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The 17th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is Now Accepting Entries for the ‘Star Project’ Acting Competition

NBCUniversal returns as competition sponsor

NEW YORK, NY, December 20, 2012 – Today, Film Life, Inc. announces that the 2013 ABFF Star Project acting competition is now open. Aspiring actors, who are serious about their craft, will once again have an opportunity of a lifetime to breakthrough and get discovered.

Launched in 2009 as part of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), the goal of the Star Project is to provide a platform to spotlight talented, yet undiscovered actors, while supporting their career advancement. Each year, one male and one female thespian are selected as Grand-Prize winners.

To date, the Star Project has served as a catalyst for its talented winners to break into the film and television industry. The 2010, female winner, Emayatzy Corinealdi, has since landed roles in major film and television projects including the female lead in the critically acclaimed independent feature film “Middle of Nowhere.” For this performance, she won the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor and has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award, as well as an Independent Spirit Award . The 2009 male winner, Bechir Sylvain, has starred in several national television commercials including a VISA commercial currently running, in which he costars with NFL legend John Madden.

“It was my goal to create a much needed pipeline for African American actors to gain exposure within the industry,” said Jeff Friday, founder and CEO of ABFF. “I could not be more pleased that our winners have achieved this level of commercial success in the three-year history of the competition. Time and time again, NBCUniversal has proven its commitment to diversity in front of the camera.”

Star Project entrants are required to submit two videotaped monologues: one of their choice, and one selected by NBCUniversal and ABFF. The Star Project Jury is comprised of an esteemed panel of accomplished actors, directors and casting executives.

“NBCUniversal is honored to partner with the ABFF Star Project to raise awareness around deserving talent and help promote career opportunities within the NBCU family and beyond,” said Kendra Carter, Director of Talent Diversity Initiatives, NBCUniversal. “We look forward to providing these actors with a fitting platform to launch their careers, and this year’s winners will also have the added opportunity to meet with Universal Pictures Casting executives.”

The Star Project winners’ prizes include a free trip to the ABFF held in Miami June 19-23, 2013, where they will be presented before the festival audience during its culminating event. Additionally, one grand-prize winner, announced at the festival, will have the opportunity to meet with casting directors for film and television at NBCUniversal in Los Angeles, and will be granted a walk-on role on the award-winning NBC daytime drama, “Days of our Lives.”

HOW TO ENTER: To enter the Contest, during the Contest Period log on to www.ABFF.com (the “Website”), click on ENTER A TALENT COMPETITION and then click on THE STAR PROJECT to access the submission form (the “Submission Form”).

Deadline for submissions: March 15, 2013

Festival passes and tickets are available now for purchase at:
https://www.abff.com/miami/festival/buy/passes-and-tickets.php

Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. 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 film distribution company founded in 2000 by Jeff Friday (CEO).

For full details on this year’s festival, please visit www.abff.com

For media inquiries, contact Lisa Sorensen at 646-330-5458 or [email protected]

Follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/abff

Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Black-Film-Festival/47321635722

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The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Announces 2013 Dates and Ambassador Omari Hardwick

17TH ANNUAL ABFF RETURNS TO MIAMI BEACH, JUNE 19-23

NEW YORK, NY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012 – Today, Film Life Inc. announced that the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) will be returning to South Beach for the 17th annual event and has named actor Omari Hardwick (Sparkle, Middle of Nowhere and For Colored Girls) as the 2013 Festival Ambassador.

The ABFF is a five-day retreat and international film market dedicated to strengthening the Black filmmaking community. Established in 1997, the core mission of the festival is to showcase quality Black films and promote cultural diversity in front of and behind the camera. ABFF’s winning formula comes from the quality of its programming and expert production. Films, coupled with panels, master classes, celebrity conversations and high profile social events hosted by leading media companies, attract top-tier talent and approximately 5,000 festival goers to the annual event. HBO is the festival’s founding and premier sponsor.

“Omari Hardwick is one of the most talented actors in Hollywood. He shares our vision for Black cinema and understands the importance of nurturing new artists and maintaining diverse voices in this business that sometimes overlooks those outside the mainstream;” states Jeff Friday, festival founder and CEO of Film Life, Inc. “the role of the ABFF Ambassador is to broaden public awareness of the festival as well as its mission, which is to encourage collaboration and support between Hollywood and the independent film community.”

“I am beyond humbled for being asked to be the ambassador of such a legendary and established film festival that has been around for 17 years and counting,” says Hardwick. “I have always been a fan of the work Jeff Friday has done within the film community and I look forward to sharing the wisdom, experience, creativity, and passion that I have to offer to the American Black Film Festival in 2013.”

The ABFF’s film program is primarily composed of world premieres of narrative, documentary and short films. As such, it is the leading film festival in the world for African American and urban content. Since its inception, the ABFF has showcased more than 600 films, rewarding and redefining artistic excellence in independent filmmaking.

ABFF is currently accepting submissions to the narrative feature and documentary film categories. Films submitted to the Narrative Feature Competition must be directed by a person of African descent, tell a story of the Black experience or feature a person of African descent in a leading role. Films submitted to the Documentary Competition, must be directed by a person of African descent or tell a story of the Black experience.

For submission criteria and guidelines please visit: https://www.abff.com/miami/festival

Deadlines for submissions:
Narrative Features: March 1, 2013
Documentaries: March 8, 2013

Festival passes and tickets are available now for purchase at:
https://www.abff.com/miami/festival/buy/passes-and-tickets.php

The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based event marketing, production and film distribution company founded in 2000 by Jeff Friday (CEO).

