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Robert Townsend’s “The Ultimate Pitch Master Class” Tour Kicked Off in New York City

NEW YORK, NY (December 2, 2009) – More than 200 aspiring writers, directors and producers from as far away as Seattle, took part in acclaimed producer/director Robert Townsend’s “The Ultimate Pitch Master Class” lecture series in New York recently. The three-hour session designed to teach aspiring filmmakers how to pitch their ideas to networks and studios, also awarded two lucky participants with a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with Townsend and develop a project to pitch to a Hollywood studio.

“I was truly inspired as I heard pitches from a new wave of writers, directors and filmmakers. Our three hour session turned into six hours, with the last three being held impromptu at a park in the middle of Manhattan. I could feel the spirits of these artists being changed forever,” said Townsend. Over the years, Robert Townsend has created a unique and diverse body of work covering various genres, with comedies like, “Hollywood Shuffle”, musicals like “The Five Heartbeats”, fantasy comedies like “The Meteor Man”, sit-coms like “The Parenthood” and epic dramas like “10,000 Black Men Named George”. Currently, Mr. Townsend is busy at work with seven projects in various stages of development and completion.

Sponsored by Film Life, Inc., producers of the American Black Film Festival, the Ultimate Pitch Master Class tour is a vehicle to bring the educational aspects of the festival to a broader audience. “The festival’s mission is to facilitate distribution opportunities for quality films and introduce the top echelon of emerging artists to the industry at large. Robert is one of the most innovative artists working in Hollywood and his willingness to share his technique from concept to development, through the various stages of rewrites and pitching to studios is a testament to his commitment to the next generation of filmmakers,” said Jeff Friday, CEO of Film Life, Inc.

“I have been making films since 2006 and my first short film, “The Let Out Guys” premiered at the ABFF film festival in 2006. I attended the Ultimate Pitch class to present “The Let Out Guys” as a feature film and to get some feedback on the project,” said Selton Shaw, a DC resident and winner of the pitch contest. “Being able to directly pitch my idea directly to Mr. Townsend, and being selected to present it to a studio was a one in a lifetime opportunity. I’m anxious to get started and move forward with the project,” Shaw added.

Townsend also selected Ronald Hemphill of Washington, DC to work with and develop his story and pitch to a network or studio. “The Ultimate Pitch seminar in New York was empowering! Hemphill said. “It was the first time I’ve been in an environment that everyone wants to help you. After I made my pitch and it was selected, I was so overcome with joy I broke down right on the stage,” he added.

Robert Townsend’s Ultimate Pitch Master Class continues its nationwide tour in 2010, with Charlotte, North Carolina as the second stop on February 20. Townsend will again listen to pitches from class attendees and help critique, refine and further develop those presented in the session.

Film Life, Inc., is a New York-based marketing, media and distribution company that was founded in 2002 by Jeff Friday, its CEO. The company’s mission is to spearhead the global distribution of Black independent cinema and be the leading producer/distributor of Black films, television, events and digital content.

For information on Robert Townsend’s Ultimate Pitch Master Class, please visit abff.com, or e-mail [email protected].

Contact:
Mike Carter
646-375-2144 ext. 1

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Film Life’s American Black Film Festival Announces 2010 Dates and Call for Entries

HBO® Continues as Founding and Premier Sponsor Festival to Spotlight Black Women in Hollywood.

NEW YORK, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ – Film Life, Inc., announces the 14th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) to be held in Miami, Florida, June 23-26, 2010. The ABFF is an industry retreat and competitive marketplace that facilitates distribution opportunities for independent Black films. Home Box Office, Inc. (HBO), returns for the thirteenth year in support of the festival’s mission.

The 2010 ABFF will feature accomplished women in film and television. Female industry leaders will be thoroughly integrated into all aspects of the festival programming including the creation of the first all women Grand Jury.” Our organization is devoted to diversity, and next year’s festival will bring attention to some key women who are influencing this business. I am delighted that HBO is on board; their loyalty to the ABFF underlines their commitment to develop and promote the work of a diverse group of artists,” says ABFF’s founder, Jeff Friday.

