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ABFF to Close Festival with Tupac Biopic ALL EYEZ ON ME, Starring Kat Graham, Hill Harper, Danai Gurira, Cory Hardrict and Demetrius Shipp Jr. as Tupac Shakur

PRESENTED BY LIONSGATE FILMS, CODEBLACK FILMS AND MORGAN CREEK PRODUCTIONS

New York, New York (March 29, 2017) – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced today that the biographical drama film, All Eyez On Me, from director Benny Boom, will close the festival on Saturday, June 17th. The closing night film is presented by Lionsgate, Codeblack Films and Morgan Creek Productions.

All Eyez On Me tells the true and untold story of prolific rapper, actor, poet and activist Tupac Shakur. The film follows Shakur from his early days in New York City to his evolution into being one of the world’s most recognized and influential voices, before his untimely death at the age of 25. Against all odds, Shakur’s raw talent, powerful lyrics and revolutionary mind-set propelled him into becoming a cultural icon whose legacy continues to grow long after his passing.

The film stars Kat Graham (Vampire Diaries, Addicted), Lauren Cohan (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice), Hill Harper (CSI: NY, Covert Affairs), Jamal Woolard (Notorious), Danai Gurira (Black Panther, The Walking Dead), Jamie Hector (The Wire, Paid in Full), Cory Hardrict (American Sniper, Destined) and Demetrius Shipp Jr. (#unlock’d) as Tupac Shakur. The producers are LT Hutton, David Robinson, and James G. Robinson.

“Lionsgate’s Codeblack Films has committed a lot of resources to bringing Black stories to the screen and Jeff Clanagan, President of Codeblack Films, has been a long-time supporter of the festival. It’s an honor to screen the highly-anticipated story of iconic rapper and poet Tupac Shakur as this year’s closing film, and to support its director ABFF Alum, Benny Boom,” says Jeff Friday, ABFF Ventures CEO.

To purchase passes, tickets for events, panels and screenings at the American Black Film Festival, log on to https://www.abff.com/miami/festival-passes/.

Join the conversation on social media by logging on to ABFF’s multiple social media platforms:

Sponsors for the American Black Film Festival are HBO® (Founding and Presenting Sponsor); Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Host and Presenting Sponsor); TV One, Cadillac (Presenting Sponsor); Comcast NBCUniversal, Prudential, McDonald’s, Turner (Premier Sponsors); and American Airlines, Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Verizon (Official Sponsors); Planned Parenthood of America and OWN (Supporting Sponsors); Walter Kaitz Foundation (Industry Partner).

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. It supports emerging artists to foster a wider range of images, stories and storytellers represented in the entertainment industry. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. Today, the ABFF is recognized as the preeminent pipeline to new Black talent, both in front of and behind the camera, and is regarded as one of the leading film festivals in the world. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content targeted to upscale African American audiences.

PRESS CONTACT:

Strategic Heights Media
Michelle Huff Elliott
[email protected]
212-634-7176

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ABFF to Open with the World Premiere of Universal Pictures’ GIRLS TRIP, Starring Regina Hall, Tiffany Haddish, with Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah

PRESENTED BY THE MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA INC. (MPAA), COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES

New York, New York (March 23, 2017) – The 2017 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) to open with the upcoming comedy Girls Trip on Wednesday, June 14, at the historic Olympia Theater in Miami. The world premiere of this opening night film, in advance of its nationwide release, is presented by the Motion Picture Association of America Inc. (MPAA), courtesy of Universal Pictures. Girls Trip arrives in theaters on July 21.

Producer Will Packer (Ride Along and Think Like a Man franchises, Almost Christmas) presents the new comedy from director/producer Malcolm D. Lee (The Best Man franchise, Barbershop: The Next Cut).

When four lifelong friends—Regina Hall (Think Like a Man, The Best Man Holiday), Tiffany Haddish (Keanu, A Christmas Wedding), with Jada Pinkett Smith (Gotham, Bad Moms) and Queen Latifah (Star, Bessie)—travel to New Orleans for the annual Essence Festival, sisterhoods are rekindled, wild sides are rediscovered, and there’s enough dancing, drinking, brawling and romancing to make the Big Easy blush.