For full details on this year’s festival, please visit: https://www.abff.com/miami/

For media inquiries, contact Lisa Sorensen at 646-330-5458 or [email protected]

Follow us on Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/abff

Follow us on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Black-Film-Festival/47321635722

For photos please visit: http://ls-pr.com/?p=1184

“The Q&A Show,” a Brand New Edgy Sketch Comedy Webisode Series Debuts on www.filmlifetv.com

NEW YORK, NY, July 5, 2012 – “The Q&A Show,” a brand new sketch comedy for the web, which previewed at the 16th annual American Black Film Festival, Miami Beach, June 20-23, made its online debut on www.filmlifetv.com on June 24.

On Friday, June 22, at the ABFF Webisode Challenge, festival-goers had an opportunity to view various clips from the first season of “The Q&A Show,” providing an exclusive sneak peek of the hilarious new edgy sketch comedy web series.

Executive produced by CEO of Film Life, Inc. and ABFF founder, Jeff Friday and his wife Nicole Friday, this web series was created by and also stars the husband and wife team, Quin Walters, aka “Q” and Addison Henderson, aka “A”. Raw, sharp and irreverent, “The Q&A Show” consists of original skits, pop culture parodies and a satirical take on politics and religion.

The first season of the series will air a total of 10 episodes, one each week, and will regularly feature its stars Quin Walters and Addison Henderson along with a diverse cast of talented actors and stand-up comedians. Audiences will be able to tune in to “The Q&A Show” at www.filmlifetv.com. After each episode, viewers will be encouraged to give feedback via the show’s twitter page: @TheQandAShow and enter the fan contest for a chance to win a trip to Los Angeles and a walk on role in a Season Two episode.

“The Q&A Show” is the launch series for Filmlifetv.com, which is an online network for multicultural digital entertainment, offering a wide range of content including: webisodes, short films and exclusive film festival footage. Filmlifetv.com will officially launch in June 2012 and will introduce additional programming in the fall of 2012.

Reminiscent of Comedy Central’s hit series, “Chappelle’s Show,” “The Q&A Show” aims to reignite the flame that went dim after that show’s premature ending in 2006. With its universal appeal, “The Q&A Show” will engage and entertain audiences by delivering unpredictable and outlandish sketches that are relatable and comical.

The series features Walters and Henderson in such outrageous skits as: “How You Doin’?” with Walters as the very outspoken Wendy Williams; “Celebrity Divorce Court: Vanessa and Kobe”; “61 Minutes: An interview with Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs in the year 2053” and “Love & Hip Hop: The Independence Party” a spoof of VH1’s reality series “Love & Hip Hop.” In addition to starring in the series, a majority of the skits are written by Walters and directed by Henderson.

“As it has been called the great equalizer, the internet has leveled the playing field and provides a platform for everyone to be successful,” states Jeff Friday. “I am pleased that we are engaging and encouraging people to create digital content that is ideal for distribution on the web. I also feel like this could be great programming for a major television network. It could be a great opportunity for the series to be a hit on TV as well.”

As a married couple of color in Hollywood, Walters and Henderson have literally created their own pathway and have stayed true to the vision for their shared success.

“We are so excited to work with Film Life TV, it is our mandate to create our own stories and relate our experiences,” says Walters. Henderson shares, “as a team, Quin and I understand how important it is to exist as a unit and we are committed to producing a product that has a broad appeal. This is a really exciting time for us.”

Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. Through its film showcases and special contests, it annually introduces the top echelon of emerging artists to the film and television industry.

Film Life TV and the ABFF are properties of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based event marketing, production and film distribution company founded in 2000 by Jeff Friday.

Connect with “The Q&A Show”:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Q-A-Show/112305932188171
Twitter: @TheQandAShow

Available sketches for viewing:

Driving While Black (1:18)
http://youtu.be/o5QD0ofGDWA
Original Sketch; White Friends Don’t Let Black Friends Drive While Black
Written by: Stephan Rich
Directed by: Addison Henderson and Stephan Rich

Celebrity Blind Date with Nicki Minaj (2:25)
http://youtu.be/uH0SM6AZm3Q
Original Sketch; Nicki Minaj goes on a blind date with a fan in an unusual place.
Written by: Quin Walters
Directed by: Addison Henderson

Straight Farm (0.44)
http://youtu.be/PMc2R2ArqME
Spoof of the popular State Farm insurance commercial.
Written by: Quin Walters
Directed by: Addison Henderson

Heart to Heart (2:53)
http://youtu.be/ym4Yu0yLuk0
Spoof of the VH1 reality series Love & Hip Hop
Mama Jones and Jim Jones have a fight.
Written by: Quin Walters
Directed by: Addison Henderson

Photo available at: http://ls-pr.com/?p=1120

For media inquiries, contact Lisa Sorensen at 646.330.5458 or [email protected]

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The 16th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Wrapped Up a Package of Provacative Films Concluding with “The Winners Circle,” a Presentation of Awards and Accolades to Rising Talent and Filmmakers

Highlights Included the HBO® Short Film Competition Winner, “Cherry Waves,” and Russ Parr’s “The Undershepherd” Taking High Honors for Best Narrative Feature, Best Director and Best Actress to Malinda Williams for “The Undershepherd”

NEW YORK, NY, June 29, 2012 – In its 16th year, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), took place in Miami Beach, June 20th – June 23rd and was an unforgettable experience for this year’s attendees. Festival-goers shared in the revelry and experienced a collective generosity of spirit that encouraged and inspired.

