Pan African Film & Arts Festival 2026

The 34th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) will be held from February 7 to 22, 2026.

Founded in 1992 by Hollywood icons Danny Glover (The Color Purple, Lethal Weapon), the late Ja’Net DuBois (“Good Times”), and Ayuko Babu, PAFF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to elevating Black narratives and imagery through film, visual arts, and diverse creative mediums.

For more than three decades, PAFF has stood as a leading international platform celebrating the African diaspora’s vibrant film and arts communities.

Recognized as the largest and most influential Black film and arts festival in the United States, and a key Black History Month event, PAFF annually draws filmmakers, artists, and artisans from over 40 countries spanning six continents to Los Angeles, spotlighting their vital contributions. The festival has evolved into the definitive global celebration of Pan-African culture.

Each year, PAFF’s film festival features over 200 exceptional new films representing the U.S., Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, the South Pacific, Canada, and increasingly, Asia.

Notably, PAFF is an Academy Awards–qualifying festival, offering eligibility in categories including Best Short Narrative Film, Best Short Documentary, and Best Animated Short.