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S. Epatha Merkerson’s ‘THE CONTRADICTIONS OF FAIR HOPE’ and The Desean Jackson Story ‘THINK NFL, LOVE DAD’ are among Film Life’s 16th Annual American Black Film Festival documentary competition selections

Winner of the documentary competition to be presented with $5,000

NEW YORK, May 15, 2012 – Film Life Inc., today announced the documentary competition selections for the 16th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) taking place in South Beach Miami, FL, June 20th – 23rd.

This year, the four documentaries featured in the festival showcase an eclectic mix of stories. From the culture of food within the African-American community, to following the career trajectory of a young athlete, these personal stories and viewpoints are what make the documentary competition so special to ABFF. One selected documentary will receive The Best Documentary Award and a grand prize of $5,000, which will be presented at The Winners Circle awards presentation on the closing day of the festival.

ABFF Documentary Competition finalists must meet certain criteria; each documentary must be directed by a person of African descent or tell a story of the Black experience. 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.

Jeff Friday, founder and CEO of ABFF states, “I commend the filmmakers for telling these amazing stories.” Adding, “The themes of the films in the documentary competition reflect various cultural touchstones which are important to the people that make up our festival.”

The complete list of films selected for the 2012 Documentary Competition is as follows:

THE CONTRADICTIONS OF FAIR HOPE, co-directed by S. Epatha Merkerson and Rockell Metcalf
An unprecedented window into the lives of freed slaves who courageously formed benevolent societies in America as they transitioned from slavery to freedom. The film examines the historical impact of the Fair Hope Benevolent Society juxtaposed against the worldly pleasures of its modern day “Foot Wash” celebration.

FORCE M.D.s RELIVED, directed by Frazier Prince (World Premiere)
Historic musical footage and heart wrenching interviews tell the incredible story of Hip Hop and R&B’s most dynamic innovators.

THINK NFL, LOVE DAD (The DeSean Jackson Story), co-directed by Byron Jackson and Kern Konwiser (World Premiere)
This film is the result of over 20 years of documenting every aspect of the NFL star DeSean Jackson and his family’s rocky journey trying to stay together through it all.

SOUL FOOD JUNKIES, directed by Byron Hurt (World Premiere)
Baffled by his dad’s unwillingness to change his traditional soul food diet in the face of a health crisis, Hurt sets out to learn more about this rich culinary tradition and its relevance to Black cultural identity.

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 documentary photos please visit: http://ls-pr.com/?p=1047.

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

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Film Life’s 16th Annual American Black Film Festival Announces the HBO® Short Film Award Competition Selections

Winner of the 15th Annual HBO® Short Film Award Competition to be presented with $20,000 grand prize

NEW YORK, May 11, 2012 – Film Life Inc., today announced the HBO Short Film Award competition selections for the 16th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) taking place in South Beach Miami, FL, June 20th – 23rd.

The HBO® Short Film Award competition, which has been an integral part of the festival for 15 years, is one of the most prestigious platforms for emerging filmmakers. Five finalists’ films are screened before the festival audience and each vie for a grand prize of $20,000. In addition, the films in competition will also be considered for broadcast on one of HBO’s programming services. Talent discovered through this competition include filmmakers: Sylvain White (The Losers, Stomp the Yard), Frank E. Flowers (Haven) and Saladin Patterson (“Psych,” “The Bernie Mac Show” and The Fighting Temptations).

Jeff Friday, founder and CEO of ABFF states, “HBO has consistently demonstrated a commitment to discovering new filmmakers, which is the goal of our festival.” He adds, “Every year, the HBO Short Film Award competition is a highlight, and we are thrilled to have HBO actively involved as our founding and premier sponsor.”

The complete list of the 2012 HBO Short Film Award Competition films is as follows:

ZERO, written and directed by Kimberly Townes (World Premiere)
An introverted teen is forced to defend herself when her bullies threaten to spill the beans about her crush on the math teacher.

CHERRY WAVES, written and directed by Carey Williams (World Premiere)
A story of love, loss, and finding oneself set against the world of underground street fighting.

SLEEP, written and directed by Donald Conley (World Premiere)
Rashad assumes the responsibility of his household during the one morning that changes the rest of his life.

WOMACK, written and directed by André Wilkins (World Premiere)
A vicious crime leaves a Brooklyn man wrestling with his conscience, searching for an escape to greater purpose.

BUSTED ON BRIGHAM LANE, written and directed by Talibah Newman (World Premiere)
A teenage girl takes precariously creative measures to reconcile her relationship with her estranged father for her 18th birthday after spotting him singing on the train.

 

“The success of the HBO Short Film Award stems from both the hard work and creativity found in the black filmmaking community,” said Lucinda Martinez, vice president, Domestic Network Distribution & Multicultural Marketing at HBO. “It was created to celebrate young filmmakers and we’re extremely proud of all the talent the competition has brought to the forefront.”