The four-day festival was well-attended by talented rising actors and filmmakers who were honored for their impressive work in the films that slated the festival lineup. On hand to pay tribute to the honorees at the concluding event, “The Winners Circle,” were festival Ambassador, actor Tracee Ellis Ross, Grand Jury President, actor Mekhi Phifer, ABFF founder, Jeff Friday and his wife Nicole Friday, actor, producer, director Robert Townsend and actor, producer, director Bill Duke. Acceptance speeches from winners didn’t leave a dry eye in the audience as recipients shared their personal struggles and triumphs and illustrated how perseverance has been the backdrop to their success stories.

The festival opened with “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” one of the most talked about independent films that has been making waves at festivals across the country. Actor Tracee Ellis Ross, joined ABFF founder Jeff Friday and together they carried the torch for opening day as they left their mark throughout the festivities attending an array of events celebrating black film. Ross walked the red carpet at the opening night film, dazzled at the City of Miami’s VIP Reception, and finished off the evening at the celebratory after-party at Arkadia Lounge in the Fontainebleu Hotel.

Each day of the festival, attendees experienced unparalleled events, film screenings, red carpet premieres, panel discussions and master classes led by industry experts such as Dianne Ashford and Charles Swanson. Nielsen and Black Enterprise sponsored a dynamic panel focused on the future of black entertainment within the digital space, another discussion around current syndication practices and technology took place during the festival and was sponsored by Grab Media and HuffPost Black Voices. Filmmakers had the fortunate opportunity to listen to established writers talk about what it takes to pitch a series to television executives during a panel presented by Nickelodeon and CNN presented the documentary, “Who Counts,” followed by dialogue led by Don Lemon on the importance of the black vote in the upcoming election.

Festival-goers relaxed at the American Airlines Black Atlas travel lounge, indulged in style while being driven to various events courtesy of the Cadillac Shuttle, enjoyed refreshments and networking at the Stella Artois Mixers, Gold Peak Tea Bars and Ciroc “Red Carpet” cocktail hour. An additional festival highlight was the sponsor hospitality and diversity suites hosted by gmc Television Network, NBCUniversal and One Village Entertainment, Nickelodeon and SAGIndie.

At the festival’s peak, Hollywood power couple, Salim Akil and Mara Brock-Akil were spotlighted for their exceptional work in the world of visual entertainment with “A Conversation with…” sponsored by American Airlines. The festivities continued with the introduction of ABFF’s first ever Webisode Challenge, hosted by funny man Chris Spencer, where winner Donnie Leapheart, was awarded with a plaque and a check for $2,500 for his outstanding work on “Osiris: The Series.” Attendee’s also had the opportunity to view an exclusive sneak peak of Film Life TV’s first ever webseries, “The Q&A Show” starring creators Quin Walters and Addison Henderson, now airing on filmlifetv.com. Before the night ended, ABFF held an evening with filmmakers and cast of the hit film “Think Like a Man.” Will Packer, Rob Hardy, Tim Story and Terrence J took part in the panel and in the end, ABFF Founder, Jeff Friday, awarded filmmakers Will Packer and Rob Hardy with the ABFF Hall of Fame award for their outstanding achievements in the film industry, which has undoubtedly helped rewrite the future of black cinema. The cast and creators led a shoes-off panel offering anecdotes about the film and thanking ABFF creators and supporters for being the bookend to their success story; Packer and Rob Hardy began their careers at ABFF with the premiere of their first feature film “Trois” in 2000 and have since been a pivotal part of the ABFF journey. The event was sponsored by Crown Royal.

The final day of the ABFF, was one filled with reward, recognition, and of course, “Raising Izzie.” The supercharged day began with a rewarding panel which featured some of Black Hollywood’s most noted female tastemakers who participated in a verbal walk thru of their journey navigating the film industry in “Beyond the Barriers & Biases – Black Women in Hollywood Panel.” The panel, moderated by African American Cinema Scholar Michele Prettyman Beverly and featured Twinkie Byrd, casting director and producer, Elizabeth Hunter, writer, Angi Bones, SVP of Development (BobbCat Films) and actors Malinda Williams and Tracey Heggins.

ABFF Sponsor, HBO, hosted a panel entitled “HBO Presents…” featuring some of the cable networks hottest black talent who are shining this season on series such as “Veep,” “True Blood,” and many others. Actors Sufe Bradshaw, Adina Porter, Michael K. Williams, Nelsan Ellis, JB Smoove and Essence magazine’s Cori Murray were on hand to give perspective to attendee’s on the importance of diversity in the industry and how it strengthens the HBO experience.

The evening continued with the closing night film, gmc Television Network’s “Raising Izzie.” The film, which was directed by Roger Bobb, stars Vanessa Williams and Rockmond Dunbar, and is a visual result of last year’s gmc Television Network’s Faith and Family screenplay competition. Bobb, Williams, Dunbar and the rest of the cast were in attendance.

Annually, the American Black Film Festival presents films that are diverse and provocative, from the best emerging filmmakers, and this year was no exception. The goal of the ABFF is to be a platform for independent showcases for people of African descent and to strengthen to African American filmmaking community through resources sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development.

