CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: PAFF 2026 is Now Accepting Entries!
Lights, camera, legacy.
The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) is now accepting submissions for its 34th annual event, taking place February 9–16, 2026, in Los Angeles, California! As the largest and most prestigious Black film festival in the United States, PAFF is where storytellers from across the African diaspora come to premiere their work, connect with industry insiders, and be part of a powerful movement that celebrates Black voices, visions, and creativity.
We’re looking for bold, brilliant, and boundary-pushing films from filmmakers of African descent and those that explore the Pan African experience. All genres and formats are welcome—features, shorts, docs, animation, experimental, narratives, and everything in between.
Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker or an established director, this is your moment.
Important Dates:
🎬 Festival Dates: February 9–16, 2026
📅 Submission Deadline:
- Early May 31, 2025
- Regular July 31, 2025
- Late August 31, 2025
- Extended September 30, 2025 (Features only)
Why Submit to PAFF?
- Your film screened in front of one of the most diverse, engaged, and influential audiences in the country
- Networking opportunities with distributors, producers, artists, and industry leaders
- Eligibility for juried awards and audience prizes
- A place in history alongside some of the most important Black films and filmmakers of our time
Let your work be seen. Let your story be heard.
Submit now and be part of something bigger.
