Immediate Release
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

PAN AFRICAN FILM AND ARTS FESTIVAL TO HOST WORLD PREMIERE OF
ROBERT TOWNSEND'S ‘OF BOYS AND MEN' FOR CENTERPIECE PROGRAM

 Film Stars Robert Townsend, Angela Bassett, Victoria Rowell,
Dante Boens with Faizon Love, Vince Green, and Bobb'e J. Thompson

LOS ANGELES, CA – The PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL (PAFF) will host the WORLD PREMIERE of acclaimed director Robert Townsend's OF BOYS AND MEN starring Robert Townsend , Angela Bassett, Victoria Rowell, Dante Boens with Faizon Love, Vince Green, and Bobb'e J. Thompson. The star-studded premiere will take place on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 , 7 p.m. as part of the PAFF's CENTERPIECE program at the AMC Magic Johnson Crenshaw 15 Theaters located at 4020 Marlton Avenue Los Angeles , CA 90008 . Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance online at www.PAFF.org . For more information, please call (323) 295-1706.

OF BOYS AND MEN tells the story of family man Holden Cole who loses his wife in a fatal accident and with the help of his younger sister, leads his three children on a journey of healing and self-discovery, while battling his own demons of pain and regret. The story is seen through the eyes of the youngest son, who discovers through the loss of his mother what it means to be a man. A family drama set on the West side of Chicago , produced by and starring Robert Townsend (The Five Heartbeats, Meteor Man) and directed by Carl Seaton.

Cast members will be present.

Known for showcasing new films first and recognized as America's premiere black film festival, past PAFF features have included box office and award-winning hits: Ray , Lackawanna Blues , Redemption , Crazy As Hell , Kingdom Come , T he Brothers, Gridlock'd , Days of Glory , and the 2006 Academy Award® winner for Best Foreign Film, Tsotsi . . The film festival will take place in Los Angeles February 7-18, 2008 and is expected to draw over 40,000 attendees during its twelve-day run. Another 200,000 will attend the art show and other events. For more information, please visit www.PAFF.org .

About The Pan African Film and Arts Festival

The Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) was founded in 1992 as a non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of cultural and racial tolerance and understanding through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression. It is the PAFFs goal to present and showcase a 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.

2008 Pan African Film & Arts Festival Sponsors

The 2008 Pan African Film and Arts Festival sponsors help to sustain PAFF annually.  This year's Festival sponsors include grants from the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission as well as support from the Namibia Film Commission, Pan Afrikan Centre of Namibia, Directors Guild of America, African Ancestry, The Africa Channel, South African Consulate L.A., Sony Pictures, 20 th Century Fox, AMC Magic Johnson Crenshaw 15 Theaters, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, Target, 8th District Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks, 10th District Los Angeles City Councilman Herb Wesson, 9 th District Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry, Union Bank of California, Wells Fargo Bank, Starbucks & Urban Coffee Opportunities, Macy's West, Comerica, Water Replenishment District of Southern California, South African Airways, African Starr Rum, Adam's Travel, Four Points by Sheraton, Budget Car Rental, California State University, Northridge, French Consulate L.A., TV5 Monde, eHealthRecords, Black Business Association, The African Diaspora Foundation, Hip-Hop Association, Red Tea Rooibos, Our Weekly Newspaper, KPFK 90.7 FM, the Electronic Urban Report, The Immigrant Magazine, African Vibes Magazine, Save the Date Media Group, LLC, Google, Black Girls Rule, LaHitz Media, Sparkletts, Queen Aminah's Clothing, PXP, and Artists Interactive.

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Press Contact: publicity@paff.org