Larenz Tate (House of Lies), Kate Walsh (Private Practice), Mike Colter (Luke Cage) and Kofi Siriboe (Queen Sugar) co-star in the comedy directed from a screenplay by Black-ish creator Kenya Barris & screenwriter Tracy Oliver (Barbershop: The Next Cut), from a story by Erica Rivinoja (Trolls) and Barris & Oliver. James Lopez, head of motion pictures for Will Packer Productions, and Preston Holmes, executive produce.

Hashtag: #GirlsTrip
Website: www.GirlsTripMovie.com

“The MPAA is thrilled to once again sponsor the Opening Night film for the American Black Film Festival,” said Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America. “For five years, the MPAA has partnered with the ABFF to diversify the creative pipeline, and I want to commend my good friend Jeff Friday and his team on their extraordinary work in presenting a wide array of diverse stories to the Festival audience. I would like to thank our member studio Universal Pictures for partnering with us to showcase their new film Girls Trip.”

“We deeply appreciate Senator Dodd and the MPAA team’s continued support of ABFF. Both the MPAA and Universal Pictures are genuinely committed to supporting diversity in the motion-picture industry, and we are excited to premiere Girls Trip to the ABFF audience on opening night. The film is produced by ABFF alum Will Packer and starring, among others, this year’s ABFF ambassador, Regina Hall—as well as directed by longtime friend of the festival Malcolm D. Lee. We’ll also be following up the screening with a dynamic ‘ABFF First Look’ panel discussion the very next day: the perfect combination to start this year’s festival,” said ABFF Ventures CEO Founder Jeff Friday.

To purchase passes, tickets for events, panels and screenings at the American Black Film Festival, log on to https://www.abff.com/miami/festival-passes/.

Join the conversation on social media by logging on to ABFF’s multiple social media platforms:

Sponsors for the American Black Film Festival are HBO® (Founding and Presenting Sponsor); Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Host and Presenting Sponsor); TV One, Cadillac (Presenting Sponsor); Comcast NBCUniversal, Prudential, Turner (Premier Sponsors); and American Airlines, Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Verizon (Official Sponsors); Walter Kaitz Foundation (Industry Partner).

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. It supports emerging artists to foster a wider range of images, stories and storytellers represented in the entertainment industry. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. Today, the ABFF is recognized as the preeminent pipeline to new Black talent, both in front of and behind the camera, and is regarded as one of the leading film festivals in the world. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content targeted to upscale African American audiences.

ABOUT MPAA:
The Motion Picture Association of America Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLC; Universal Pictures; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

PRESS CONTACT:

Strategic Heights Media
Michelle Huff Elliott
[email protected]
212-634-7176

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ABFF Launches Greenlighters Academy to Educate and Prepare Students for Executive Positions in Film and Television. Terrence Jenkins Named Ambassador for Program.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND TV PERSONALITY TERRENCE JENKINS NAMED AMBASSADOR FOR PROGRAM

New York, New York (March 17, 2017) – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has announced the first annual ABFF Greenlighters Academy, a new educational and career development initiative targeted to African American college students with an interest in pursuing executive careers in film and television.

This is a pipeline program that inspires its participants to become heads of various divisions within the Hollywood studio system and nurtures future film and television executives who will be leaders of this industry. The inaugural Greenlighters Academy will launch in Los Angeles this April.

As the first official program under the new ABFF INSPIRES umbrella, the ABFF Greenlighters Academy will educate students on the inner workings of the film and television business while granting them access to leading industry experts who will share valuable career building tips, along with guidance based on their own career trajectories.

Actor and producer Terrence Jenkins will serve as the ambassador to the Greenlighters Academy. Terrence recognizes the importance of giving back and helping African American students understand the corporate side of the film and television industry. Through his company, Jenkins Entertainment Group, Terrence has been optioned to develop and executive produce original content for both MTV and VH1. Terrence also took his talents to the silver screen and starred in such films as Stomp the Yard: Homecoming, Think Like A Man, Baggage Claim, The Perfect Match, and more. Past television hosting jobs have included BET’s popular music countdown show, 106 & Park and E! News’ daily entertainment news show.

“The ABFF Greenlighters Academy is an expansion of our 20-year legacy of identifying young African American talent. We firmly believe that we have to lift as we climb. This unprecedented incubator program will give African American college students the opportunity to jump-start their corporate entertainment careers through the information and access they will receive. The ABFF Greenlighters Academy is a pipeline to corporate positions that will inspire these diverse young people to become executives who are an integral part of greenlighting film and television projects in Hollywood,” states Jeff Friday, CEO of ABFF Ventures, LLC.

