After 12 full days of showcasing an impressive slate of 173 films, the 26th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) announced the winners of its 2018 season. Borders (Frontières) directed by Woye Apolline Traoré was awarded the prize for Best Narrative Feature, and Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me directed by Samuel D. Pollard was awarded the prize for Best Documentary Feature.

The 27th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival will take place February 7 through February 18, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

26th Pan African Film & Arts Festival Winners

Best Narrative Feature
Borders (Frontières) (Burkina Faso)
Directed by: Woye Apolline Traoré

Best Director-First Feature Narrative
Kalushi (South Africa)
Directed by: Mandlakayise Dube

Best Documentary Feature
Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me (US)
Directed by: Samuel D. Pollard

Best Narrative Short
Kyenvu (Yellow) (Uganda)
Directed by: Kemiyondo Coutinho

Best Documentary Short
Mama (US)
Directed by: Nicholas Brennan

Programmers’ Award-Narrative or Documentary Short
Lalo’s House (Haiti/US)
Directed by: Kelley Kali

Programmers’ Award-Documentary
Barrow-Freedom Fighter (Barbados)
Directed by: Marcia Weekes

Programmers’ Award-Narrative Feature
Love Jacked (South Africa)
Directed by: Alfons Adetuyi

PAFF Directors’ Award-Feature Documentary (TIE)
King of Stage: The Woodie King Jr. Story (US)
Directed by: Juney Smith

Maynard (US)
Directed by: Samuel D. Pollard

PAFF Directors’ Award- Feature Narrative
The Train of Salt and Sugar (Mozambique/South Africa)
Directed by: Licínio Azevedo

Audience Award- Documentary Short
’63 Boycott (US)
Directed by: Gordon Quinn

Audience Award- Documentary Feature
Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me (US)
Directed by: Samuel D. Pollard

Audience Award- Narrative Short
For Evan’s Sake (US)
Directed by: Kirstin Lorin

Audience Award- Narrative Feature
Muslimah’s Guide to Marriage (US)
Directed by: Aminah Bakeer Abdul-Jabbaar