“HBO is proud of its long-standing partnership with the ABFF,” said Olivia Smashum, executive vice president, Affiliate Marketing at HBO. “With our HBO Short Film competition housed at the ABFF since its inception, our combined efforts have given much needed exposure to 60 emerging filmmakers to date. We look forward to working with the ABFF again in 2010.”

ABFF submissions are now open in the Narrative Features, Documentary and Short Film categories. Awards presented include: The HBO Short Film Award; Grand Jury Prizes for Best Film, Best Documentary and Best Performance by an Actor; as well as the newly launched (2009) ABFF Audience Award for the best of festival. Prizes range from $5,000 to $20,000.

HBO® is the festival’s Founding and Premier Sponsor. Other sponsors on board for this year include Grey Goose (Premiere); Nielsen, Gold Peak Tea, and Stella Artois (Supporting); Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (Host). Media Sponsors include: Black Enterprise, Uptown, Upscale, Monarch, Heart & Soul, Precious Times, and AOL Black Voices.

Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry by strengthening the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. Through its film showcases and special contests, it annually introduces the top echelon of emerging artists to the film and television industry.

The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based event marketing, production and distribution company founded in 2002 by Jeff Friday (CEO).

For media inquiries, call Lisa Sorensen (LSPR) at (646) 330-5458 or via email at [email protected]. General registration information can be obtained by visiting abff.com, calling 646-375-2144, ext 1, or contacting the festival via email at: [email protected].

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The 13th Annual American Black Film Festival Culminates with Awards Presentation, a Private Community Reception and Screening of Pastor Brown

The Roe Effect Wins the HBO® Short Film Award, Len Bias Wins Best Documentary and Mississippi Damned Wins Best Feature

Miami, FL – June 30, 2009 – Film Film Life’s 13th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced the winners of their Independent Film Awards at the Colony Theatre on June 27, 2009. The ABFF is the premier international marketplace for films that showcase the best new work by and about people of African descent. The ABFF Audience Award winner, Blue, was determined by mobile voting as part of the festival’s digital media marketing initiatives.

HBO® is the festival’s Founding and Premier sponsor. In addition, this year marked the launch of the American Black Film Festival’s community initiative and partnership with the City of Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

The ABFF Independent Film Awards continues to celebrate the best independent films produced and directed outside of Hollywood. “We are committed to providing new opportunities each year for emerging talent and bringing the best work of these gifted filmmakers to a broad audience,” said Jeff Friday, CEO of Film Life and founder of the American Black Film Festival. “The talent this year was impressive and I believe that the lineup of films and programming is the best we’ve had in 13 years,” added Melanie Sharee, ABFF programming director.

The award winners are as follows:

HBO® Short Film Award, sponsored by HBO® – Prize $20,000
The Roe Effect directed by Kiel Adrian Scott

ABFF Audience Award
Blue directed by Ryan Miningham

Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature, sponsored by BET Networks – Prize $5,000
Mississippi Damned directed by Tina Mabry

Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary
Len Bias directed by Kirk Frasier

Allstate Beyond February “Be Reel” Film Contest Winner, sponsored by Allstate – Prize $5,000
The Broken Sole directed by Travis Dent

Grand Jury Prize for Best Actor
Tessa Thompson in Mississippi Damned

Star Project Winner Actor – Khalilah Joi Dubose – sponsored by Vibe magazine
Star Project Winner Actor – Bechir Sylvain – sponsored by Vibe magazine

The partnership of the ABFF with the City of Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the City of Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones provided the community with the opportunity to have access to some of the movers and shakers in the film industry. A youth filmmaker workshop with Vivica Fox, Wendell Pierce, Steven Barnes, Ronald Lang and Kevin Sharpley was held at the Lyric Theater in Overtown. A pastor’s appreciation reception and private screening of the ABFF’s Centerpiece film, Pastor Brown, closed out the 13 annual American Black Film Festival. Trolleys were provided for festival patrons to “Shop, Dine and Explore” some of the City of Miami’s cultural destinations, including Miami Bayside, the Olympic Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, Jackson Soul Food, Miami Riverwalk and the historic Ice Palace Film Studios. Shop, Dine and Explore is a new marketing campaign to promote the City of Miami’s Community Redevelopment Agency’s Southeast Overtown, Park West and Omni Redevelopment Districts.

HBO® is the ABFF’s Founding and Premier Sponsor. Other corporate supporters include: Premier Sponsor BET Networks; Official Sponsors: Allstate, City of Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB); Supporting Sponsors: Nielsen Media Research, Nickelodeon, HSBC Bank USA, ESPN, TNT, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (VCA), and Parish-Nation; Industry and Marketing Partners: One Village Entertainment, Stella Artois, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Soblu Inc., Codeblack Entertainment, Tyler Perry Studios, SAGIndie, Writer’s Guild of America West, New York Women in Film & Television, Final Draft, FilMiami: Miami-Dade Office of Film & Entertainment, The Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment, the Broward Alliance, the City of Miami Mayor’s Office of Film & Cultural Affairs, Film in Florida, GMCVB Miami Boutique Hotels, Film Florida; Vegas Style Entertainment and Vitaminwater; Media Partners: Essence, Vibe, Black Enterprise, Uptown, Upscale, Heart & Soul, Automotive Rhythms, Monarch, Black Noir, Precious Times and EUR Web.

Founded in 1997, the American Black Film Festival (www.abff.com) is an industry retreat and competitive marketplace for films by and about people of color. The festival’s mission is to facilitate distribution opportunities for quality films and introduce the top echelon of emerging artists to the industry at large. Since its inception, the ABFF has premiered over 600 films, positioning it as the leading film festival for Black and urban content. The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based event marketing, production and distribution company founded in 2002 by Jeff Friday (CEO).

For additional information please contact Yvette N. Harris phone 786.897.8854 or by e-mail: [email protected]. Follow ABFF on twitter.com/abff and abff/facebook.com. Additional photos from the 2009 festival can be found at www.abff.com.

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The 13th Annual American Black Film Festival Culminates with its Awards Presentation and Screening of “Black Dynamite”

The Roe Effect Wins the HBO® Short Film Award and Mississippi Damned Wins Best Narrative Feature

Miami, FL – June 29, 2009 – Film Film Life’s 13th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced the winners of their Independent Film Awards at the Colony Theatre on June 27, 2009. The ABFF is the premier destination marketplace for films that showcase the best new work by and about people of African descent. The Best Narrative Feature winner was Mississippi Damned which also took home the prize for Best Actor. HBO® is the festival’s Founding and Premier sponsor.

“The ABFF Independent Film Awards continues to celebrate the best independent films produced and directed outside of Hollywood. We are committed to providing new opportunities each year for emerging talent and bringing the best work of these gifted filmmakers to a broad audience,” said Jeff Friday, CEO of Film Life and founder of the American Black Film Festival.

The award winners are as follows:

HBO Short Film Award, presented by HBO (award includes a $20,000 cash prize)
The Roe Effect directed by Kiel Adrian Scott

Best Narrative Feature, presented by BET Networks (award includes a $5,000 cash prize)
Mississippi Damned directed by Tina Mabry

Best Documentary
Len Bias directed by Kirk Frasier

Audience Award
Blue directed by Ryan Miningham

Allstate Beyond February “Be Reel” Contest Winner, presented by Allstate (award includes a $5,000 cash prize)
The Broken Sole directed by Travis Trent

Best Actor
Tessa Thompson in Mississippi Damned

Star Project Winner, presented by Vibe magazine
Khalilah Joi Dubose, female winner
Bechir Sylvain, male winner

“The talent this year was impressive and I believe that the lineup of films and programming is the best we’ve had in 13 years,” said Melanie Sharee, ABFF programming director.

