HIGHLIGHTS FROM COMPETITIVE AND SPOTLIGHT SCREENINGS, CONVERSATIONS, PANELS AND RED CARPET EVENTS FILLED THE WEEK WITH EXCITING AND INFORMATIVE PROGRAMMING

New York, NY, (June 17, 2019) – The 2019 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) wrapped another successful year of screenings, red carpet events, panels and talent pipeline competitions and welcomed thousands of film enthusiasts, talent and emerging filmmakers. The 23rd annual Festival took place June 12-16 in Miami Beach.

The Festival kicked off with the ABFF Industry Expo, sponsored by AT&T Dream In Black and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau at the host hotel, Loews Miami Beach. Warner Bros. presented the opening night screening of SHAFT at the New World Center – Performance Hall. The star-studded cast of Samuel L. Jackson, Jessie T. Usher, Richard Roundtree, Alexandra Shipp, Lauren Velez and Method Man were all in attendance along with other celebrity guests and filmmakers. ABFF Ventures GM, Nicole Friday, welcomed guests and talent, along with this year’s celebrity ambassador, La La Anthony to the Miami Beach premiere before heading down to the Bass Contemporary Art Museum for a beautiful opening night celebration, hosted by Hilton.

The spotlight films that screened throughout the Festival included three films by Netflix: BEATS, with appearances by cast members Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), Khalil Everage and director Chris Robinson, THE BLACK GODFATHER, the documentary on the unlikely rise of Clarence Avant a music executive who influenced Quincy Jones, Muhammad Ali, Hank Aaron, President Barack Obama and more, with a talkback with director Reginald Hudlin and moderator Roland Martin and the Clips & Conversation discussion for the hit, SEE YOU YESTERDAY, which featured a conversation with Spike Lee and ABFF alum Stefon Bristol, moderated by ABFF Ventures Founder and CEO, Jeff Friday; TV One’s THE BOBBY DEBARGE STORY, starring Roshon Fegan (Greenleaf), OWN’s DAVID MAKES MAN starring Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight), Phylicia Rashad (Empire), and Akil McDowell (Criminal Acitivities) and AMBITIONS with Robin Givens, Essence Atkins, Brian White; IFC’s SHERMAN’S SHOWCASE, featuring a talkback with creators and actors Diallo Riddle (Marlon) and Bashir Salahuddin (Glow); AIDS Health Foundation presented BURDEN, with talent appearances by Nathan Hale (Director) and Nic Few, moderated by Imara Canady; FX’s SNOWFALL screened at the Festival, with panelists Dave Andron (Producer), and cast members Carter Hudson, Amin Joseph, Angela Lewis, Isaiah John, and Michael Hyatt, moderated by Lola Ogunnaike; Sony’s FOR LIFE film, featured a talkback with Isaac Wright (Attorney), George Tillman (director), and Jennifer Turner (SVP, Sony Pictures Television), BET’s FIRST WIVES CLUB showed clips from their new show and discussed behind the scenes with Tracy Oliver (Executive Producer) and Nicq Hale (Producer); truTV’s LAFF MOBB’S LAFF TRACKS, courtesy of WarnerMedia, was hosted by Clayon English, with panelists Rita Brent, Brandon Glover, Joyelle Johnson and Ronnie Jordan; and the social impact showcase, FATHERHOOD: THE FOUNDATION OF THE BLACK FAMILY, was hosted by Omar Epps. Each screening was immediately followed by a Q&A session with members of the cast.

At the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, there were several company activations and talkbacks for attendees to experience: AT&T’s Dream in Black presented a captivating panel with the cast of POWER. Omari Hardwick, Larenz Tate, and the 2019 ABFF Ambassador La La Anthony were on hand to give a behind the scenes look at the hit series. TV One delivered an exciting event with their CELEBRITY SCENE STEALERS table read of Demetria Lucas’ “Don’t Waste Your Pretty,” featuring the talented Roshon Fegan (Greenleaf), Chyna Layne (She’s Gotta Have It), Malinda Williams (Chandler Christmas Getaway), and moderated by Extra’s Tanika Ray. UMC presented the I GOT THE HOOKUP 2: THE LIVEST PANEL YOU EVER ATTENDED with panelists Master P. (Writer/Producer/Cast Member), Romeo Miller (Producer/Cast Member), Cymphonique Miller (Cast Member), Fatboy SSE (Cast Member), Funny Mike (Cast Member), JuJu Casteneda (Cast Member) and Pio La Ditingancia(Cast Member), and moderated by Gia Peppers.

A big attraction for aspiring filmmakers and actors were the many Business of Entertainment panels at ABFF. The line-up included RATE MY MOVIE: A CONVERSATION WITH THE LEADERS BEHIND MPAA’s FILM RATINGSwith Marilyn Gordon (Chairman of the Advertising Administration and Vice-Chairperson of CARA), Yulia Dashevsky (Deputy Chairman of the Advertising Administration), and Kelly McMahon (Chairman of the Classification and Rating Administration (CARA), with directors and ABFF alums Qasim Basir, Storm Saulter and Deniese Davis from Issa Rae Productions/Color Creative, moderated by John Gibson, (VP, External & Multicultural Affairs at MPAA); SPOTIFY PRESENTS: BLACK HISTORY IS HAPPENING NOW: A CONVERATION WITH MARSAI MARTIN, was moderated by Essence Magazine’s Danielle Young; THE ART OF DIRECTING panel, sponsored by Capital One Spark Business, discussed deconstructed scenes from blockbuster films with directors Malcolm D. Lee (Night School), Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II), George Tillman Jr. (The Hate You Give) and Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You), moderated by Black Film’s Wilson Morales.