The complete list of ABFF Winners Circle awards are as follows:

  • HBO® Short Film Competition – “Cherry Waves” presented by Lucinda Martinez, Vice President of Domestic Network Distribution & Multicultural Marketing, HBO® and Bevy Smith, TV personality. Prize of $20,000 sponsored by HBO®
  • gmc Television Network Faith and Family Screenplay Competition – Nzinga Kadalie for “In the Meantime” ” presented by Brad Siegel, Vice-Chairman, gmc and De Etta West, gmc Television Networks. Prize of $5,000 awarded by gmc Television Networks
  • 2012 ABFF Star Project Winners – Sherial McKinney and Robert Hunter awards presented by Kendra Carter, Director of Talent Diversity Initiatives, NBCUniversal Casting
  • Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary – “Soul Food Junkies,” directed by Byron Hurt award presented by Keisha Taylor, Senior Manager, CNN Marketing
  • Grand Jury Prize for Best Actor (male/female) – A tie between Malinda Williams for her role as Cassandra in “The Undershepherd,”and to Sheldon Shepherd for his role as Ricky in “Better Mus Come” awards presented by Mark Pitts, Vice President and General Manager of Coffee and Tea, Coca-Cola. Prize of $5,000 awarded by Gold Peak Tea
  • Grand Jury Prize for Best Screenplay – “The Last Fall” written and directed by Matthew Cherry, award presented by Roderick Blaylock, Senior Brand Manager, Crown Royal
  • Grand Jury Prize for Best Director – Russ Parr for “The Undershepherd,” award presented by Don Butler, US VP of Marketing, Cadillac
  • Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature – Russ Parr for “The Undershepherd,” award presented by Connie Orlando, Vice President of Original Programming, BET Networks

Monica Billinger, Manager, Diversity Markets/Chicago of American Airlines made a special presentation of travel gift cards to each Grand Jury Prize Winner, which can be used towards a purchase of a future flight on American Airlines. In addition, each winner in the competition received a gift certificate from Macy’s.

HBO (Founding and Premier Sponsor); Gold Peak Tea (Premier); gmc Television Network, American Airlines, Cadillac, CNN and Ciroc (Official Sponsors); Grab Media, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, smartwater, Nielsen, BET Networks, Stella Artois and Wells Fargo (Supporting Sponsors); The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority and Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (Host Sponsors) and SAGIndie, One Village Entertainment, Miami Film Month, thirdREEL, Huffpost Blackvoices, The Webber Group and Macy’s (Promotional Partners); Media Sponsors include: Black Enterprise, Uptown (Official Level); Jones Magazine and Precious Times (Supporting Level).

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 2000 by Jeff Friday (CEO).

The official festival program guide can be digitally downloaded from the homepage of the festival website: www.abff.com

Photos: http://ls-pr.com/?p=1130

For media inquiries, contact Lisa Sorensen (LSPR) at (646) 330-5458 or via email at [email protected]

ASPiRE Presents “ABFF INDEPENDENT”, Network’s First Series to Present the Best in New Independent African-American Filmmaking Each Week

ASPiRE logo

ASPiRE PRESENTS
“ABFF INDEPENDENT”

Network’s First Series to Present the Best in New Independent African-American Filmmaking Each Week

Hosted by Omari Hardwick, the Two-Hour Show Premieres on the Network’s First Day on Air, June 27, with a Double Episode Starting at 8 PM EST

Atlanta, GA. – June 25, 2012 – ASPiRE, the new African-American television network from Magic Johnson Enterprises, today announced its first original series, “ABFF Independent.” ” The weekly two-hour show, hosted by actor Omari Hardwick (“Sparkle,” “Dark Blue,”) will present the best independent shorts, feature films and documentaries from emerging black artists, “ABFF Independent” will air Mondays at 8 p.m. (EST), with repeat airings Monday at 11 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., and the following Monday at 2 p.m. The series will premiere on the network’s launch date, Wednesday, June 27, with back-to-back episodes starting at 8 p.m.

“We are proud to partner with ABFF to launch ASPiRE’s first original series, ‘ABFF Independent,’ a show that brings provocative, entertaining and moving work by African-American filmmakers to our viewers,” said Paul Butler, General Manager, ASPiRE. “At the same time, we are proud to provide an outlet for some of the most creative and talented new voices in cinema to receive much-deserved national exposure.”

“ASPiRE is the perfect platform to deliver the cream of the crop from ABFF and other festivals to a wider audience,” said Jeff Friday, ABFF founder, and Founder and CEO of Film Life Inc. “We are thrilled to partner with this exciting new network on such a groundbreaking series.”

The premiere episodes of “ABFF Independent.” will include:

  • Jump the Broom: A Musical When a beautiful, fun-loving young bride-to-be is confronted by a sexy ex-lover on her wedding day, she begins to question her decision. Directed by Kena Tangi Dorsey, it stars Lamman Rucker, Renee Goldsberry and Brandon DeShazer.
  • Weekends in Brooklyn A British black man and woman fall for each other one evening in Brooklyn, but their love is put to the test when they discover she is pregnant. Directed by David Canady, it stars O.T. Fagbenle, Naomi Ryan and Namakula.
  • I Want You The story of a whirlwind romance told through poetry, shot in a unique style in black and white and set to soulful music. The director is Nefertite Nguvu; it stars Jazz Smollett and Ohene Cornelius.
  • Sistahs In The Name of LoveTensions arise between two sisters, one a career-driven professional, the other a traditional wife and mother, during a family visit. Kena Tangi Dorsey directs; Laura Bart, Jonas Chaka and Vincent Heckard star.
  • Stitches A teen fashionista displaced by Hurricane Katrina finds herself living with an untrendy new roommate who provokes her to show who she really is inside all the pretty clothes. Directed by Pamela K. Johnson and starring Gabi Rojas, Chelsea Makela, LeShay N. Tomlinson.
  • Father’s Day? A young girl struggles to rise above her feelings of abandonment and confront her absent father. Directed by Dave Coleman and starring Sharri Jones, Ashley Shanté, Squeaky Moore and Rosalyn Coleman.

“ABFF Independent” is executive produced by Jeff Friday, and Sean Joell Johnson and Ralph Scott of LeftCenter Entertainment, Inc.

About Omari Hardwick
Hardwick’s numerous film credits include Sparkle, I Will Follow, For Colored Girls, Kick-Ass, The A-Team, The Guardian, Beauty Shop and the Gridiron Gang. He is also known for his television roles, including Ty Curtis in TNT’s “Dark Blue,” opposite Dylan McDermott, and as John Sack Hallon in the 2006 TNT series “Saved,” opposite Tom Everett Scott. The multitalented Hardwick was a football star at the University of Georgia, where he minored in theater, and has written over 4,000 poems.

About ABFF
Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. 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, and production and film distribution company founded in 2000 by Jeff Friday (CEO).

About ASPiRE
Spearheaded by entrepreneur and NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson, in partnership with GMC TV, ASPiRE delivers enlightening, entertaining and positive programming to African-Americans families, including movies, documentaries, short films, music, comedy, visual and performing arts, and faith and inspirational programs. ASPiRE celebrates African-American heritage and groundbreaking cultural achievements and will create new opportunities for the next generation of African-American visionaries. The network will launch June 27, 2012 to millions of customers on Comcast’s digital basic tier. For more information, visit www.aspire.tv

MEDIA CONTACTS

Chelsye J. Burrows
770.692.4559
[email protected]

Jackie Bazan-Ross
212-643-4664 x704
[email protected]

Evelyn Santana
212-643-4664 x702
[email protected]

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Fox Searchlight Pictures & Cinereach “BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD” continues its magical journey opening Film Life’s 16th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF)

Closing the festival is the premiere of the 2011 gmc Faith and Family screenplay competition winner “Raising Izzie”

NEW YORK, NY, June 4, 2012 – Film Life, Inc., today announced its opening and closing films for the 16th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) held in Miami Beach, FL, June 20 – 23. This year, “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” will open the festival on Wednesday, June 20, while “Raising Izzie,” which was the winner of the 2011 gmc Faith and Family Screenplay Competition, will close out the festival on Saturday, June 23.

“Beasts of the Southern Wild,” has been the most talked about film coming out of both Sundance and the Cannes Film Festival. Earlier this year, the film took Sundance by storm after earning the coveted Grand Jury Prize, along with the cinematography award for Ben Richardson and most recently won one of the highest honors at Cannes, the Caméra d’Or award, for best first film. “Beasts of the Southern Wild” is set in a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee where a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality. Desperate to repair the structure of her world in order to save her ailing father and sinking home, this tiny hero must learn to survive unstoppable catastrophes of epic proportions.

The film, helmed by first-time feature director Benh Zeitlin, stars a cast of non-actors whose portrayals of the characters has captured attention and critical acclaim from audiences as well as the filmmaking community around the world.

ABFF’s closing film, “Raising Izzie,” was the winner of the 2011 gmc Faith and Family screenplay competition. Starring Vanessa Williams (“Lincoln Heights,” “Soul Food”), and Rockmond Dunbar (“Soul Food”), “Raising Izzie” centers on a pair of sisters who have lost their mother and are forced to become each other’s ally in an adult world. Unable to maintain this new set of circumstances, a loving teacher unexpectedly comes into their lives changing everything around them.

The producer and director of “Raising Izzie,” Roger M. Bobb (“Meet the Browns,” “For Colored Girls”), makes his feature film directorial debut with this film. Bobb is also a two-time ABFF past award winner in the “Best Film” category.

Full pass and ticket information for the 2012 ABFF can be found at www.abff.com.

HBO (Founding and Premier Sponsor); Gold Peak Tea (Premier); gmc Television Network, American Airlines, Cadillac, CNN and Ciroc (Official Sponsors); Grab Media, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, smartwater, Nielsen, BET Networks, Stella Artois and Wells Fargo (Supporting Sponsors); The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority and Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (Host Sponsors) and SAGIndie, One Village Entertainment, Miami Film Month, thirdREEL (Promotional Partners); Media Sponsors include: Black Enterprise, Uptown (Official Level); Jones Magazine and Precious Times (Supporting Level).

Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. 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 film distribution company founded in 2000 by Jeff Friday (CEO). For full details on this year’s festival, please visit www.abff.com.

For photos of the ABFF Opening and Closing films, please visit: http://ls-pr.com/?p=1100

Connect with us:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Black-Film-Festival/47321635722
Twitter: @ABFF
Follow the conversation on twitter at: #ABFF2012

For media inquiries, contact Lisa Sorensen at 646-330-5458 or [email protected]

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The 16th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) to Host a Special Evening in Celebration of the Hit Film “Think Like a Man”

Filmmakers Will Packer, Rob Hardy and Tim Story to join select cast members in celebration of the film’s success

NEW YORK, NY, May 31, 2012 – On Friday, June 22, at the 16th Annual American Black Festival in Miami Beach, FL, ABFF will celebrate the success of the hit film, “Think Like A Man” (Screen Gems) produced by Will Packer (Rainforest Films). This very special evening will feature a conversation with the film’s producer, Will Packer, his business partner Rob Hardy, the film’s director, Tim Story as well as select cast members. Jeff Friday, CEO of The Film Life Inc., and founder of ABFF, planned the evening as a celebration of the film’s remarkable success and unprecedented impact on the entertainment industry.

On April 20, 2012, “Think Like a Man,” opened to $33.6 million on just 2,015 screens, unseated “The Hunger Games” and became Screen Gems’ highest opener ever targeting African-American audiences. Still holding strong at the box office, “Think Like a Man” is close to crossing a record-breaking $100 million dollar mark domestically. The film, based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling book, follows four interconnected and diverse men whose love lives are shaken up after the ladies they are pursuing buy Harvey’s book and start taking his advice to heart, stars Taraji P. Henson, Michael Ealy, Gabrielle Union, Terrence J., Regina Hall, Romany Malco, Jerry Ferrara, Meagan Good, and Kevin Hart. “Think Like a Man” has proven that ensemble casts featuring primarily African-American actors can be hugely successful at the box office.