As part of the closing night festivities, the SONY Pictures World Wide Acquisitions Group film Black Dynamite, starring Michael Jai White, was screened to a full audience. “As a part of our closing night presentation, we always try to give our audience a memorable experience, and judging from the fact that we screened to a packed house for both showings, I think we accomplished our goals,” said Friday.

Founded in 1997, the American Black Film Festival is an industry retreat and competitive marketplace for films by and about people of color. The festival’s mission is to facilitate distribution opportunities for quality films and introduce the top echelon of emerging artists to the industry at large. Since its inception, the ABFF has premiered over 600 films, positioning it as the leading film festival for Black and urban content. The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based event marketing, production and distribution company founded in 2002 by Jeff Friday (CEO).

HBO® is the ABFF’s Founding and Premier Sponsor. Other corporate supporters include: Premier Sponsor BET Networks; Official Sponsors: Allstate, City of Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB); Supporting Sponsors: Nielsen Media Research, Nickelodeon, HSBC Bank USA, ESPN, TNT, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (VCA) and Parish-Nation; Industry and Marketing Partners: One Village Entertainment, Stella Artois, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Soblu Inc., Codeblack Entertainment, Tyler Perry Studios, SAGIndie, Writer’s Guild of America West, New York Women in Film & Television, Final Draft, FilMiami: Miami-Dade Office of Film & Entertainment, The Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment, the Broward Alliance, the City of Miami Mayor’s Office of Film & Cultural Affairs, Film in Florida, GMCVB Miami Boutique Hotels, Film Florida; Vegas Style Entertainment and Vitaminwater; Media Partners: Essence, Vibe, Black Enterprise, Uptown, Upscale, Heart & Soul, Automotive Rhythms, Monarch, Black Noir, Precious Times and EUR Web.

For additional information please contact Ghana Wilson via phone 646.375.2144 or by e-mail: [email protected]. Photos from the festival can be found at www.abff.com.

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2009 American Black Film Festival Announces Film Sections, Deadlines and Awards

New York, NY (March 20, 2009) – Film Life’s 13th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) today announced its film sections, competitions and festival awards. The ABFF is the premier international marketplace for films made by and about people of African descent. The festival will be held from June 24 to 27 in South Beach, Miami. HBO® is the festival’s founding and title sponsor.

Founded in 1997, the ABFF was born out of the need to facilitate distribution opportunities for quality Black cinema, showcase the top echelon of emerging artists and promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. Since its inception, the ABFF has premiered over 500, films positioning it as the leading film festival for Black and urban content. “Our mission is to cultivate the careers of the most talented emerging filmmakers and facilitate the distribution of their commercially viable work,” said Melanie Sharee, festival director.

The competition categories are comprised of Narrative Features, Documentaries and the HBO Short Film Competition. Narrative Features are eligible to compete for the Grand Jury Prize for Best Film, Grand Jury Prize for Best Actor and the Melvin Van Peebles Award, an award for the festival’s most innovative film. Entry deadline for Narrative Features is April 14. Documentary Features are eligible to win the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary; the entry deadline is March 31. Entry deadline for the HBO Short Film Competition, which includes a prize of $20,000 in cash, is April 7. In addition to the independent films, the ABFF will open and close with special screenings of upcoming studio releases targeted to African American audiences.

The ABFF also features special contests presented in association with its corporate partners. Official Sponsor Allstate® will once again be sponsoring the Beyond February “Be Reel” Film Contest. Entrants must submit a film between 15-90 seconds in length based on the following themes: “Through All This Change, My Change Adds Up” and “What’s Next?” Contest rules and guidelines can be found at www.abff.com and www.allstate.com/beyondfebruary.