Terrence will host the two-day intensive boot camp in Los Angeles where students will attend sessions with top corporate entertainment executives, agents, department heads, and production company owners. The speakers will describe their career trajectory, conduct “Day in the Life” seminars, and engage the students in “Ask Me Anything” roundtable discussions. The boot camp will also include outings to various Hollywood offices, studio lots and/or set locations, which will give the students a look into the day-to-day of working within a corporate entertainment company. The program will also assist students throughout the year to secure internship opportunities at production companies, television networks and movie studios.

“I am happy to partner with the ABFF on the Greenlighters Academy. While in college, I always searched for information on how to break into Hollywood. This program is the answer and I look forward to being a part of the next generation of entertainment business executives,” says Terrence Jenkins.

Participants will leave the ABFF Greenlighters Academy with a clear understanding of what it takes to “green light” a project and the knowledge and understanding of the steps they need to pursue a career in the corporate entertainment executive path.

The application submission rules for the ABFF Greenlighters Academy are available online now at https://www.abff.com/miami/abff-greenlighters-academy/ and the submission deadline is March 31, 2017. The academy is open to African American students pursuing all majors, who are sophomores or above matriculated in a four-year bachelor degree program at an accredited college or university, with a current GPA of 3.0 or above.

FOLLOW ABFF ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. It supports emerging artists to foster a wider range of images, stories and storytellers represented in the entertainment industry. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. Today, the ABFF is recognized as the preeminent pipeline to new Black talent, both in front of and behind the camera, and is regarded as one of the leading film festivals in the world. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content targeted to upscale African American audiences.

PRESS CONTACT:

Strategic Heights Media
Michelle Huff Elliott / Simone Smalls
michelle@strategicheights.com
212-634-7176

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Turner Partners with American Black Film Festival to Launch New Writing Contest

Turner Also Plans Executive Skills Session for June 14-18 Festival, Kicking Off Three-Year Agreement to Support ABFF as Premier Sponsor

February 6, 2017 – Global media company Turner is partnering with the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) on a new writing contest designed to discover fresh writing talent from racially diverse backgrounds. Through the ABFF & Turner Writing Contest, writers with no professional television experience are invited to submit pilot scripts for comedy or drama series. One winner chosen from each genre will win a trip to Miami for the 2017 American Black Film Festival, which takes place June 14-18, along with a cash prize and the opportunity to meet with the original programming development teams for Turner’s TBS & TNT.

“TNT and TBS are fully committed to expanding opportunities for storytellers from all backgrounds,” said Sarah Aubrey, executive vice president of original programming for TNT. “The ABFF & Turner Writing Contest is an excellent way to find and nurture exciting new talent just waiting to be discovered.”

The ABFF & Turner Writing Contest is the first element in a new three-year agreement through which Turner will support ABFF as a Premier Sponsor. In addition to collaborating on the contest, Turner will host an executive skills-building session during this year’s festival. Slated to take place in the ABFF’s Careers in Entertainment Center, the session will be followed by a recruitment fair to share information about current and future employment opportunities at Turner.

“We believe that attracting emerging business leaders who can bring a wide range of experience, ideas and perspectives to our networks is crucial to our continued success,” said Angela Santone, executive vice president and global chief human resources officer for Turner. “We look forward to collaborating with the ABFF as we promote the importance of being inclusive in today’s rapidly changing industry.”

“We are thankful to Turner for investing in the future of our storytellers, who in turn help shape and reshape the images projected of Black America,” stated Melanie Sharee, head of programming, ABFF. “They are committed to providing opportunities for creative talent, as well as for those seeking an executive path within the industry. We
are grateful for their partnership and commitment to the ABFF mission.”

Although Turner’s specific plans for the ABFF will vary from year to year, the company’s activities will remain focused on telling inclusive stories that challenge racial divisions and providing a wide range of opportunities for new voices to be heard. Other Turner-related activities for this year’s festival will be announced later.

The ABFF & Turner Writing Contest is open to U.S. residents who are over the age of 18 and members of a diverse or underrepresented community. Scripts must be submitted by April 5, 2017, in order to be considered. Additional details and contest rules are available at www.abff.com/turner-tv-pilot-contest/.

