Anthropologist and historian Jean-Yves Loude shares the results of his in-depth investigation into Mandinka Emperor Abu Bakr II, who set off from the Senegalese coast at the head of a fleet of two thousand boats in 1311 according to a written account recorded in an official 14th-century encyclopedia. In parallel, the voice of Cheick Tidiane Seck is our guide on a journey to the heart of the Mali Empire: where the great Battle of Kirina took place, leading to the advent of an empire that would keep growing until Emperor Abu Bakr II set off on his exploration. This screening is the Austin premiere of this film.

Awards: Best First Feature Documentary, Jury Award at PAFF 2024

Followed by a conversation with DEFINITELY NOT A MONSTER director Brea Cola Angelo, THE ORIGIN producer J’Tasha St. Cyr, and THE ORIGIN actor Lanre Idewu.

Preceded by narrative short films: 

INNER DEMONS (11 minutes), dir. Jasmine J. Johnson
Mya’s world takes a harrowing twist when anti-depression pills unwittingly unleash a nightmarish entity that embodies her inner turmoil, entangling her in a life or death battle against her own psyche. A chilling exploration of the human mind’s darkest corners. Starring Ariel Brown, Tamiah Bantum, and Jasmine Ashanti.

Awards: Best Short, Programmer’s Award at PAFF 2024

DEFINITELY NOT A MONSTER (19 minutes), dir. Brea Cola Angelo
Months after his death, but still dealing with the fallout of rape allegations against her famous-actor husband, a widow arranges a televised interview with a famed journalist to set the record straight. But things don’t go according to plan. Starring April Grace and Brea Angelo. This screening is the Texas premiere of this film.

Awards: Best Short Script, Florence Film Award – 2019

THE ORIGIN (28 minutes), dir. Jorge Sanchez
Tep, one of the only legitimate heirs of an ancient extraterrestrial power, is forced to join forces with a wise sage and his tribal brother to fight off alien mercenaries sent to eliminate them. Starring: J. Chris Rouse, Morris Chestnut, Alimi Ballard, Keaira T. Schroeder, Page Kennedy, Jayce Kennedy, Lanre Idewu, Brooklyn Chance, David Hernandez, Mike Hill, Hari Williams, Wrekless Watson. This screening is the Texas premiere of this film.

PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL PASSES
Purchase a PAFF pass for tickets to all six PAFF screenings, taking place Thursday, August 15–Saturday, August 17, and receive 25% off the full ticket purchase price. AFS Members receive additional discounts on passes and individual tickets. The PAFF pass includes one ticket to each film screening and the opening night reception.

This project has been financed in whole or in part by the City of Austin’s Elevate Grant Program.

This project is supported in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts.