,

American Black Film Festival Concludes in South Beach with Gala Film Life Movie Awards Show

AOL Time Warner Chairman and CEO Richard Parsons Presents Special Award to Russell Simmons and Gabrielle Union Receives AOL Time Warner Rising Star Award

HBO Presents its Short Film Competition Winner Lincoln Presents the Lincoln Filmmaker Award and Blockbuster Presents the Blockbuster Audience Award

South Beach, FL, June 27, 2003 – Film Life’s Seventh American Black Film Festival (ABFF) culminated in South Beach, Florida on Saturday with the star studded Film Life Movie Awards Show sponsored by Lincoln. AOL Time Warner presented its Innovator Award and Rising Star Award to special honorees Russell Simmons and Gabrielle Union, respectively and winners of the Festival’s HBO Short Film and independent film competitions were announced during the gala awards show in the Jackie Gleason Theater.

A list of Hollywood celebrities, including, Cedric the Entertainer, Eriq La Salle, Jill Marie Jones, Jim Brown, Elise Neal, James McDaniel and Reginald Hudlin presented awards to independent filmmakers and actors at the Film Life Movie Awards show which was hosted by actor/director Robert Townsend and “Access Hollywood’s” Shaun Robinson. AOL Time Warner Chairman and CEO Richard Parsons made a surprise appearance to pay tribute to entertainment mogul and activist Russell Simmons. Actress Gabrielle Union was presented with the AOL Time Warner Rising Star Award. Olivia Smashum, senior vice president of subscriber marketing and business development, HBO, presented the grand prize to the winner of the HBO Short Film Award.

“We are delighted with the success of this year’s Film Life Movie Awards,” said Jeff Friday, president and CEO of Film Life, Inc. and ABFF festival director. “The show provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the world of independent filmmaking, as well as the work of established Hollywood icons. Congratulations to this year’s Film Life Movie Awards show winners. We look forward to televising the show next year so that this salute to Black cinema can be shared with the largest audience possible.”

Following are the various awards and their winners:

  • The AOL Time Warner Innovator Award to Russell Simmons.
  • The AOL Time Warner Rising Star Award to Gabrielle Union.
  • The HBO Short Film Award to Swallow, written and directed by Frank E. Flowers who receives $20,000 from HBO.
  • The Lincoln Filmmaker Trophy award to Skin Deep which was directed by Sacha Parisot. Parisot receives a two-year lease of a Lincoln Navigator.
  • The Blockbuster Audience Award for Best Feature Film to All About You, which was written and directed by Christine Swanson, a 1998 winner of the HBO Short Film Award. The winner receives a $15,000 prize from Blockbuster and DEJ Productions.
  • Best Performance by an Actress award presented to Janice Richardson for Anne B. Real. Essence and Movado sponsor this award and provide prizes to the winner.
  • Best Performance by an Actor to Steve White for his performance in Skin Deep. Phat Farm sponsors this award and provides prizes to the winner.

This year’s Film Life Movie Awards show also featured a stirring performance from Arista recording artists Kenny Lattimore and Chante Moore and a special presentation from Suehir Hammad from the Tony Award winning “Def Poetry Jam.” Previous Film Life Movie Award show participants and honorees have included, Mekhi Phifer, Samuel L. Jackson, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Chris Tucker, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, Pam Grier, Debbie Allen, Suzanne De Passe, John Singleton and Robert Townsend.

AOL Time Warner is the presenting sponsor of the ABFF and HBO is the founding sponsor. The Festival’s platinum sponsor is Lincoln. Essence, Heineken and Upscale are gold sponsors. Black Enterprise, Blockbuster and Miramax Home Entertainment are silver sponsors. Official sponsors include, ABC Inc., American Airlines, AXA Financial, BET, CBS, Daily Blossom, dv Republic, ENYCE, Florida Lottery, Fox Broadcasting, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Kodak, Martell Cognac, Maverick Entertainment, the Mayors Office of Film and Entertainment, Miami-Dade County, LuxeConcierge, Motorola, NBC, Nielsen Media Research, Phat Farm and UrbanWorks Entertainment.

