of the John Singleton Short Film Competition during a private reception at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF). The winners of the John Singleton Short Film Competition (l-r)  Filmmakers Mitchell Branden Rogers, Chelsea Hicks,  Brandon Hammond, Jennifer J. Scott, LA City Councilman President Emeritus Herb J. Wesson, Jr, Sherri G. Sneed (Project Director),  Kemiyondo Coutinho and York Walker. 

Los Angeles City Councilman President Emeritus Herb Wesson announced the winners of the John Singleton Short Film Competition during a private reception at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF). In conjunction with PAFF and the city’s embRACE LA initiative, the film competition pays tribute to the critically-acclaimed film director John Singleton. Singleton is known for such classic movies as BOYZ N THE HOOD, POETIC JUSTICE, and BABY BOY. For helming BOYZ N THE HOOD, he became the first African American and the youngest person to be nominated for Best Director in 1992.

The three winners were awarded $20,000 each for the production and completion of a live-action narrative short film. Under the leadership of President Emeritus Wesson Jr., the embRACE L.A. is an initiative aimed at unifying Angelenos and empowering communities through a citywide conversation about race and racism, challenging and changing inequities. Launched by Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson and Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell the initiative seeks to foster understanding, healing, and growth throughout L.A. 

ABOUT THE PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL

In its 28th year, the Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) is America's largest and most prestigious Black film festival. This year, it screened a record-breaking 225 films, representing 52 countries in 26 languages. PAFF holds the distinction of being the largest Black History Month event in the country. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has designated PAFF as an official qualifying film festival for live-action and animation short films.

PAFF is a non-profit corporation, founded in 1992 by award-winning actor Danny Glover (“The Color Purple,” “Lethal Weapon” movie franchise), Emmy Award-winning actress Ja’Net DuBois (best known for her role as Willona in the TV series, “Good Times”) and executive director, Ayuko Babu, an international legal, cultural and political consultant who specializes in Pan African Affairs.  PAFF is dedicated to the promotion of ethnic and racial respect and tolerance through the exhibit of films, art, and creative expression.