The Pan African Film and Arts Festival will hold its 7th annual event taking place February 18, 2005 at the Magic Johnson Theaters.

Based on the acclaimed autobiographical one-man show by Ruben Santiago-Hudson (who wrote the adaptation and appears in the film), and co-executive produced by the Academy Award®-winning actress Halle Berry, this warm and vibrant drama is an inspiring story of coming of age, of a mother/son love that transcends biological ties, and of an extraordinary woman who built a community and circumvented segregation in her own determined way.

Like a good blues song, the film strikes notes that are painful but beautiful, ones that remain alive to both the heartbreaks and joys of life. Starring S. Epatha Merkerson, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Jimmy Smits, Terrence Dashon Howard, Carmen Ejogo, Mos Def, Ernie Hudson, Macy Gray, Hill Harper, Rosie Perez, Delroy Lindo and Academy Award® winner Louis Gossett Jr., under the direction of Tony Award® winner George C. Wolfe and scored by Grammy Award® winner Meshell Ndegeocello.