Jeff Friday is a cofounder of the ABFF, which is now solely produced by Film Life. Friday has served as executive producer of the ABFF since its inception in 1997. Formerly known as the Acapulco Black Film Festival, the international film market attracts more than 2,500 attendees annually. This year marks the festival’s second year in South Beach.

Film Life, Inc. is a film marketing and distribution company based in New York and established by Jeff Friday. Its mission is to spearhead the commercial development of independent Black films.

AOL Time Warner is the world’s leading media and entertainment company, whose businesses include interactive services, cable systems, filmed entertainment, television networks, music and publishing.

,

The American Black Film Festival Announces 2003 Honorees Russell Simmons and Gabrielle Union

Russell Simmons to Receive AOL Time Warner’s Innovator Award Gabrielle Union to Receive the AOL Time Warner Rising Star Award at FILM LIFE Movie Awards Show Gala in South Beach, Miami June 21

New York, NY, May 30, 2003 – Film Life, Inc. and AOL Time Warner announced today that it will salute the outstanding work and exceptional achievements of entertainment mogul and activist Russell Simmons along with actress Gabrielle Union at the upcoming American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in South Beach, Miami. The star-studded Film Life Movie Awards Show, sponsored by Lincoln, will be held at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, June 21, in the Jackie Gleason Theater.

Russell Simmons will be presented with the AOL Time Warner Innovator Award. His close friend, Cedric the Entertainer, will present the award. Gabrielle Union will accept the AOL Time Warner Rising Star Award. AOL Time Warner is the ABFF’s presenting sponsor.

“AOL Time Warner is proud to honor Russell Simmons and Gabrielle Union — both luminaries in the entertainment industry,” said Gerri Warren-Merrick, vice president, community relations, AOL Time Warner. “Mr. Simmons’ and Ms. Union’s careers have made a profound impact on the African American community, as well as on the entertainment industry.”

“We are honored to salute the accomplishments of Russell Simmons and Gabrielle Union,” said Jeff Friday, president and CEO of Film Life, Inc., and ABFF executive director. “Undoubtedly, Russell Simmons is an icon in the entertainment industry. He has galvanized hip-hop from a small subset of music into a worldwide cultural explosion. The AOL Time Warner Innovator Award is a symbolic reminder of his distinctive and visionary career. Gabrielle Union in a short time has proven her ability as a television and film actress. She is indeed one of the industry’s preeminent rising stars,” Friday said.

As chairman and CEO of Rush Communications, Russell Simmons’ career has successfully built upon his vision of hip-hop as a deep cross-cultural common center. In his position, his watchful eye is on music, Def Jam Records; film, the SimmonsLathan Media Group; television, HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” and Peabody Award-winning “Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry”; Broadway, the critically acclaimed stage production “Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway”; the fashion industry, the Phat Farm and Baby Phat; finances, Uni Rush Financial Services; advertising, the dRush agency; technology, Rush Mobile; magazine publishing, “One World” Magazine; and most of all, in the community with Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network.

Gabrielle Union has made an indelible impact on Hollywood in a short time. She will next be seen in Columbia Pictures’ summer release Bad Boys II. Currently she can be seen co-starring with Jet Li and hip-hop artist DMX in Cradle to the Grave. Her other film credits include Deliver Us From Eva, Welcome to Collinwood, Abandon and Bring It On. On television she has appeared in the hit series “Friends,” “Moesha,” “ER,” “Dave’s World,” “The Steve Harvey Show,” “Sister Sister” and “7th Heaven.” Recently, Union was selected as Entertainment Weekly’s “IT Girl,” and one of E!’s “Sizzling 16” and Vogue Magazine’s “Next Generation of Movie Stars.”

The Film Life Movie Awards were established in 1997 and traditionally have been held as the culminating event of the American Black Film Festival. Uniquely, the Film Life Movie Awards salute the work high profile Hollywood talent as well as independent filmmakers.

“The Film Life Movie Awards were developed to bring together established entertainment icons with independent filmmakers who are moving toward establishing their body of work,” said Friday, creator of the Awards. “Like the ABFF, the Film Life Movie Awards provide a platform to honor artistic excellence in Black cinema.”