In addition to the festival’s film lineup, corporate support for the 13th annual festival includes Founding & Premier Sponsor: Home Box Office, Inc.; Official Sponsor: Allstate, The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; Supporting Sponsors: Nielsen Media Research, Nickelodeon, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority; Industry Partners: Writer’s Guild of America West, Film Florida, Miami-Dade County Film & Entertainment Office; Media Partners: Essence, Vibe, Automotive Rhythms, Precious Times, Black Enterprise, Uptown, Upscale, Heart & Soul, Monarch and Black Noir.

The ABFF, cofounded by Jeff Friday in 1997, is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based film marketing and distribution company. Its mission is to spearhead the global distribution of quality Black films and be the leading American brand producing Black movies, television, events and digital content. Film Life’s key properties include the American Black Film Festival (abff.com); The Black Movie Awards on TNT (blackmovieawards.com); and the ABFF DVD Series (thefilmlife.com), a partnership with Warner Home Video.

Festival registration information is available online at www.abff.com, via phone at 646-375-2144, ext. 2, or by e-mail: [email protected].

CONTACT:
For Press Inquiries Only
Ghana O. Wilson
646-375-2144 ext 5
[email protected]

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Film Life Launches The Star Project

Acting Competition is sponsored by VIBE magazine

New York, NY (March 5, 2009) – Film Life, Inc. announced today the launch of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Star Project, an international acting competition for multicultural artists. “We wanted to foster the discovery of emerging actors in the same way we have been at the forefront in nurturing and identifying the best and brightest independent filmmakers of color,” said Jeff Friday, CEO of Film Life, Inc., and founder of ABFF. “We are very excited to be partnering with VIBE, and are looking forward to what promises to be an interesting competition,” Friday added.

“Vibe is one of the country’s leading urban brands and provides Film Life with valuable access to an amazing influencer audience of the undiscovered, as well as pop culture icons. We are delighted to have them as a media partner,” said Dolly R. Turner, VP Sponsorship, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships.

The goal of The Star Project is to encourage serious pursuit of the craft of acting by providing a platform to spotlight talented yet undiscovered actors and support their career advancement. Entrants are required to submit a videotape performance of a monologue of their choice. The submission will be judged by a panel of talent agents and managers led by casting agent Winsome Sinclair, whose credits include Inside Man, Black Snake Moan, Best Man and Fast and the Furious 2, directed by John Singleton. Two winners, one male and one female, will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the ABFF, held June 24-27 in Miami, and will be acknowledged at the ABFF Independent Film Awards.

“As a casting director I both admire and respect the actor/actress and their craft; discovering and launching new talent is the best part of what I get to do,” said Winsome Sinclair, president of Winsome Sinclair & Associates. “I am very excited about being a part of the ABFF Star Project and I look forward to discovering the next star along with the ABFF team,” she added.

“VIBE magazine is proud to sponsor the newly created Star Project with Film Life,” said Olivia Scott-Perkins, Associate Publisher of Marketing for VIBE. “As the definitive voice of urban culture, we want to help provide a platform for the next wave of hot, new talents to showcase their skills and take the film industry by storm.”

Submissions are being accepted through March 27, 2009, and submission forms, contest guidelines and rules are available at www.abff.com or by calling 646-375-2144, ext 1.

Founded in 1997, the American Black Film Festival is an industry retreat and competitive marketplace for films by and about people of color. The festival’s mission is to facilitate distribution opportunities for quality films and introduce the top echelon of emerging artists to the industry at large. Since its inception, the ABFF has premiered over 500 films, positioning it as the leading film festival for Black and urban content. The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based event marketing, production and distribution company founded in 2002 by Jeff Friday.

Corporate support for the 13th annual festival includes Founding & Premier Sponsor: Home Box Office, Inc.; Official Sponsor: Allstate; Supporting Sponsors: Nielsen Media Research, Nickelodeon and Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority; Industry Partners: Writer’s Guild of America West, Film Florida, One Village Entertainment, Miami-Dade County Film & Entertainment Office; Media Partners: Essence, Vibe, Black Enterprise, Uptown, Upscale, Heart & Soul, Precious Times, Automotive Rhythms, Monarch and Black Noir.

