One Spoon of Chocolate, an action thriller written and directed by RZA, will serve as opening night film at the 34th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) this month in Los Angeles.
The drama tells the story of an ex-military convict looking to make a fresh start in a small town. Instead of finding solace, he stumbles into danger.
“Opening PAFF with One Spoon of Chocolate underscores our commitment to bold, globally resonant Black storytelling and to filmmakers who push the form forward,” Oduduwa Olatunji, PAFF’s executive director, said in a statement Tuesday to Urban Hollywood 411.
“RZA’s film is kinetic, urgent, and unapologetically cinematic — an electrifying way to launch our 2026 film festival,” Olatunji added.
The ensemble cast includes Shameik Moore, Blair Underwood, RJ Cyler, Paris Jackson, Emyri Crutchfield, Michael Harney, and Harry Goodwins.
RZA, born Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, was a founding member of New York’s Wu-Tang Clan hip-hop collective.
He previously directed the films The Man With the Iron Fists (2012); hip-hop drama Love Beats Rhymes (2017) starring Azealia Banks, Common, Jill Scott and Lorraine Toussaint; and the crime drama Cut Throat City (2020) featuring Shameik Moore, Demetrius Shipp Jr., Denzel Whitaker, Kat Graham, rapper T.I., Terrence Howard, Rob Morgan, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, and Isaiah Washington.
PAFF showcases projects from Black creatives that reinforce positive images about African Americans and Africans. The festival was established in 1992 by Danny Glover (The Color Purple, Lethal Weapon), the late Ja’Net DuBois (Good Times), and Ayuko Babu.
This year’s gathering includes free panels with industry leaders on the business and future of filmmaking. There will also be a free children’s festival, complimentary screenings for seniors, a comedy show, a spoken word performance, and book signings.
The opening night premiere takes place Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 at the Directors Guild of America. More details on PAFF can be found here. Festival events are currently underway.
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