The Pan African Film Festival has been an eventful movement celebrating filmmakers, creatives and many more in media and entertainment. The theme for PAFF 2025 was ‘DREAM BEYOND!’
The Pan African Film Festival Awards Brunch was held on Monday, February 17, 025 in Los Angeles, California at the Palm Sophia Rooftop. The Awards Brunch was hosted by Actress, Essence Atkins with many celebrities present throughout the venue. Apple TV+ partnered with PAFF honoring ‘Severance’ star Tramell Tillman with the ‘Star on the Rise’ Award. Latasha M. Ford was on the red carpet to chat with Tramell Tillman, future filmmakers and many more. Tramell Tillman’s interview highlights his gratitude towards Apple TV+ embracing the project, the importance of positive black representation in media and the arts, and his role in a project that is helping to shine a spotlight on black creatives. Tramell Tillman (Seth Milchick)reflects on the significance of ‘Severance’, the support he has received from the Black community, and the need to continue uplifting and amplifying black voices. Check out the full red-carpet interview here (video):Tramell Tillman, Actor ‘Severance’ Rise on the Star Award Recipient
“It’s an uphill battle for us, and I’m glad to be a part of the Rights Act history.”
Full Interview Transcript Below
Latasha M. Ford:
Tramell, first off, congratulations and I do mean a huge congrats! You’re being awarded today with the ‘Star on the Rise’ award. What’s going through your mind right now? How are you feeling?
Tramell Tillman:
Honored, greatly honored. To be present, a part of a festival, a movement that is focusing on black representation, positive representation. It’s an uphill battle for us, and I’m glad to be a part of the Rights Act history.
Latasha M. Ford:
Would you have ever imagined this project, this series being the one that did it for you? You’ve been a part of many projects, and it’s not lost on me at all, but this is huge ‘Severance’ … this is a huge role.
Tramell Tillman:
It is. I think it speaks to the brilliance of the project. It speaks to the passion of the people that have embraced it. I’m so glad that Apple TV+ has embraced it. I’m so glad my community has embraced this show and I’m looking forward to more. It’s an honor.
Latasha M. Ford:
Why do you feel like it’s so important to continue to shine the spotlight on Black creatives? Black storytelling, Black films, Black series and Black projects and Black actors such as yourself?
Tramell Tillman:
We need our black creatives. They are an integral part of our storytelling, part of our American history. We would not exist without them. So anything that I can do, anything this program can do to help shine a light on them and uplift them and support them, it’s vital. Because without it, you’re silenced, and then that means we’re silenced as well.
Latasha M. Ford:
I couldn’t agree with that more. Before I let you go, because I know you have to get out of this sun, speaking of silence and not being silent as a black man, when you step into those rooms, when you sit at those tables and you’re asking for and demanding what it is you deserve, what you’ve earned and what you’ve worked for, how do you maintain and hold onto your boldness when it comes to your asks?
Tramell Tillman:
I have to lean on the people that have gone before me and more specifically my own family. My grandfather and grandmother were instrumental in the integration of public schools in Petersburg, Virginia. They did not back down. They traveled the country to ensure that people had the right to vote and made sure that black people went out and voted every election. So that’s the stock that I come from, and when I’m tapping into that, I’m tapping into that. That can’t back down because not only is it a denial of my history, but it’s a denial of myself.
Latasha M. Ford:
How are you going to celebrate today’s honor?
Tramell Tillman:
I’m going to bask in this sun. I wanna eat some good food. And listen to some good music and get to know these wonderful people that are part of this film festival. I’m just going to take it all in.
Latasha M. Ford:
Tramell, I promise I’m about to let you go but if I’m not mistaken. You are currently juggling Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning, as well as another project, and of course the Apple TV+ series Severance. How are you maintaining a healthy balance with all of this work that you have on your hands?
Tramell Tillman:
Lots of prayer! yeah, it’s important to take care of the temple and I also am blessed to have a wonderful community of people that believe in me, that support me and push me even when I feel that I can’t do it.
Latasha M. Ford:
Thank you so much for chatting with me. I really appreciate it. Congratulations on today’s honor. Thank you and cheers to many more to come.
Tramell Tillman:
Absolutely.
‘Severance’ Synopsis
Emmy award winning thrilling series ‘Severance’ is nothing short of complexity! A complex corporate conspiracy full of scientific advancements, and what many would perceive to be boring desk jobs and interesting Lumon employees. Mark leads a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives; when a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, it begins a journey to discover the truth about their jobs and themselves.
About Apple TV+
Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognition faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have earned 537 wins and 2,530 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
About Pan African Film & Arts Festival
The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) is one of the longest-running and most respected cultural events dedicated to showcasing the artistic achievements of the Black and African diaspora. Since its inception, PAFF has provided a dynamic platform for filmmakers, artists, and performers to share their stories, celebrate their heritage, and inspire audiences through powerful and thought-provoking works. More at paff.org.
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