PAFF INSTITUTE
As one of the many exciting programs of the Pan African Film and Arts Festival, the PAFF Institute serves as a platform to amplify the voices of industry powerhouses, community influencers, sports figures, cultural icons, thought leaders, and disruptors who seek to educate, inspire and empower those who desire personal and professional elevation. The PAFF Institute makes necessary conversations happen… and when these conversations happen, you definitely want to be in the room!
*All PAFF Institute programs are free.
Stocker Street Creative Pop-Up Gallery
Thu, Apr 21 @ 4:00 PM
Thu, Apr 28 @ 5:00 PM
A “First look” opportunity to view renderings, preview community plans, and ask questions for the new entertainment studio and creative campus being built in Baldwin Hills. Hosted by SSC Development Team
Location: SSC Gallery, BHC 2nd level (#272)
Tickets: Free
RSVP: [email protected]
Sponsored by: 
PAFF TABLE TALK: All Artists Have a Seat at the Table
Thu, Apr 21 @ 7:00p
An in-depth discussion about how the IKEA and PAFF collaboration was born and a conversation with the artists who participated.
Moderator: Kevin Mathews, Regional Marketing Manager, IKEA North America Services
Panelists: Allohn Agbenya (ArtFEST Director); Charles A Bibbs; Sandra Zebi; Aziz Diagne; MOA
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free
RSVP: [email protected]
Sponsored by:
Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community
Thu, Apr 21-Sun, May 1
This digital panel discusses the context of entrenched institutional, structural and systemic racism, monopoly capitalism, sexism, gender identity, socialism, intersectionality, Pan Africanism, Mother Nature (COVID-19 and climate change).
Moderator: Journalist Jasmyne Cannick
Panelists: Ayuko Babu, Professor Angela Davis, Dr. Melina Abdullah, historian Dr. Gerald Horne
Earth Day: How You Can Help Protect Our Community from the Oil Field in Our Backyard
Fri, Apr 22 @ 4:30p
The Inglewood Oil Field, right here in Baldwin Hills, is the largest urban oil field in the US. More than a million people live within 5 miles of Inglewood Oil Field and it exposes residents to toxic chemicals, which can cause a vast amount of public health concerns like respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Learn about the impacts of oil fracking on our public health, especially in Black communities, and how you can help us transition to a better, cleaner, future for all.
Moderator: Josiah Edwards, Sunrise Movement Los Angeles
Panelists: Damon Nagami, Senior Attorney and Director of NRDC’s Southern California Ecosystems Project, Veronica Flores, Chief Executive Officer at Community Health Councils, Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Supervisor 2nd District, David Haake, M.D., Chair of Clean Break Team, Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club, and Kaela Thomas from Black Women for Wellness.
Location: SSC Gallery, BHC 2nd level (#272)
Tickets: Free
RSVP: [email protected]
Sponsored by: 
Women Behind the Scenes
Fri, Apr 22 @ 6:00p
BIPOC women are working behind the scenes and bringing their POV, life experiences and talents to film and television projects. Learn from an all-female panel discussion about the importance of gender representation in the entertainment industry and why representation empowers and amplifies female voices for the culture.
Moderator: Dominique DiPrima, KBLA 1580AM Talk Radio
Panelists: Jessica Sarowitz (Founder, Miraflores Films & 4S Bay Partners), Areva Martin, Camille Tucker, Tina Farris
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free
RSVP: [email protected]
Sponsored by:
Visionaries of the Next Generation: Kids in the Industry
Sat, Apr 23 @ 2:00p
For ages 13 years and up. Word Onna Street host a young entertainment panel that highlights young professional filmmakers, actors, directors and entrepreneurs. @ WordOnnaStreetPodcast
Moderators: Noah Abbott and Cedric “CJ” Joe
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free.
RSVP: [email protected]
How to Light Black People: A Workshop with Christian Epps CANCELLED
Sat, Apr 23 @ 3:00p
Through the depths of filmmaking, Christian Epps will talk about how to properly light African American Actors in front of the camera.
Being Your Authentic Self: A Conversation with Tabitha Brown
Sat, Apr 23 @ 4:00p
Tabitha Brown, actress & social media personality, is America’s favorite auntie! Tabitha will host a discussion on being your authentic self in the entertainment industry.
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free.
RSVP: [email protected]
Behind the Music: The Influence of Music in Movies and Film
Sat, Apr 23 @ 6:00p
A conversation with Black Composers, Artists, and Music Supervisors.
Moderator: Sherise Ford
Panelists: Ben Lakey, Gizzle (Grammy-nominated Artist/Songwriter; Black-ish, BAD, Brian Banks), Michael Akiko (Head of Music at Warner Media)
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free.