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. It supports emerging artists to foster a wider range of images, stories and storytellers represented in the entertainment industry. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. Today, the ABFF is recognized as the preeminent pipeline to new Black talent, both in front of and behind the camera, and is regarded as one of the leading film festivals in the world. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content targeted to upscale African American audiences. For more information, go to www.ABFF.com.

Sponsors of the 2017 American Black Film Festival to date are HBO (Founding & Presenting); the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Host& Presenting); TV One, Cadillac (Presenting); Comcast NBCUniversal and Turner (Premier); and American Airlines, Verizon (Official); Walter Kaitz Foundation (Industry Partner).

About Turner
Turner, a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, sports, animation and young adult multi-platform content for consumers around the world. Turner brands and businesses include CNN/ U.S., HLN, CNN International and CNN.com, TBS, TNT, TCM, truTV, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Adult Swim, Turner Sports, Bleacher Report, FilmStruck, Super Deluxe, iStreamPlanet and ELEAGUE.

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The 2017 “BET Presents The American Black Festival Honors” Adds Terrence Howard as Honoree with Special Appearances by Kofi Siriboe, Jay Ellis, Alexandra Shipp and Kylie Bunbury

ACTRESS AND DIRECTOR REGINA HALL HOSTS ANNUAL CEREMONY

Awards Show Tapes Friday, February 17 in Los Angeles and will air on BET and Centric Wednesday, February 22 at 8:00PM ET

#ABFFHonors

Los Angeles, CA (February 6, 2017) – BET Networks and American Black Film Festival (ABFF)’s “BET Presents the American Black Film Festival Honors” is excited to add an iconic artist to the list of honorees. Oscar nominated actor and singer, Terrence Howard, will be presented the “Excellence in the Arts” honor. In addition, set to make special appearances are some of Young Hollywood’s biggest names, including Kofi Siriboe, Jay Ellis, Alexandra Shipp, and Kylie Bunbury. “BET Presents the American Black Film Festival Honors” airs on BET and Centric on Wednesday, February 22nd at 8:00PM ET.

This year’s ABFF honorees have made great contributions to the art of entertainment through their work and our newest honoree is no different. Terrence Howard is a man of many talents. Best known for his current role on Fox’s Empire as malicious music mogul, Luscious Lyon, the real Terrence Howard is also a musical force. His self-taught talent is on full display in several of his earliest film appearances including Ray and Hustle and Flow. The Columbia Records signee completed his debut album in a mere five days, and went on to write music for a number of his on – screen characters. His big screen performances have earned him a BET Award, five NAACP Image Awards, and Oscar and Golden Globe nominations among them.

In addition to the honorees, some of Hollywood’s rising stars are set to make a special appearance. Kofi Siriboe (Queen Sugar), Jay Ellis (Insecure, The Game), Alexandra Shipp (X-Men: Apocolypse, Straight Outta Compton) and Kylie Bunbury (Pitch) are confirmed to open the show.

ABFF Honors’ mission is to celebrate Black culture by honoring individuals, movies and television shows that have had a significant impact on American entertainment, as well as the people who are proponents of championing diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. The annual event will be hosted by actress Regina Hall.

“BET Presents the American Black Film Festival Honors” is sure to be a highlight of the Hollywood Awards season and Black History Month. The event is executive produced by ABFF Ventures founder Jeff Friday, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones for de Passe Jones Entertainment, Jesse Collins for Jesse Collins Entertainment, and Connie Orlando, Stephen G. Hill and Debra Lee for BET Networks.

The 2017 ABFF Honors sponsors are Cadillac, AT&T and Prudential Financial Services (Red Carpet Partners) and Hennessy (Official Spirit Partner).

For more information about the 2017 ABFF Honors, log on to www.ABFFHonors.com. Also, follow us on our social media platforms:

SOCIAL MEDIA:

For media inquiries and to apply for media credentials for the 2017 ABFF Honors, please log on to http://abffhonors.com/media/2017-ABFF-Honors-Credential-Application.pdf.

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. It supports emerging artists to foster a wider range of images, stories and storytellers represented in the entertainment industry. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. Today, the ABFF is recognized as the preeminent pipeline to new Black talent, both in front of and behind the camera, and is regarded as one of the leading film festivals in the world. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content targeted to upscale African American audiences.

For additional information about the festival, visit www.ABFF.com.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS:
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B sted NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks – BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.

