The long-awaited two-part action epic film of the life of Haitian revolutionary Toussaint Louverture, who led the only successful slave revolt in the history of the world, is set to have its US premiere in LA at the Pan African Film Festival on (PAFF)  February 12, and then on February 15 and 20. The Haitian revolutionaries defeated Napoleon Bonaparte and his imperialist armies (the superpower of his day) and won independence from France. Known for his military genius and political acumen, Louverture established Haiti as the first black modern nation-state. The success of Louverture and the Haitian Revolution shook the institution of slavery throughout the “New World” of the Americas and in Africa and caused Napoleon to sell the Louisiana territory to the United States because France did not have troops left to defend it. A must see!! Stars Jimmy Jean-Louis (Heroes, Phat Girlz) Aïssa Maïga (Bamako), Sonia Rolland (Midnight In Paris), and Hubert Koundé (The Constant Gardener). For the first time, PAFF will collaborate with the Roxbury International Film Festival (RIFF) for a West Coast/East Coast simultaneous screening of a selected film to be enjoyed by filmmakers on both coasts. Based in Boston, RIFF is the largest film festival in New England dedicated to honoring the work of emerging and established filmmakers of color and has become the largest festival in New England dedicated to this genre. Also, representatives from the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) will travel from the Motherland to Los Angeles, and celebrate the best in African filmmaking with a special reception. African films will feature prominently at this year’s festival with Leila Djansi’s award-winning ‘Ties That Bind’ also showing. Also from Ghana are ‘Destiny of Lesser Animals’ and ‘The Experience’.  South Africa will be showcasing 12 films including the award-winning ‘A Small Town Called Descent’.]]>