RSVP: [email protected]
Sponsored by: SHE RISE 
From Actress to Director: A Conversation with Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Sun, Apr 24 @ 12:00p
Thirty-year industry veteran Salli Richardson-Whitfield had a successful career as an actress before she caught the directing bug. She directed episodes of “Eureka” and “Queen Sugar” and is currently directing the award-winning HBO “Gilded Age,” a period piece that has garnered many awards. Salli knew she belonged behind the camera and transitioned from acting to becoming one of the top three most successful female/women of color TV directors to date! Join us for a one-on-one conversation as we discuss her dynamic trajectory in Hollywood.
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free.
RSVP: [email protected]
USC Vision of Voices Presents: Filmmaking for Social Change
Sun, Apr 24 @ 2:00p
USC Vision of Voices presents filmmaking for social change with USC panelists who will discuss the films and filmmaking strategies used in making films that influence social change.
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free
RSVP: [email protected]
Sponsored by: 
Black Creators in Hollywood: Above the Line
Sun, Apr 24 @ 3:00p
Learn how a film is created from start to finish. Our above-the-line panelists guide and influence the creative direction, process, and voice of a given narrative in a film and related expenditures.
Panelists: Dallas Jackson (Producer), Holly Carter (Executive Producer), Rae Benjamin (Writer, “In The Cut”)
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free
RSVP: [email protected]
Homebuyers Workshop Presented by Union Bank
Fri, Apr 29 @ 12:00p
This powerful home buyer, real estate, financial literacy workshop will include representatives from a range of organizations including Rosa Amaya, Union Bank Mortgage Consultant, Gwen Allen, R.S. Copper & Associates Realty, Real Estate Associate Anna “Queen” Tutt, Sherry Bailey, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, and Dr. Rosie Milligan, Senior Estate Planner. The panel will be moderated by Vernell Taylor, VP, Regional Manager, Community Outreach Specialist Student-Run Branch Program.
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free + Plus Free PAFF Souvenir Book for Attendees
RSVP: [email protected]
Small Business Financial Educational Workshop Presented by Union Bank
Fri, Apr 29 @ 1:00p
Financial literacy can take your small business to the next level.
Panelists: Mussie Assofaw, Union Bank Small Business Specialist, Ryan Castillo, Union Bank Small Business Relationship Manager, and Khalifa Bey, Founder of South LA Bureau of Tourism and Trade. The panel will be moderated by Vernell Taylor, VP, Regional Manager, Community Outreach Specialist Student-Run Branch Program.
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free + Plus Free PAFF Souvenir Book for Attendees
RSVP: [email protected]
Motion Picture Editors Guild: African-American Steering Committee on Post Production
Sat, Apr 30 @ 12:00p
A discussion with some of the most successful film production professionals in the business.
Moderator: Leander Sales (Picture Editor)
Panelists: James Wilcox (Picture Editor), Bobbi Banks (Supervising Sound Editor), Anedra Edwards (VFX Editor), Aimee Jennings (Picture Editor)
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free
RSVP: [email protected]
Representation Roundtable: A Conversation with Black Agents, Managers, and Attorneys
Sat, Apr 30 @ 2:00p
Ashley Calloway and Diverse Representation present an informative and engaging conversation featuring Black agents, managers, and attorneys who will discuss the nuances of representation and debunk some common myths and misconceptions. Panelists will share what they typically look for when taking on new clients and how to gauge whether an agent, manager, or attorney is the right fit.
Panelists: Ashley Calloway (ColorCreative), Kevin Turner (Daniel Hoff Agency), Rae Benjamin (Writer, “In the Cut”)
Hosted by: Ashley Calloway
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free
RSVP: [email protected]
Everything Entertainment: Movies, Music & More
Sat, Apr 30 @ 4:00p
PAFF Millennial Ambassador & CEO of Miss Everything Entertainment, J’Tasha St.Cyr, leads a discussion with successful actors, producers, and directors who will focus on how they juggle wearing multiple hats and handle multiple jobs in entertainment.
Panelists: Bre-Z (All American), Lala Milan (Boomerang), Kris D Lofton (Power Force)
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free
RSVP: [email protected]
Sponsored by:
True to The Game: A Conversation with Manny Halley
Sat, Apr 30 @ 6:00p
Join us for a conversation with the Executive Producer of the film trilogy “True To The Game.”
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free
RSVP: [email protected]
Up Close and Personal
Sun, May 1 @ 2:00p
Think you can’t purchase a home or that you’ll never be able to retire? Everything is possible. Get the information you need to get your financial life in order: Home Buying & Selling/Probate/Estate Planning/Trusts/Taxes/Retirement/Life Insurance. Meet the experts.
Hosted by: Linda Bronson-Abbott & Sherri Reese
Location: PAFF Institute Lounge, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 1st level
Tickets: Free
RSVP: [email protected]