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.

Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. and the world’s most successful pay TV service, providing the two television services – HBO® and Cinemax® – to approximately 93 million subscribers worldwide. The services offer the most popular subscription video-on-demand products, HBO On Demand® and Cinemax On Demand® as well as HBO GO® and MAX GO®, HD feeds and multiplex channels. Internationally, HBO branded television networks, along with the subscription video-on-demand products HBO On Demand and HBO GO, bring HBO services to over 60 countries. HBO programming is sold into over 150 countries worldwide.

For photos please visit: http://ls-pr.com/?p=1015 .

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

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Film Life’s 16th Annual American Black Film Festival Announces the 2012 Star Project Grand Prize Winners – Sherial Mckinney and Robert Hunter

One grand-prize winner will receive a walk-on role on NBC’s daytime drama “Days of our Lives”

Sherial McKinney and Robert Hunter

NEW YORK, May 4, 2012 – Film Life, Inc., announced that winners of its 16th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Star Project are Sherial McKinney of Sherman Oaks, CA and Robert Hunter of Cleveland, OH. Sponsored by NBCUniversal, this program is an international acting competition designed to spotlight emerging multi-cultural talent.

The ABFF Star Project was launched in 2009 as part of the common goal to encourage serious pursuit of the craft by providing a platform for undiscovered actors while supporting their career advancement. The winners, Sherial McKinney and Robert Hunter, where selected among a stellar group of finalists which included Ozioma Akagha (Los Angeles, CA), Stephanie La Capra (New York, NY), Justin Chu Cary (Berkeley, CA) and Kenny Cooper (Los Angeles, CA).

Star Project entrants were required to submit two videotaped monologues online, one of their choice, and one selected by NBCUniversal and ABFF. The Star Project jury, comprised of an esteemed panel of accomplished actors, directors and casting executives, selected three female and three male finalists. From the six finalists, the two winners, one male and one female, will receive all-expense-paid trips to Miami, Florida, to this year’s ABFF festival. One grand-prize winner will be selected by NBCUniversal to appear in a walk-on role on “Days of our Lives” and will have the opportunity to audition before a leading casting director.

“NBCUniversal is honored to partner with the ABBF to encourage and reward promising young film artists with a chance to elevate their work in order to receive instruction, guidance and our full support in their endeavors,” said Kendra Carter, Director of Talent Diversity Initiatives, NBCUniversal. “We look forward to provide these actors with the right platform that could launch their careers and allow an even greater audience to enjoy their talents.”

In addition to the paid trips to the ABFF in Miami, the Star Project winners will be introduced to the festival audience at The Winners Circle awards presentation on the closing day of the festival.

Emayatzy E. Corinealdi In 2010, Emayatzy E. Corinealdi was the Star Project winner. This year, she will appear in two starring roles on BET; the emotionally dramatic film, “Middle of Nowhere,” with Omari Hardwick, and the dramatic series “Gun Hill” with Larenz Tate.

Jeff Friday, founder and CEO of ABFF states, “I am pleased to provide a platform for fresh, hopeful, talented actors to get exposure. Through our commitment to the Star Project, we will continue to offer our winners opportunities to advance their careers as actors.” He adds, “Next year we plan to bring this contest to the web to provide more visibility for the finalists and the winners.”

Sherial McKinney bio:
Sherial McKinney Sherial McKinney, an Orange County native, was raised (along with her five sisters) by her adoptive family from the age of 10 years old. Taking an early interest in vocal performance and university-wide Shakespearean competitions, it came as no surprise when McKinney decided to pursue acting full time.

Though her professional career began just a few years ago, McKinney’s talent and determination have allowed her to work with hit director Melina Matsoukas in the UK release of Leona Lewis’s “Bleeding Love” as the dramatic lead, garner a lead role in the Netflix featured film “He’s on My Mind” (2009), and host for Style Network’s producers of Vimby.com. Recently, McKinney has also been seen in TV One’s newest series “Will to Live.”

Praised by industry talents such as Kym Whitley and Alphonso McAuley for her comedic timing, authenticity and dedication to her craft; the sky is the limit for this gifted young actress.

Robert Hunter Robert Hunter bio:
Robert Hunter is a Cleveland native who moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18. He started in theatre with the roles of Frank Elgin in the Clifford Odets play “The Country Girl” and East in John Cariani’s romantic comedy “Almost Maine.” Hunter made his film debut in 2011 when he starred in a short film entitled “LA Bros.” Hunter is a young actor who is focused on traveling and learning from the best.

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 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).

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.

PHOTOS: For finalist and winner photos, please visit www.ls-pr.com.

For more information on the ABFF Star Project competition, please visit: https://www.abff.com/miami/theStarProject/2012/.

Media contact: Lisa Sorensen, LSPR office: 646-330-5458, email: [email protected]