Other awards to be presented at the Film Life Movie Awards Show include the HBO Short Film Award, the Blockbuster Audience Award for Best Feature Film, the Lincoln Filmmaker Trophy, the Best Performance by an Actor, presented by Phat Farm and the Best Performance by an Actress, presented by ESSENCE. Arista recording artists Kenny Lattimore and Chante Moore will perform at the gala event that will be hosted by actor/director Robert Townsend, who also serves as chairman of the ABFF Advisory Board, and Shaun Robinson of “Access Hollywood”.

Now in its seventh year, Film Life’s ABFF was created to redefine, discover and honor artistic excellence in Black cinema. ABFF provides a platform for the innovative work of contemporary Black filmmakers. Formerly known as the Acapulco Black Film Festival, the five-day retreat and international film market attracts more than 2,500 attendees annually. This year marks the Festival’s second year in South Beach.

Film Life, Inc., is a film marketing and distribution company based in New York and established by Jeff Friday. Its mission is to spearhead the commercial development of independent Black films. Friday, a cofounder of the ABFF, has served as executive producer of the Festival since its inception in 1977.

AOL Time Warner is the world’s leading media and entertainment company whose businesses include interactive services, cable systems, filmed entertainment, television networks, music and publishing.

,

Seventh Annual American Black Film Festival to be held in South Beach, Florida June 18-22, 2003

AOL Time Warner Signs on as Presenting Sponsor

New York, March 25, 2003 – The stage is set in South Beach, Florida, for a special engagement as Film Life, Inc. returns with the seventh annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF), presented by AOL Time Warner Inc. HBO is the founding sponsor. Entries are now being accepted for the ABFF’s feature presentation, which includes cinematic works from black filmmakers around the globe. Appearances by established film industry heavyweights, aspiring actors and filmmakers, and rising stars are planned throughout the week of workshops, panel discussions, screenings, and special events.

“We are pleased to present the seventh annual ABFF, which was developed to provide emerging as well as accomplished independent Black filmmakers with a dynamic forum for showcasing their work,” says Jeff Friday, president and CEO of Film Life, Inc and ABFF executive director. “This year, we are continuing that mission as we host Governor Jeb Bush and the United Negro College Fund to announce The UNCF/Richard E. Norman Scholarship for African American Cinema. This scholarship will open new avenues for Black students pursuing filmmaking degrees and enliven the industry with a fresh pool of talent.”

“AOL Time Warner is proud to be a presenting sponsor of the 7th Annual American Black Film Festival. We’re especially proud of HBO’s role both as a founding sponsor of the ABFF and as patron of the HBO Short Film Award. As a company, we at AOL Time Warner are committed to finding and developing the widest possible diversity of talent. The ABFF is a particularly important opportunity for us to help bring to light the creative genius of black filmmakers and to infuse the entire film industry with new ideas, perspectives and energy,” says Gerri Warren-Merrick, Vice President of Corporate Community Relations.

ABFF Films are cast in competitive or non-competitive roles across two sections. Section one, the competitive showcase, includes the Feature Film Competition and the HBO Short Film competition. Feature films are eligible for The Blockbuster Audience Award, The Lincoln Filmmaker Trophy, The Best Performance by an Actor and The Best Performance by an Actress. Short films compete for the HBO Short Film Award and a $20,000 grand prize. The World Showcase, the ABFF’s noncompetitive section, highlights feature length films, works-in-progress and documentaries. The deadline for entries in all categories is April 5, 2003.

Held in conjunction with the ABFF, The Film Life Black Movie Awards, takes place on the final night of the Festival. It is dedicated to saluting the accomplishments of African Americans in Hollywood. Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, Debbie Allen, Robert Townsend, Mekhi Phifer, Delroy Lindo, Sanaa Lathan, John Singleton, Keenan Ivory Wayans, and Chris Tucker are among the many Hollywood luminaries who have participated in past shows.

AOL Time Warner is the presenting sponsor of the ABFF, and HBO is the founding sponsor. The Festival’s platinum sponsor is Lincoln. Other sponsors include ABC Inc., American Airlines, Black Enterprise, Blockbuster, Daily Blossom, Daily Variety, DV Republic, Essence, Heineken, Kodak, Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Upscale, UrbanWorks Entertainment.