Attendees can expect to hear an open conversation about how the film came together and then quickly became one of the top-grossing African-American films of all time. The conversation will spotlight every aspect of the film, from production and the marketing process, to casting and the use of social media as well as traditional marketing techniques, all of which has fueled its success at the box office and beyond.

Rainforest Films’ Will Packer and Rob Hardy have a very long history with ABFF. In 2000, “Trois” was the first Rainforest Films project to screen at ABFF and became the fastest African-American distributed film to ever surpass the $1 million dollar mark. Since then, five other Rainforest Films’ projects; “Pandora’s Box,” “The Gospel,” “This Christmas,” “Stomp The Yard 2: Homecoming,” and “Takers,” have screened at the festival. Jeff Friday states, “Will Packer and Rob Hardy are very talented filmmakers.” He adds, “They are have a long history with the festival and are the perfect example of how effective ABFF’s platform can be.”

Full pass and ticket information for the 2012 ABFF can be found at www.abff.com.

HBO (Founding and Premier Sponsor); Gold Peak Tea (Premier); gmc Television Network, American Airlines, Cadillac, CNN and Ciroc (Official Sponsors); Grab Media, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, smartwater, Nielsen, BET Networks, Stella Artois and Wells Fargo (Supporting Sponsors); The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority and Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (Host Sponsors) and SAGIndie, One Village Entertainment, Miami Film Month, thirdREEL (Promotional Partners); Media Sponsors include: Black Enterprise, Uptown (Official Level); Jones Magazine and Precious Times (Supporting Level).

Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. 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 film distribution company founded in 2000 by Jeff Friday (CEO). For full details on this year’s festival, please visit www.abff.com

For media inquiries, contact Lisa Sorensen at 646-330-5458 or [email protected]

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Film Life, Inc. Launches First-ever Webisode Challenge to Showcase Promising Online Content at the 16th Annual American Black Film Festival

NEW YORK, NY, May 24, 2012 – Film Life Inc., today announced the launch of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Webisode Challenge taking place at this year’s festival in South Beach Miami, FL, June 20th – 23rd. This inaugural competition is a national platform that will identify talented writers, directors and producers who demonstrate outstanding promise in creating episodic television ideal for broadcast on the Internet.

This emerging genre, as well as the potential for success within the genre, has allowed for innovative opportunities for content creators to expand their ideas. Moreover, this, the first-ever ABFF Webisode Challenge, will allow for talented filmmakers to showcase their work in a spirited and competitive atmosphere.

For consideration, entrants were required to submit three (3) episodes of a webisode series. Each webisode must be directed, written and produced by a person of African descent, feature a person of African descent in the leading role or a multicultural cast and must not have any exclusive broadcast deal/agreement with any digital platform or television network.

“The Webisode Challenge is an exciting opportunity for us to continue to support thought leaders and emerging talent in entertainment,” said Jeff Friday, CEO of Film Life and ABFF founder. “Our next generation of stars and industry success stories are in digital media.”

Each of the four competing webisodes will be viewed by the festival audience at a special hosted event. After viewing the webisodes, audience members will use their mobile device to vote for their favorite via text message. The results will appear live on a screen in the room and the winner will be presented with a cash prize of $2,500 by the ABFF. As an additional honor, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution will fly the winner to Los Angeles, CA for a pitch meeting and lunch with one of their distribution and digital executives.

ABFF 2012 Webisode Challenge Contestants:

Eeazy
Directed by John Wheatley, produced by Benny Demus

SYNOPSIS: A series with a storyline based on family loyalty and what happens when murder, family relations and friendships become entangled.

Gettin’ Grown TV
Directed by Aaron Greer, produced by Anthony Ferraro

SYNOPSIS: GGTV is a slice-of-life family friendly series about growing up in the city where some get lost…and some get grown!

Osiris
Directed by Donnie Leapheart, produced by Redd Claiborne, Rodney Breedlove and LaQuanda Plantt

SYNOPSIS: Osiris is a new 10-episode action/thriller series featuring mystery, espionage and gritty crime fiction.

12-Steps to Recovery
Produced and directed by Tony Clomax

SYNOPSIS: 12-Steps to Recovery is a romantic comedy about a New York City actor and jingle writer who gets dumped by his corporate girlfriend.

HBO (Founding and Premier Sponsor); Gold Peak Tea (Premier); gmc Television Network, American Airlines, Cadillac, CNN and Ciroc (Official Sponsors); Grab Media, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, smartwater, Nielsen, BET Networks, Stella Artois and Wells Fargo (Supporting Sponsors); The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority and Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (Host Sponsors) and SAGIndie, One Village Entertainment, Miami Film Month, thirdREEL (Promotional Partners); Media Sponsors include: Black Enterprise, Uptown (Official Level); Jones Magazine and Precious Times (Supporting Level).

Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. 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 film distribution company founded in 2000 by Jeff Friday (CEO). For full details on this year’s festival, please visit www.abff.com.

For ABFF Webisode Challenge Contestant photos, please visit: http://ls-pr.com/?p=1093

For media inquiries, contact Lisa Sorensen at 646-330-5458 or [email protected]

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GMC TV Announces Finalists in 2012 GMC Faith and Family Screenplay Competition

2011 Winner “Raising Izzie” to Premieres on Closing Night at ABFF Before its Exclusive World Television Premiere on GMC Friday, July 21

ATLANTA, May 2012 – GMC TV, America’s favorite channel for uplifting music and family entertainment, announced today the three finalists in the 2012 GMC Faith and Family Screenplay Competition. In the Meantime by Nzinga Kadalie Kemp, The Substance of Things Hoped For by Marc A. Cunningham and Kissed by the Sun by Ronice Johnson will each vie for the grand prize of $5,000. The contest, promoting the development of faith and family-friendly entertainment screenplays is a component of GMC’s “Official Sponsorship” of Film Life’s 16th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF), which will be held June 20 – 23 in Miami.

