The world premiere of Blood Done Sign My Name is the Opening Night feature presentation of The 18th Annual Pan African Film Festival.
“Blood Done Sign My Name”, which opens nationally on February 19th from Paladin, stars Nate Parker as notable Civil Rights activist Dr. Ben Chavis, along with an ensemble cast that includes Lela Rochon, Omar Benson Miller, Afemo Omilami, Golden Globe-winner Ricky Schroder, Nick Searcy, Michael Rooker, Darrin Dewitt Henson, and Gattlin Griffith. The film is an adaptation of the best-selling book by Timothy Tyson and is written and directed by Jeb Stuart.
Taking place in the 1970’s in the rural community of Oxford, North Carolina, this epic civil rights drama, based on the acclaimed book of the same name, explores the racial upheaval—and ensuing social change—provoked by the acquittal of a white businessman and his son accused of murdering unarmed Henry Marrow, a 23-year old Black Vietnam veteran, in cold blood and in full public view. In response to the crime, and the sham trial that followed, young African American men decide to organize and “take it to the streets”. As a result of their organized efforts, the tobacco industry in North Carolina, that states main economic base at the time, is crippled and a number of young organizers, such as, Dr. Ben Chavis, Marrow’s cousin, who organized a peaceful march on the state capitol which began as a small group of Marrow’s friends and relatives and grew into a crowd of thousands, go 
on to national leadership. Meanwhile, ten-year-old Tim watches as his father, pastor of the all-white Methodist church, tries in vain to get his congregation to reconcile with their African American neighbors. But their refusal to relinquish their outdated racial attitudes prevent their acceptance of the fact that things are changing and will continue to do so regardless. An unflinching study in race relations and organizing during the civil rights/Black Power movements punctuated by the reality that the actions of a hand-full of organized people can bring about permanent change when they stand up for what is right and just. Stars Nate Parker (The Great Debaters) as notable Civil Rights activist Dr. Ben Chavis, Lela Rochon (Waiting to Exhale), Omar Benson Miller (The Secret of Saint Anna), Afemo Omilami (Forrest Gump), Golden Globe winner Ricky Schroder (Lonesome Dove, NYPD Blue), Nick Searcy (Cast Away), Michael Rooker (Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer), Darrin Dewitt Henson (Stomp the Yard) and Gattlin Griffith (The Changeling).
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bps0Eht9k_Q
Cast members and Dr. Chavis will be present at the screening tonight at 7pm at the Directors Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
The event will be hosted by award winning actress CCH Pounder (Avatar, Brothers).
For more information, including how to purchase tickets, please visit www.paff.org or call (310) 337-4737. PAFF takes place February 10-17 in Los Angeles, CA.
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