A host of LGBT-themed films make their way into the Pan African Film Festival.

by Jeff Katz

One of the country’s largest showing of black filmmakers, artists and musicians continues its 16-year tradition Feb. 7-18, with this year’s Pan African Film Festival. Aside from being America’s premier black film festival, PAFF is also recognized as the first black film festival to showcase LGBT people of color—and this year’s film selections certainly continue those representations.

Among the more than 100 films from every imaginable genre at this year’s fest, an all-star cast can be seen in Bill Duke’s feature, Cover. Vivica A. Fox, Patti LaBelle and Lou Gossett Jr. contribute to the story of Valerie Maas, a woman suspected of murder upon learning her husband has been leading a double life.

“When someone asks me about Cover, I do say that it is a thriller—but it’s also more than that,” says Duke. “We have a wide range of characters who represent different groups within the African-American community, and so you have different stories that overlap and combine. From that, we get to look at a lot of things, like the important role that faith plays in family, the give-and-take of a working marriage and the choices one makes that can prove to be destructive, particularly how secrets can have deadly consequences.”

Another highly anticipated LGBT-themed film is the world premiere of Jade Jenise Dixon’s Truth Hall. The dramedy (screening on Feb. 15 and 17) tackles a bevy of hot-button issues, including HIV in the black community, lesbianism, infidelity and homophobia. The film is the directorial debut for Dixon, who also wrote, produced and stars in the feature, which chronicles a group of women’s past indiscretions by exploring themes often ignored in the African-American community.

One such theme that many community activists say has been shoved back in the closet is that of gay black men. Writer/director Kirk Shannon-Butts seeks to change that with Blueprint, a provocative and very frank portrayal of two young, African-American men who find their individual identities through their dependent relationship. “My goal with Blueprint is to grow the aesthetics of black, gay, urban and independent filmmaking,” says Shannon-Butts, of the film some have deemed an “urban Brokeback Mountain.”

“My goal is to balance cinema through provocative stories and images of those members, citizens of the American landscape not fully addressed [or] realized in Hollywood films,” Shannon-Butts says.

Exposure to important but ignored topics is a primary goal for the festival as a whole. Dedicated to promoting cultural and racial tolerance, PAFF presents features from the United States, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and the South Pacific—all highlighting complexities within the community of African descendants. Previous noteworthy films at PAFF have included Days of Glory, Ray and Lackawanna Blues.

PAFF is more than just films, as one of the country’s largest fine art shows is also concurrently held at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. Openly gay artist Son of Ellis is a prominent addition to this year’s Art Mart, running the entirety of the film festival and free to the public.

Son of Ellis’ digital realism works will be on display alongside more than 100 other painters and craftsmen, including this year’s featured artist, Diana Shannon-Young. A number of her paintings can currently be seen at the Amhanson Theatre as a part of a show simultaneously running during the L.A. engagement of The Color Purple.

The opening and closing night galas are also must-sees at this year’s PAFF. Feb. 7’s star-studded opening night event at the Directors Guild of America will feature a screening of Namibia, Danny Glover’s feature that tracks the country’s long-fought road to independence.

Actress and activist Rev. Della Reese will be honored with the PAFF’s Lifetime Achievement Award on the Feb. 9 Night of Tribute. And star power will also be in full effect with the screenings of both the centerpiece and closing night films. Robert Townsend and Angela Bassett star in the Feb. 13 showing of Of Boys and Men, while Lynn Whitfield and Tyson Beckford star in the closing night world premiere of Kings of the Evening.

For more information of the Pan African Film Festival, or to purchase tickets, visit www.paff.org.