PRESS CONTACTS:
Michelle Huff Elliott
Strategic Heights Media
michelle@strategicheights.com
212-634-7176

Terrece Walker
BET Communications
Terrece.Walker@BET.net
212-205-3264

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ABFF and Hilton Team Up to Give a VIP Experience to a Lucky Winner to the ABFF Honors

BET NETWORKS, THE AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL (ABFF) AND HILTON TEAM UP TO GIVE A VIP EXPERIENCE TO A LUCKY WINNER TO THE 2017 BET PRESENTS THE AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL HONORS IN LOS ANGELES ON FEBRUARY 17

Fans Have an Opportunity to vote for their favorite Movie and Television Show of the Year

Vote now at ABFFHonors.com

#ABFFHonors #HiltonCelebratesABFF

Los Angeles, CA (February 3, 2017) – BET Networks, The American Black Film Festival and Hilton have teamed up to grant one lucky winner with an exciting opportunity to experience the full VIP treatment at the 2017 “BET Presents The American Black Film Festival Honors” in Los Angeles, February 17. Entries to the contest opens today and closes February 9, 2017.

Film and television enthusiasts will vote online for their favorite movie and television show of 2016 for “Movie of the Year” and the “Television Show of the Year” categories. For each vote cast, voters will automatically be entered for a chance to win the trip. There is a limit of one (1) entry per person and per email address for the duration of the contest period, regardless of the method of entry.

Nominees for “Movie of the Year” are:

  • THE BIRTH OF A NATION (Fox Searchlight)
  • FENCES (Paramount)
  • HIDDEN FIGURES (20th Century Fox)
  • MOONLIGHT (A24)
  • QUEEN OF KATWE (The Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Nominees for “Television Show of the Year” are:

  • ATLANTA (FX)
  • BLACK-ish (ABC)
  • INSECURE (HBO)
  • POWER (STARZ)
  • QUEEN SUGAR (OWN)

“We encourage everyone to make their voice heard. 2016 was an amazing year for black film and television and we have partnered with Hilton to provide a VIP experience for fans to be a part of this incredible awards show by casting their vote,” says Jeff Friday, ABFF Ventures CEO.

The grand prize winner will receive:

  • Two (2) round-trip coach airline tickets to Los Angeles
  • One (1) hotel room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for two nights (Feb. 16-18, 2017)
  • Opportunity to walk the ABFF Honors Red Carpet
  • Two (2) reserved seats at the ABFF Honors Dinner Gala
  • Two (2) invitations to the ABFF Honors Pre-Reception and After Party

The winner will be selected and contacted no later than February 10, 2017. Participants can enter for a chance to win by visiting the ABFF Honors website at www.ABFFHonors.com and following the directions provided to fill out the entry form and submit.

ABFF Honors will be one of the highlights of the Hollywood Awards season and Black History Month. The event is executive produced by ABFF Ventures founder Jeff Friday, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones for de Passe Jones Entertainment, Jesse Collins for Jesse Collins Entertainment, and Connie Orlando, Stephen G. Hill and Debra Lee for BET Networks.

The 2017 ABFF Honors sponsors are Cadillac and Prudential Financial Services (Red Carpet Partners), Morgan Stanley (Corporate Partner) and Hennessy (Official Spirit Partner).

For more information about the 2017 ABFF Honors, log on to www.ABFFHonors.com. Also, follow us on our social media platforms:

SOCIAL MEDIA:

For media inquiries and to apply for media credentials for the 2017 ABFF Honors, please log on to http://abffhonors.com/media/2017-ABFF-Honors-Credential-Application.pdf.

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. It supports emerging artists to foster a wider range of images, stories and storytellers represented in the entertainment industry. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. Today, the ABFF is recognized as the preeminent pipeline to new Black talent, both in front of and behind the camera, and is regarded as one of the leading film festivals in the world. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content targeted to upscale African American audiences.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS:
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B sted NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks – BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.