In its second year, the 2012 competition generated 148 entries, up from 131 in 2011. Judging the three finalists will be Rhonda Baraka (writer, Trinity Goodheart and Pastor Brown); Roger M. Bobb, (For Colored Girls, “House of Payne”), Bobbcat Films and producer/director of Raising Izzie; and DeVon Franklin, vice president of production for Columbia Pictures, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The three finalists will have portions of their screenplay performed as “tablereads” at the festival by well-known actors and in front of a live audience of festival attendees and industry tastemakers. A grand prize winner will be announced at the festival.

“We are pleased to continue to build our partnership with ABFF encouraging the African American creative community to come to us with natural stories that intrinsically incorporate faith and family friendly elements, and speak to broad audiences,” said Brad Siegel, vice chairman, GMC. “The interest level and quality of submissions over the competition’s first two years, along with the reinforcement that GMC is the right home for these types of stories, is exactly what we hoped to achieve by creating this opportunity.”

The three 2012 finalists are:

In the Meantime
by Nzinga Kadalie Kemp of Los Angeles, California

A bride-to-be gives her fiancé “creative” freedom before their wedding day, but ends up finding faith and the meaning of true love in the meantime. Jazmin “Jazz” Welles and her fiancé “Blac” are taking a non-traditional approach to their nuptials. They’ve agreed to take nine months off to discover themselves and if it is indeed true love, they’ll show up on the wedding day, no questions asked.

The Substance of Things Hoped For
by Marc A. Cunningham of North Hollywood, California

After a tremendous number of setbacks, Lacy Scott decides to leave home to pursue his dream of being a lawyer. As he tugs along on his journey with just hope and a dream, he finds out anything is possible when you have faith.

Kissed by the Sun
by Ronice Johnson of Charlotte, North Carolina

Life was comfortable for Summer, a graceful, stylish and popular young girl living in Harlem, NY with her mom. Upon deciding to spend the summer with dad in Burlington, Vermont, Summer is enrolled in a camp that exposes her to new kids and an unexpected experience – racial bullying. Summer has to decide whether to ignore the problem or expose it.

The 2011 winner of the GMC Faith and Family Screenplay Competition, Raising Izzie, was filmed as a GMC World Premiere Movie earlier this year and will close out ABFF on Saturday, June 23, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. GMC’S World Premiere Movie Raising Izzie stars Daytime Emmy© nominee and NAACP Image Award© winner Vanessa Williams (“Lincoln Heights,” “Soul Food”), Rockmond Dunbar (“Soul Food”), Kyla Kenedy (Three Stooges, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) and Victoria Staley (“My Parents, My Sister and Me”, “Surface”). Directed by Roger M. Bobb (For Colored Girls, “House of Payne”), the film is based on the winning screenplay submitted by David Martyn Conley. Raising Izzie will have its world television premiere exclusively on GMC at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 21 with encore broadcasts at 7 and 9 p.m.

The 2011 second runner-up, “Somebody’s Child” written by Siddeeqah Powell will begin production in the summer and will premiere on GMC later in the year.

About GMC TV
GMC (www.watchGMCtv.com) is America’s favorite television channel for uplifting music and family entertainment. The Parents Television CouncilTM has twice awarded its Entertainment Seal of ApprovalTM to GMC for being “an authentic family-friendly cable network.” GMC is the only television network brand to be so honored. GMC can be seen in more than 51 million homes on various cable systems around the country, as well as DISH Network on channel 188, DIRECTV on channel 338 and Verizon FiOS on channel 224. Follow GMC TV on Facebook and Twitter at http://facebook.com/gmctv and http://twitter.com/gmctv.

About ABFF
Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. 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, and production and film distribution company founded in 2000 by Jeff Friday (CEO).

Contacts:

Chelsye J. Burrows
770.692.4559
[email protected]

Jackie Bazan-Ross
212-643-4664 X704
[email protected]

Evelyn Santana
212-643-4664 X702
[email protected]

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Kimberly Elise, Isaiah Washington, Common & S. Epatha Merkerson are among the stellar list of Grand Jury nods from Film Life’s 16th Annual American Black Film Festival

NEW YORK, May 15, 2012 – Film Life Inc., today announced the Narrative Features Competition selections and Grand Jury Award nominees for the 16th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) taking place in South Beach Miami, FL, June 20th – 23rd. Kimberly Elise, Isaiah Washington, Common and S. Epatha Merkerson are among the stellar list of thespians nominated to receive the Grand Jury prize for their work.

The films in ABFF’s 2012 Narrative Features section reflect a creative multiplicity which can be seen, felt and heard in controversy through rhythmic Jamaican patois (Better Mus’ Come) to a young Parisian woman’s search for her father (Elza). Struggle and disappointment between generations is candidly explored (LUV) and two men of the cloth face consequences (The Undershepherd).

Each film in the narrative features section must be directed by a person of African descent, tell a story of the Black experience or feature a person of African descent in a leading role. Films that are submitted for consideration are reviewed by a team of film industry professionals, which comprises the ABFF’s screening committee. Each film is graded on artistic merit and impactful subject matter. As this year’s Grand Jury President, Actor, Mekhi Phifer (“Lie to Me,” “ER”), will serve as a judge and will present prizes in front of the festival audience at The Winners Circle awards presentation on the closing day of the festival.

