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The 16th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival continues its tradition of providing a marketplace for filmmakers by announcing their signature selection of panel and workshops for its 2008 festival. Curated by acclaimed producer Sherri James, PAFF's panels and workshops are expected to draw thousands of attendees and are designed to provide resources for independent filmmakers. 2008 participants include studio executives, actors, directors, writers, musicians, and more! Panels and workshops range in cost from free to $20 and the PAFF offers a panels and workshops pass for $100 with guaranteed entrance.

2008 Highlights include A CONVERSATION WITH DIRECTOR CHARLES BURNETT moderated by actor and director Eriq La Salle Salle ("ER," "Heaven Can Wait") held in conjunction with the Directors Guild of America on Saturday, February 9 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Considered one of America's greatest filmmakers, Charles Burnett was first noticed in 1981 when his student film Killer of Sheep, won the Golden Berlin Bear Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival. Burnett's award-winning work has been declared a national treasure as one of the first fifty films on the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, it was also selected by the National Society of Film Critics as one of the "100 Essential Films" of all time. Burnett's other films include "Namibia: The Struggle For Liberation," "To Sleep With Anger," "My Brother's Wedding," and "Glass Shield."

In addition, on Saturday, February 9 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., journalist Jasmyne Cannick will moderate the panel MUSIC SUPERVISION...INDIE STYLE!, a discussion designed to introduce independent filmmakers with independent musicians and to discuss how the two can work together. Panelists include Grammy nominee VIKTER DUPLAIX.

Award-winning recording artist Patrice Rushen will participate in PAFF's MUSICALLY SPEAKING: HOW TO HIRE A COMPOSER FOR YOUR FILM panel taking place also on Saturday, February 9 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

America's top Black film festival directors and programmers will convene the FESTIVAL STRATEGIES: GETTING INTO AND GETTING THE BEST OUT OF FILM FESTIVALS panel moderated by African Voices' Sharifa Johka to discuss the do's and don'ts of the submission process and how to position your film for best exposure. Panelists include: Asantewa Olatunji, Pan African Film Festival, Tanya Kersey, Hollywood Black Film Festival, Reinaldo Spech, African Diaspora Film Festival, Reggie Scott, American Black Film Festival, and Charles Belk, Silver Lake Film Festival.