The Pan African Film & Arts Festival announced the winners for their annual filmmaker awards. “We Grown Now,” starring Jurnee Smollett, S. Epatha Merkerson and Lil Rel Howery and directed by Minhal Baig, took home the festival jury’s Best Feature Narrative prize.
Set in 1992, “We Grown Now” tells the riveting story of two young legends in their own right, best friends Malik and Eric traverse Chicago, looking to escape the mundaneness of school and the hardships of growing up in public housing. Their unbreakable bond is challenged when tragedy shakes their community just as they are learning to fly. Stars Jurnee Smollett, S. Epatha Merkerson and Lil Rel Howery.
Click here on PAFF Virtual Cinema to purchase individual screenings & view detailed information on the films available online during our virtual festival from Feb. 20th – March 31st, 2024.
The full list of award winners at the 32nd Pan African Film & Arts Festival:
JURY AWARDS
Best Feature Narrative
(US)
Director: Minhal Baig
Best First Feature Narrative
Power Alley
(Brazil)
Director: Lillah Halla
Best Feature Documentary
Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes
(US )
Director: Ben Shapiro and Sam Pollard
Best First Feature Documentary
Brief Tender Light
(Ghana)
Director: Arthur Musah
Best Short Narrative
The Last Ranger
(South Africa)
Director: Cindy Lee
Best Short Documentary
Own the 8 Count
(US )
Directors: child
AUDIENCE FAVORITE AWARDS
Narrative Feature
Doka
(Ethiopia)
Directors: Kidist Yilma
and
(US )
Director: Mario Van Peebles
Documentary Feature
HumaniTree: A Story of Us Humans
(UK)
Director: Nuakai Aru
and
Respect My Crown: The Rise of African American Women in California Politics
(US )
Director: Pamela Bright-Moon
Short Narrative
Superman Doesn’t Steal
(US )
Director: Tamika Lamison
Short Documentary
The Orchestra Chuck Built
(US )
Directors: Christopher Stoudt
PROGRAMMERS’ AWARDS
Best Narrative Feature
Outlaw Posse
(US )
Director: Mario Van Peebles
Best Documentary Feature
One Person, One Vote
(US)
Director: Maximina Juson
Best Short
Inner Demons
(US)
Director: Jasmine J Johnson
JA’NET DUBOIS FESTIVAL AWARDS
Best Narrative Feature
Bob Marley: One Love
(US)
Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green
Best Documentary
Sing! Fight! Sing! Fight! From LeRoi to Amiri
(US)
Director: Colin Still
Best Short
As the Cookie Crumbles
(US)
Director: Aimiende Negbenebor Sela
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