ABOUT HILTON WORLDWIDE:
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, comprising more than 4,660 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties with nearly 765,000 rooms in 102 countries and territories. For 96 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company’s portfolio of 13 world-class global brands includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio – A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including preferred pricing, free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

PRESS CONTACTS:
Michelle Huff Elliott
Strategic Heights Media
michelle@strategicheights.com
212-634-7176

Terrece Walker
BET Communications
Terrece.Walker@BET.net
212-205-3264

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Denzel Washington, Issa Rae and F. Gary Gray Confirmed as Honorees at the 2017 “BET Presents The American Black Film Festival Honors”

ACTRESS REGINA HALL TO HOST ANNUAL CEREMONY

Show Tapes Friday, February 17 in Los Angeles and will air on BET Wednesday, February 22 at 8:00PM ET

#ABFFHonors

Los Angeles, CA (January 31, 2017) – ET Networks and The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is proud to present actor and director Denzel Washington with the “Hollywood Legacy Award;” writer, producer and actress Issa Rae with the “Rising Star Award,” and film director and producer F. Gary Gray with the “Excellence in the Arts Award” during this year’s “BET Presents The American Black Film Festival Honors.” The awards gala held February 17 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA will air on BET and Centric, Wednesday, February 22 at 8:00PM ET.

ABFF Honors’ mission is to celebrate Black culture by honoring individuals, movies and television shows that have had a significant impact on American entertainment, as well as the people who are proponents of championing diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. The annual event will be hosted by actress Regina Hall.

This year’s list of honorees includes some of Hollywood’s powerhouses. Denzel Washington is a veteran and iconic figure whose exemplary performances in film and on the stage has been recognized by his peers and loyal fan base. His unforgettable performances have garnered him two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, a Screen Actors Guild Award and countless others. Denzel’s current project, the critically-acclaimed film adaptation of August Wilson’s Fences, in which he produced and directed, also earned him a 2017 Oscar nomination.

Writer, producer and actress, Issa Rae, created her own path by starting out in the online/web space, but has since transitioned to television and is now one of Hollywood’s much-watch talents. Her new show, HBO’s INSECURE, took the world by storm this past year with its ridiculously hilarious punch lines, private rap battles and a killer musical selection. It also earned her, her first Golden Globe nomination for “Best Actress in a TV Comedy or Musical.”

F. Gary Gray has been making moves behind the camera since 1989 and has brought some of today’s most buzzworthy and top box office films to the silver screen. Gray directed his first film, the comedy Friday, at age 24 and has since gone on to direct some of the biggest names in film, including Academy Award-winner Kevin Spacey, Academy Award-nominee Samuel L. Jackson in The Negotiator, Golden Globe-winner Queen Latifah in Set if Off, Academy Award- winner Charlize Theron and Academy Award-nominee Mark Wahlberg in Italian Job and Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winner John Travolta in Be Cool. Up next, he will direct the eighth installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise (The Fate of the Furious).

ABFF Honors will be one of the highlights of the Hollywood Awards season and Black History Month. The event is executive produced by ABFF Ventures founder Jeff Friday, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones for de Passe Jones Entertainment, Jesse Collins for Jesse Collins Entertainment, and Connie Orlando, Stephen G. Hill and Debra Lee for BET Networks.

The 2017 ABFF Honors sponsors are Cadillac and Prudential Financial Services (Red Carpet Partners), Morgan Stanley (Corporate Partner) and Hennessy (Official Spirit Partner).

For more information about the 2017 ABFF Honors, log on to www.ABFFHonors.com. Also, follow us on our social media platforms:

SOCIAL MEDIA:

For media inquiries and to apply for media credentials for the 2017 ABFF Honors, please log on to http://abffhonors.com/media/2017-ABFF-Honors-Credential-Application.pdf.

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. It supports emerging artists to foster a wider range of images, stories and storytellers represented in the entertainment industry. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. Today, the ABFF is recognized as the preeminent pipeline to new Black talent, both in front of and behind the camera, and is regarded as one of the leading film festivals in the world. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content targeted to upscale African American audiences.

For additional information about the festival, visit www.ABFF.com/.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS:
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B sted NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks – BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.

PRESS CONTACTS:
Michelle Huff Elliott
Strategic Heights Media
michelle@strategicheights.com
212-634-7176

Terrece Walker
BET Communications
Terrece.Walker@BET.net
212-205-3264

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ABFF and BET Networks Team Up to Announce the 2017 Television and Movie of the Year Nominees for “BET Presents The American Black Film Festival Honors”

ACTRESS REGINA HALL TO HOST ANNUAL CEREMONY

Show Tapes Friday, February 17 in Los Angeles and will air on BET Wednesday, February 22 at 8:00 PM ET

#ABFFHonors

Los Angeles, CA (January 26, 2017) – Today, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and BET Networks announced the 2017 ABFF Honors television and movie nominees. ABFF Honors is an annual gala saluting excellence in motion pictures and television. Its mission is to celebrate Black culture by recognizing individuals, movies and television shows that have had a significant impact on American entertainment, as well as those who are proponents of championing diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. “BET Presents American Black Film Festival Honors” will tape in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton on Friday, February 17 and will air on BET and Centric, Wednesday, February 22 at 8:00PM ET.

