Best known for the biopic “The Josephine Baker Story,” in which she portrayed the legendary icon, Whitfield earned a Golden Globe nomination and an Emmy Award for “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Special or Miniseries for the movie.

A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she has won five NAACP Image Awards and received four nominations for her work in television and film.

“Lynn Whitfield is a force to be reckoned with on the screen, whether big or small,” says Ayuko Babu, executive producer of the Pan African Film Festival. “She brings a larger-than-life presence to all her roles, almost like she holding court, captivating audiences and delivering riveting performances each and every time.”

Previous recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award include Oscar-winner Louis Gossett Jr., Phylicia Rashad, Loretta Devine and Glynn Turman and Dr. Della Reese.