News on the march! Looking forward to what further develops from this in coming years; maybe a PAFF Filmmaker Labs, not-so-unlike those from Sundance and the IFP.

The shortened version…

The Pan African Film Festival is happy to announce the creation of the 2012 PAFF Film Institute, presented by Black Enterprise. The festival’s film institute will offer a four-part lyceum series, featuring one-day intensive workshops on various subjects, pertaining to the entertainment industry, such as acting, producing, directing, writing, distribution and marketing. Industry leaders, actors, actresses, directors, writers and film critics have been tapped to participate in panel discussions and workshops to engage and entertain festival goers, filmmakers and the public about the daily business of making entertainment profitable.

In creating the PAFF Film Institute, the mission of the festival is to promote and enhance the creativity and business aspects of entertainment for the professional growth of filmmakers. In its inaugural year, the PAFF Film Institute will concentrate on “the business of show business.” After all, there’s no business like show business!

Here’s a quick lineup on the PAFF Film Institute’s “Conversation With” series, presented by Black Enterprise.

Friday, February 10, 2012 | 7:30 p.m.

• “A Conversation With … Jeff Clanagan” President/CEO of Codeblack Entertainment.  Jeff Clanagan has managed to remain in front of the next wave for over two decades.   In 2005, Clanagan founded Codeblack Entertainment to provide clients with a fully-integrated suite of services that span the production and branding life cycles – from idea lab to execution.  With everything under the same, dynamic roof, Clanagan’s clients optimize their creative visions – and the art that is ultimately output – using both new and traditional entertainment media.  Jeff Clanagan, recognized as one of Black Enterprise’s  Top 50 Hollywood Power Brokers and a member of Ebony Magazine’s Power 150, is responsible for the release of nearly 200 DVDs. His projects have generated over $150 million in revenue. Moderated by Alfred Edmond, Jr., senior vice president/multimedia editor-at-large of Black Enterprise.

Saturday, February 11, 2012 | 7:30 p.m.

• “A Conversation With … Elizabeth Hunter” — a screenwriter. Hunter began her executive career as an intern with the Walt  Disney Company feature creative group and eventually rose to the  position of director of development at Universal Pictures. While there, she shepherded several films through production, including, “Apollo 13,” “Clockers,” “Crooklyn” and “Twelve Monkeys” Hunter left the studio executive ranks and became a writer. Paramount Pictures and MTV films produced her first screenplay, “The Fighting Temptations.”  The script earned her a spot on The Daily Variety’s prestigious “Ten Screenwriters to Watch” list. And the film won the 2004 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture. Hunter conceived, co-wrote and produced “Jumping the Broom” for Sony.  The film received an NAACP Image Award nomination this year for Outstanding Motion Picture. Moderated by a member of the African American Film Critics Association.

Sunday, February 12, 2012 | 7:30 p.m.

• “A Conversation With … Chris Spencer” – a writer, producer and comedian. It's hard to keep a straight face when talking to Spencer. He is one of the hottest comedic writers and producers in Hollywood. Various networks, like VH-1, Comedy Central and HBO have all used his talents to springboard many of their projects. He’s been the head writer for the “BET Awards,” the “BET Hip Hop Awards,” the “BET Honors” and the “Soul Train Awards” shows for the past few years. He’s had two comedy specials on the Showtime network – that is, "The Minority Report" and a one man show, titled "Chris Spencer… the Other Chris." He’s the author of  “150 Ways To Tell If You’re Ghetto.” Moderated by a member of the African American Film Critics Association.

Monday, February 13, 2012 | 7:30 p.m.

• “A Conversation With … Scott Aronson + Mike Regen of Melee Entertainment” — Aronson is the current COO of Melee  Entertainment as well as an attorney representing the legal and  business interests of a select group of independent film financiers, producers, writers and directors. As senior vice president of marketing and acquisitions at Melee Entertainment, Mike Regen wears multiple hats that give him a unique perspective on the process of acquiring, producing and marketing films. Melee was launched in 2002 as a joint venture with DreamWorks. It’s one of the leaders in urban-themed content, producing such films as  “Friday,” “You Got Served” and “Next Day Air.” Melee Entertainment just finished producing “The Under Shepherd,” directed by Russ Parr – the festival’s centerpiece presentation. Moderated by a member of the African American Film Critics Association.