The 32 nd Pan African Film & Arts Festival, America’s largest Black-themed filmfest, is taking
place Feb. 7 – Feb. 19 in Los Angeles. During Black History Month PAFF annually screens
movies ranging from Hollywood studio productions and Hallmark Channel TV-movies to indies,
foreign films, documentaries, low budget productions, shorts, animation, etc. Films span the
spectrum from Oscar nominees to hard-to-find gems from Africa, the Caribbean, America and
beyond that L.A. viewers are unlikely to be able to see at any other venue. Here are reviews of
just a few of the films audiences have an opportunity to see.
KIPEKEMBOI: KENYA’S GENIUS, FROM A MUD HUT TO WALL
STREET
African director Charles Uwagbai’s charming Kipkemboi is a well-made Kenyan-Canadian co-
production that has almost every ingredient for a film to succeed. In no particular order these
factors include: A David versus Goliath storyline that has you rooting for the underdog;
attractive protagonists; hiss-worthy villains; plot twists; young love; on location shooting at
exotic places; strong female characters; an uplifting POV; and more.