Actress Regina Hall will bring her lively and energetic personality to the stage as host of this year’s annual event. Regina has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most sought after comedic actresses and is well known for her roles in such blockbusters as: Scary Movie, Think Like A Man, When the Bough Breaks, Barber Shop 3 and Universal Pictures’ Girls Trip, to be released June 2017.

This year’s “Movie of the Year” nominees touch on political, social and economic issues. Included are two biopics: one focuses on a Ugandan girl whose world changes after being introduced to the game of chess, and the other tells the story about a group of African-American women who worked with NASA to launch the programs first successful space missions. Another nominee is a period drama based on the story of Nat Turner, an enslaved man who led a slave rebellion. Our final nominees are dramas that deep dives into the concept of choice, decisions and acceptance.

Nominees for “Movie of the Year” are:

  • THE BIRTH OF A NATION (Fox Searchlight)
  • FENCES (Paramount)
  • HIDDEN FIGURES (20th Century Fox)
  • MOONLIGHT (A24)
  • QUEEN OF KATWE (The Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

The “Television Show of the Year” nominees are smart, funny and authentic. From an awkward Black girl who navigates the racy tribulations of modern-day love and friendships and an ambitious college dropout and his cousin, who suddenly becomes a rap star, to a family struggling to gain a sense of cultural identity, a complicated story of three siblings who inherited a sugarcane farm and a night club owner leading a double life as a drug kingpin – television over the past year has been captivating and honest.

Nominees for “Television Show of the Year” are:

  • ATLANTA (FX)
  • BLACK-ish (ABC)
  • INSECURE (HBO)
  • POWER (STARZ)
  • QUEEN SUGAR (OWN)

“We are excited to partner with BET again for the 2017 American Black Film Festival Honors. The show is a crucial platform, highlighting the efforts and successes of African American talent in film and television. This year will celebrate the remarkable works of some of today’s most sought after actors, directors and producers,” says Jeff Friday, ABFF Ventures CEO.

In addition to recognizing the top television shows and films of the year, ABFF Honors will pay tribute to industry legends, along with today’s creative forces, who together inspire the actors and content creators of tomorrow. Honorees to be revealed soon.

The winners of both categories will be determined by the popular vote of the 2017 ABFF Honors Awards Jury, a blue ribbon panel of actors, filmmakers, film critics and entertainment diversity executives, and the general public with public voting scheduled to begin Tuesday, January 26 at ABFFHonors.com/vote. To qualify for movie of the year, the film must have been directed by or feature a person of African descent in the leading role and had a U.S. theatrical release or broadcast premiere on a domestic television network/streaming platform during the 2016 calendar year. To qualify for television show of the year, the scripted television series (comedy or drama) must be created by or feature a person of African descent in the leading role and had a season premiere on a domestic television network or streaming platform during the 2016 calendar year.

ABFF Honors will be one of the highlights of the Hollywood Awards season and Black History Month. The event is executive produced by ABFF Ventures founder Jeff Friday, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones for de Passe Jones Entertainment, Jesse Collins for Jesse Collins Entertainment, and Connie Orlando, Stephen G. Hill and Debra Lee for BET Networks.

The 2017 ABFF Honors sponsors are Cadillac and Prudential Financial Services (Red Carpet Partners) and Hennessy (Official Spirit).

SOCIAL MEDIA:

For media inquiries and to apply for media credentials for the 2017 ABFF Honors, please log on to http://abffhonors.com/contact.html.

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. It supports emerging artists to foster a wider range of images, stories and storytellers represented in the entertainment industry. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. Today, the ABFF is recognized as the preeminent pipeline to new Black talent, both in front of and behind the camera, and is regarded as one of the leading film festivals in the world. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content targeted to upscale African American audiences.

For additional information about the festival, visit www.ABFF.com/.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS:
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B sted NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks – BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.

PRESS CONTACTS:
Michelle Huff Elliott
Strategic Heights Media
michelle@strategicheights.com
212-634-7176

Terrece Walker
BET Communications
Terrece.Walker@BET.net
212-205-3264