DGA Monthly

1 6 I D G A M O N T H L Y DGA Hosts Filmmakers Brunch for the 34th Pan African Film and Arts Festival 5 The 34th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) took place from February 7-16, 2026. PAFF presents films that showcase the diversity and complexity of people of African descent. The DGA has served as a sponsor of the festival for more than a decade. On February 13, filmmakers with projects in this year's PAFF attended a brunch hosted by the Guild at our Los Angeles Headquarters. Following welcomes from DGA Special Assignments Executive Jennifer Peat, PAFF Executive Director Oduduwa Olatunji and PAFF Co-Founder Ayuko Babu, DGA Director-member/former African American Steering Committee Co-Chair Carl Seaton spoke to the attendees about the advantages of Guild membership, the work of the Committee, the DGA's work towards greater diversity and inclusion and maintaining longevity in the industry. The attendees also heard from PAFF Director of Special Operations J'Tasha St. Cyr, who shared festival tips for the filmmakers. Following the speakers, the attending filmmakers were invited to introduce themselves and their projects and reveal when they were being shown during the Festival. Afterwards, everyone convened on the patio deck for a commemorative group photo. Photos: 1. Former AASC Co-Chair/Director Carl Seaton speaks to the attendees about the advantages of Guild membership. 2-5. PAFF filmmakers introduce themselves and their projects, meet and mingle and pose for a commemorative group photo at the DGA-sponsored event. 1 2 3 photos by Quintin Lundy 4 See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. Indie Director Outreach Events DGA Hosts 2026 Slamdance Festival Filmmaker Welcome Event photos by Elisa Haber 1 The 2026 Slamdance Film Festival — which focuses on emerging artists — took place in-person from February 19-25 in Los Angeles. On the first day of the festival, the DGA hosted the welcoming event for this year's filmmakers at the Guild's Los Angeles headquarters. During the event, DGA Special Assignments Executive Jennifer Peat informed the attendees about the economic and creative protections and the sense of community that Guild membership can provide and noted that many DGA members screened their early work at Slamdance. The attendees also heard from Slamdance President & Co-Founder Peter Baxter, Film Festival & Screenplay Competition Manager Anna Lee Lawson, Slamdance Unstoppable Co-Founder Juliet Romeo and Board Member Paul Rachman and Co-Founder at Large Dan Mirvish. The filmmakers were then invited to introduce themselves and speak about their projects. The DGA is a longtime sponsor of the Festival. Among the filmmakers who are now noted DGA members who screened their early work at Slamdance are Directors Christopher Nolan, Lee Isaac Chung and Anthony and Joe Russo. Photos: 1. Attendees of the Slamdance filmmaker welcoming event pose for a group photo. 2-4 Slamdance President & Co-Founder Peter Baxter, Film Festival & Screenplay Competition Manager Anna Lee Lawson and Slamdance Unstoppable Co-Founder Juliet Romeo. 5-7. Slamdance filmmakers introduce themselves and their projects. 2 3 4 5 6 7

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