The ABFF has premiered a number of films that have subsequently received wider theatrical distribution. These include, One Week directed by Carl Seaton (Film Life), Crazy As Hell directed by and starring Eriq LaSalle and Hav Plenty (Miramax) directed by Christopher Scot Cherot. Last year’s award winning films were The Riff starring Antonia Fargas and Nia Peebles and Civil Brand directed by Emmy® Award winner Neema Barnette. Actress Monica Calhoun took home the Audience Award for her performance in Pandora’s Box, and actor Clifton Powell garnered the Audience Award for his role in Civil Brand. The HBO Short Film Award grand prize went to “Quest to Ref” written and directed by Benjamin Watkins, who also starred in the film.

Jeff Friday is one of the original co-founders of the ABFF, which is now solely produced by his company Film Life. Friday has served as executive producer of the ABFF since its inception in 1997. Formerly known as the Acapulco Black Film Festival, the five-day retreat and international film market, attracts more than 2,500 attendees annually. It was held in South Beach for the first time last year.

Film Life, Inc is a film marketing and distribution company based in New York and established by Jeff Friday. Its mission is to spearhead the commercial development of independent black films.

AOL Time Warner is the world’s leading media and entertainment company, whose businesses include interactive services, cable systems, filmed entertainment, television networks, music and publishing.

,

6th Annual HBO Short Film Award Open to Aspiring Black Filmmakers

Five finalists to be selected to attend the 7th Annual American Black Film Festival in South Beach, June 18-22, for final round of competition and $20,000 grand prize

New York, N.Y. February 13, 2003 – Home Box Office will once again showcase the works of aspiring black filmmakers with the presentation of its 6th annual HBO Short Film Award at the 7th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in South Beach, FL, June 18-22, 2003. The ABFF is presented by Film Life, Inc. and sponsored by HBO.

“Since the beginning, the response to the HBO Short Film Award and the ABFF have been tremendous,” said Olivia Smashum, senior vice president, subscriber marketing and business development at HBO.” This response has reinforced all our efforts on behalf of new filmmakers and has created an atmosphere of enthusiasm that is seen both in the film industry and the general public.”

Seeking to encourage and recognize the works of up-and-coming talent, the HBO Short Film Award is now accepting submissions. The competition is open to filmmakers of African descent who have directed or written and produced a short fictional film of 30 minutes or less. It is open to U.S. and international entries and films must be in English or contain English subtitles and produced after January 1, 2002. Film entries must arrive at the ABFF offices postmarked by the deadline date of April 5, 2003.

Short films previously selected as winners at other film festivals or previously submitted to the HBO Short Film competition under a current or former title are not eligible. Films must also not have had previous cable broadcast screenings.

Submissions will be accepted on 1/2″ VHS cassettes and must be accompanied by an official HBO/ABFF entry form and $25.00 submission fee. Entry forms are available by calling the ABFF at 212-966-2411 ext. 400 or by downloading the form from www.abff.com.

A panel of industry professionals will select five films to be screened at the ABFF in South Beach for the final round of competition. One grand prize winner will be awarded $20,000 by HBO during the festival’s closing ceremonies on Saturday, June 21.

Last year, HBO presented the grand prize to writer/executive producer Ben Watkins for his film “Quest to Ref,” the story of an aspiring basketball ref who tries to bring fairness to an inner-city court game. The four runners-up were Dandara, co-writer/director of “A Funeral at the Samba School”; Desha Dauchan, writer/director of “Whispers”; Jerrold Howard, writer/director/animator of “See the Truth”; and Sechaba Morojele, writer/director of “Ubuntu’s Wounds.”

Home Box Office is the premium television programming division of Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P., providing two 24-hour premium television services, HBO and Cinemax. Together, both networks reach approximately 39 million subscribers in the United States via cable and satellite delivery. Home Box Office’s international joint ventures bring HBO branded services to more than 50 countries around the globe.

The American Black Film Festival is a five-day retreat and international film market created to provide independent black filmmakers with a forum in which to expose their films to film buyers and the general public. Through competitive film showcases, designed to recognize merit in both feature-length and short filmmaking, the next generation of directors, writers, producers and actors are annually unveiled. Film Life, Inc., a New York City-based film marketing and distribution company led by founder and CEO Jeff Friday, produces the ABFF.