The 34th edition of the Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) will run from February 7 to February 22, 2026, in Los Angeles, continuing its mission to celebrate Black and African storytelling through film, art, and cultural programming.
Timed to coincide with global observances of Black History Month, the festival will present a wide range of feature films and short films that reflect the energy, identity, and aspirations of the African diaspora, according to Ecofin Agency.
Described as “the largest Black film festival in the United States,” according to the Los Angeles Times, PAFF has chosen “PAFF Soul” as the central theme for its 2026 edition.
The theme emphasizes the emotional, spiritual, and cultural depth of Black creative expression.
This year’s selections will spotlight stories centered on identity, perseverance, memory, affection, resistance, and liberation, reinforcing the festival’s long-standing goal of encouraging audiences to engage with film beyond entertainment, toward meaning, truth, and social connection.
The Pan African Film & Arts Festival is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as an Oscar-qualifying festival, according to its official website.
As a result, short films screened at PAFF are eligible for consideration in three Academy Award categories: Best Live Action Short Film, Best Documentary Short Film, and Best Animated Short Film.
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PAFF’s 2026 lineup includes films that explore African history and cultural influence. One of the featured works is Amazing Grace Yoruba Worlds (2025), directed by Haitian-American filmmaker Raynald Leconte.
The film examines Yoruba culture and its global impact on Afro-Brazilian traditions, while also tracing the journey of Wole Soyinka, the first Black writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986.
Beyond cinema, the festival will once again highlight ArtFest, a major marketplace that forms a core part of PAFF’s programming. Spanning several days, ArtFest will bring together visual artists, designers, and artisans from across the African diaspora.
Attendees will be able to explore home décor, artistic fashion, jewelry, and wellness products rooted in traditional knowledge and practices, creating direct commercial opportunities for exhibitors and visitors alike.
Each year in Los Angeles, PAFF convenes filmmakers, artists, and creatives from more than 40 countries across every continent.
Its expansive program features over 200 Black films from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, the South Pacific, Canada, and, more recently, Asia.
Founded in 1992, the Pan African Film & Arts Festival grew out of an initiative led by actor Danny Glover, the late Ja’Net DuBois, and activist Ayuko Babu.
The founders were united by a shared vision to elevate African and Afro-descendant cultures and ensure their stories are represented and celebrated on the global stage.
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Image Credit: Africa – Press