The complete list of the 2012 Narrative Feature films is as follows:

BETTER MUS’ COME
Written and directed by Storm Saulter, produced by Paul Bucknor

CAST: Sheldon Shepherd, Nicole ‘Sky’ Grey, Everaldo Creary, Ricardo Orgill and Roger Guenveur Smith

SYNOPSIS: The film follows warring political factions in 1970s Jamaica as they enlist the support of gangs to enforce their policies, and advanced their political agenda.

 

THE DARK PARTY
Written by William Wells, Kadeem Hardison, Salenta Baisden and Terry Wilkerson, produced by Terry Wilkerson, Deji LaRay, Salenta Baisden and William Wells, directed by Kadeem Hardison

CAST: Kadeem Hardison, Marcus Patrick and Tiffany Hines

SYNOPSIS: When two best friends want to find true love, a radio talk psychologist helps them throw the ultimate blind date party and serous social experiment.

 

THE LAST FALL
Written and directed by Matthew Cherry, produced by Ellis Hobbs, Monique Hobbs, Nikki Love and Scott Hebert

CAST: Lance Gross, Nicole Behari, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Obba Babatundé, Darrin DeWitt Henson, Michael Moss, Harry Lennix, Keith David

SYNOPSIS: An NFL journeyman struggles to deal with life’s complexities after his professional career is over at twenty-five.

 

LUV
Written and directed by Sheldon Candis and Justin Wilson, produced by Jason Berman, Datari Turner, W. Michael Jenson, Gordon Bijelonic, Joel Newton, James Rosenthal, Common and Derek Dudley

CAST: Common, Michael Rainey Jr., Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, Michael Kenneth Williams and Meagan Good

SYNOPSIS: An orphaned eleven-year-old boy is forced to face an unpleasant truth about his beloved uncle during one harrowing day in the streets of Baltimore.

 

ELZA
Written and directed by Mariette MonPierre and Mama Keita, produced by Mariette MonPierre, Gerard LaCroix, Eric Basset

CAST: Stana Roumillac, Vincent Byrd Le Sage, Christophe Cherki, Sophie Berger

SYNOPSIS: A young Parisian woman of Caribbean descent returns to her native island of Guadeloupe in search of the father she has never known.

 

THE UNDERSHEPHERD
Produced and directed by Russ Parr, produced by Russ Parr, Eric Tomosunas, Scott Aronson and Isaiah Washington

CAST: Isaiah Washington, Louis Gossett Jr., Lamman Rucker, Malinda Williams, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Elise Neal, Robinne Lee, Clifton Powell, Keith David and John Wesley

SYNOPSIS: Two minister’s opposing decisions destroy their friendship as the ascension of evil verses the struggle of an honest church impact the entire community.

 

Film awards presented include: Grand Jury Prize for Best Screenplay, sponsored by Ciroc; Grand Jury Prize for Best Director, sponsored by Cadillac; Grand Jury Prize for Best Actor, sponsored by Gold Peak Tea; Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature, sponsored by BET Networks; and Best Documentary sponsored by CNN. Prizes will be presented at ABFF’s culminating ceremony, The Winners Circle on June 23.

 

The four films in the narrative features category compete for ABFF’s Grand Jury Prizes for:

Best Screenplay, presented by Ciroc
Best Director, presented by Cadillac
Best Actor, presented by Gold Peak Tea
Best Narrative Feature, presented by BET Networks

 

The specific nominees are as follows:

Grand Jury Prize for Best Screenplay, presented by Ciroc
Storm Saulter – BETTER MUS’ COME
Matthew Cherry – THE LAST FALL
Mariettte MonPierre and Mama Keita – ELZA
Russ Parr – THE UNDERSHEPHERD

Grand Jury Prize for Best Director, presented by Cadillac
Sheldon Candis – LUV
Matthew Cherry – THE LAST FALL
Russ Parr – THE UNDERSHEPHERD
Storm Saulter – BETTER MUS’ COME

Grand Jury Prize Best Performance by an Actor (Male or Female), presented by Gold Peak Tea
Common – LUV
Lance Gross – THE LAST FALL
Sheldon Sheppard – BETTER MUS’ COME
Isaiah Washington – THE UNDERSHEPHERD

Nicole Behari – THE LAST FALL
Kimberly Elise – TIES THAT BIND
Malinda Williams – THE UNDERSHEPHERD

Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Feature, presented by BET Networks
THE LAST FALL
ELZA
LUV
THE UNDERSHEPHERD

Grand Jury Prize for Documentary, presented by CNN
THE CONTRADICTIONS OF FAIR HOPE, co-directed by S. Epatha Merkerson and Rockell Metcalf FORCE M.D.s RELIVED, directed by Frazier Prince THINK NFL, LOVE DAD (The DeSean Jackson Story), co-directed by Byron Jackson and Kern Konwiser SOUL FOOD JUNKIES, directed by Byron Hurt

 

Full pass and ticket information for the 2012 ABFF can be found at abff.com

HBO (Founding and Premier Sponsor); Gold Peak Tea (Premier); gmc Television Network, American Airlines, Cadillac and CNN (Official Sponsors); Grab Media, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, smartwater, Nielsen, BET Networks, Stella Artois and Wells Fargo (Supporting Sponsors); The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority and Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (Host Sponsors) and SAGIndie, One Village Entertainment, Miami Film Month, thirdREEL (Promotional Partners); Media Sponsors include: Black Enterprise, Uptown (Official Level); Jones Magazine and Precious Times (Supporting Level).

Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. 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 film distribution company founded in 2000 by Jeff Friday (CEO). For full details on this year’s festival, please visit abff.com.

For media inquiries, contact Lisa Sorensen at 646-330-5458 or [email protected]