With more than 8 million monthly readers worldwide, VIBE is a major influence on global music, life and style.. The award-winning publication is the nation’s leader in covering entertainment, fashion, politics and culture for a multicultural audience in print and online. VIBE’s innovation, journalistic integrity, brand equity, and overall swagger make it the No. 1 reference choice among male and female trendsetters in small and large cities in the U.S. and abroad.

VIBE Media Group, an affiliate of the Wicks Group of Companies, LLC, is a leading music lifestyle media company that publishes VIBE magazine and produces myriad other VIBE branded properties including VIBE.com, V Hollywood, VIBE Yardfest, and VIBE Books, which published The New York Times bestseller Tupac Shakur. VIBE magazine was founded in 1993 by multitalented music mogul Quincy Jones.

CONTACT: Ghana O. Wilson
646-375-2144 ext 5
[email protected]

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American Black Film Festival Returns to the Beach

HBO® is the Festival’s Founding and Premier Sponsor

New York, NY (March 2, 2009) – Film Life’s the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), the premier destination event celebrating and awarding independent films by and about people of color, will be held June 24th-27th, 2009 on South Beach in Miami. Home Box Office, Inc. (HBO) is the festival’s Founding and Premier Sponsor.

Founded in 1997, the ABFF was born out of the need to generate distribution opportunities for independent Black films, and promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry by strengthening the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development.

“We began 13 years ago as an annual film retreat to showcase and celebrate the best and brightest filmmakers of African descent. We are returning to that model this year in Miami and will restore the tropical intimacy the ABFF has always been known for,” said Jeff Friday, CEO of Film Life, Inc. and Founder of ABFF.

Supported in part by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), Miami was host to the ABFF for five years. “It was one of our most successful and well attended events,” said GMCVB President and CEO William D. Talbert III, CDME. “We are delighted ABFF is returning to Miami, and look forward to a continuation of our partnership with Film Life, as well as the film and entertainment community at large,” Talbert added.

This year’s event will open with a star studded Hollywood premiere and close with the ABFF Independent Film Awards “Our mission is to cultivate the careers of the most talented emerging filmmakers and facilitate the distribution of their commercially viable work,” said Melanie Sharee, Festival Director. “We have revised our programming goals and selection criteria to reflect our focus on quality over quantity,” Sharee added.

Corporate support for the 13th annual festival includes Founding & Premier Sponsor: Home Box Office, Inc., Official Sponsor: Allstate, Supporting Sponsors: Nielsen Media Research and Nickelodeon, Industry Partners: Writer’s Guild of America West, Film Florida, One Village Entertainment, Miami-Dade County Film & Entertainment Office, Media Partners: Essence, Vibe, Black Enterprise, Uptown, Upscale, Heart & Soul, Precious Times, Automotive Rhythms, Monarch and Black Noir.

“HBO recognized the important niche the ABFF filled 13 years ago and we have been proud supporters and partners with Film Life since then,” said Olivia Smashum, Executive Vice President, Affiliate Marketing, HBO. “Miami is the perfect backdrop for this festival, and we are very pleased that it is returning to this great city.”

Festival and registration information is available online at www.abff.com, via phone 646-375-2144 ext 1 or by e-mail: [email protected].

Founded in 1997, the American Black Film Festival is an industry retreat and competitive marketplace for films by and about people of color. The festival’s mission is to facilitate distribution opportunities for quality films and introduce the top echelon of emerging artists to the industry at large. Since its inception, the ABFF has premiered over 500 films, positioning it as the leading film festival for Black and urban content. The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based event marketing, production and distribution company founded in 2002 by Jeff Friday (CEO).

CONTACT:
Ghana O. Wilson
646-375-2144 ext 5
[email protected]