LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2010) — The 18^th Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF), America’s largest and most prestigious Black film and arts festival, has announced special screenings of the award winning documentary “Haiti: The Sleeping Giant” beginning February 11 through February 17 at various times throughout the day at the Culver Plaza Theatre (9919 Washington Boulevard L.A.).  Proceeds from tickets sold will go directly to the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund.

About Haiti: The Sleeping Giant

Documentary
2006 | 60 min | Haiti/U.S./Ghana, U.K. | English, French
Directed by: Love Joel Aryeetey

This documentary looks at the contribution of Haiti. On January 1st of 1804, Haiti became the second nation in the new world to establish an independent government. These achievements marked not only a burst of independence, but also emancipation from slavery. It started not as a result of a revolt, but out of the depths of human squalor. In 1787 the French revolution rocked France. The framers of the French constitution drafted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, and listed the inalienable rights of the individual. The right to liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression, as well as the rights to freedom of speech, were guaranteed. Unlike the US declaration of independence, the French revolution was intended to apply universally. It not only set fourth the fundamental rights of the French citizen, but also acknowledged these rights to all men, without exception. When the Haitian slaves started demanding their rights promised by the French revolution, the French colonizers quickly reminded them that the Declaration was intended for the Europeans only. This prompted the Africans to revolt, resulting in the first black republic.

About the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund

Haiti Emergency Relief Fund supports organizations giving humanitarian aid in the aftermath of this devastating earthquake to the people of Haiti.  www.haitiaction.net

About the Pan African Film & Arts Festival

Taking place February 10-17 in Los Angeles at the Culver Plaza Theatre (9919 Washington Blvd.), PAFF presents and showcases a broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes of Africans and African-Americans.  In addition to the film festival, the PAFF will present its world renowned Art Show February 12-15 at the Westfield Culver Plaza (6000 Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City), featuring over 100 fine artists and craftspeople from around the world showcasing the best in Black fine art, sculpture, photography, unique handmade crafts, home furnishings, designer jewelry, designer fashions and accessories that highlight the artistry and beauty of the African aesthetic. For more information, please visit www.paff.org or call (310) 337-4737.

It is PAFF’s goal to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. The PAFF believes film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.

The 18th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival is an official event of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s Black History Month Celebration and is sponsored in part by: the City of Los Angeles Los Angeles 8th District Council Member Bernard Parks Sr., Los Angeles 9th District Council Member Jan Perry, Los Angeles 10th District Council Member Herb Wesson Jr., Department of Cultural Affairs City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Africa Channel, Fox, Directors Guild of America, Sony Pictures, Water Replenishment District of Southern California, South African Airways, Wells Fargo, Time Warner Cable, and Macy’s. The 2010 PAFF is an official recipient of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009.

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