Other notable business entertainment panels included the Warner Bros. SEE YOURSELF IN THE WORK WE DO panel with Nafessa Williams (Black Lightning), Kofi Siriboe (Queen Sugar), D. Harris-Lawrence (David Makes Man Showrunner), Odetta Watkins (SVP of WBTV) and Kevin E. Fortson(EVP, Production Warner Horizon Television), moderated by Essence Magazine’s Cori Murray; EQUIP YOUR PITCH, sponsored by Verizon Media, highlighted ways to develop and pitch stories for multiple platforms with Caroline Christoper, Brittany Jones-Cooper and Roger Bobb, moderated by Ramces Jean-Louis; MY JOURNEY FROM ABFF TO THE CLAWS WRITING ROOM: THE CINDERFELLA STORY OF 2017 ABFF AWARD WINNER DARRIN DORTCH, included panelists Janine Sherman Barrois(Showrunner) Eliot Laurence (Executive Producer), and Darrin Dortch,(Writer), moderated by Jennifer Williams (Director, Global Inclusion & Diversity, Turner People Development); CASTING: ILLUMINATING THE PROCESS, presented by BET, included Robi Reed (VP of Talent and Casting, BET Networks) and actors Sinqua Walls and Sarunas Jackson and moderated by Yvette Nicole Brown.

Every year, the Festival’s panels are a big hit and this year was no different: the ABOUT WOMEN panel, sponsored by Accenture and Hilton, featured an in-depth discussion with industry tastemakers Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip), La La Anthony (Power), Iyanla Vanzant (Iyanla: Fix My Life), and Connie Orlando (EVP Head of Programming, BET Networks); The HOT IN HOLLYWOODpanel, presented by American Airlines, included the very talented Damson Idris (Snowfall), Damarsis Lewis (BlacKkKlansman), Lil Rel (Uncle Drew) and Marsai Martin (Little). Cadillac sponsored the KEEP RISING KEYNOTE CONVERSATION, an up close and personal discussion with Sanaa Lathan on her road to success, which was moderated by her long time friend and collaborator, director Malcolm D. Lee; NBCUniveral presented THE COME UP: A CONVERSATION WITH THE STARS OF NBC panel featured discussions with stars from various NBC hit series stars including Yaya Decosta (Chicago Med), Ego Nwodim (SNL), Niles Fitch (This is Us) Jocko Sims (New Amsterdam) and LaRoyce Hawkins (Chicago P.D.), THE STORY BEHIND THE MUSIC WITH SONGLANDS ESTER DEAN panel included an intimate conversation with Ester Dean (Pitch Perfect, NBC’s Songland) and Chrissie Fit (Pitch Perfect 2 & 3), as well as the BRAVO MEDIA PRESENTS: FAMILIES & BLACK LOVE panel included a conversation on love, family, and relationships with reality stars Porsha Williams (Real Housewives of Atlanta), Karen Huger (The Real Housewives of Potomac), and Dr. Jacqueline Waters(Married to Medicine) and his informative panel was moderated by Cori Murray, Entertainment Director for Essence Magazine; Sony Pictures Entertainment sponsored the BEYOND THE SPIDER-VERSE: WHAT’S NEXT FOR SONY PICTURES ANIMATION panel and presented a look at what made the Academy Award-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse a global hit. Panelists included Academy award-winner Peter Ramsey (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), Matthew A. Cherry (Hair Love) and moderated by Karen Toliver (Senior Vice President of Creative for Sony Pictures Animation).

Additional ABFF Talks for film and music enthusiasts included the ABFF SOUND LAB: MUSIC + FILM, a discussion about music, film, and the leverage and opportunities artists have when crossing over into film and television, with Bryan Smiley (Sony), Cassandra Butcher (Bron Studios), Leah Daniels Butler (Casting Director), Cameron Mitchell, Max Gousse (CEO, Artistry Music Group, WMG), and moderated by Shawn Finnie (Associate Director of Membership Relations and Outreach, Academy of Motion Pictures). This panel was sponsored by Crown Royal, programmed in association with Artistry-Curated by Media; The Facebook-sponsored BLACK MAGIC AND THE POWER OF DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING panel was comprised of panelists Jacqueline Olive (Always in Season) and Michelle Materre (Black Women in Medicine), moderated by Terri Prettyman Bowles and Michelle

The Master Class Series, presented by Prudential Financial, provided opportunities for attendees to acquire knowledge on several facets of business entertainment, including MAKING THE DEAL- KNOWING WHAT MATTERS, a class conducted by entertainment lawyers Lisa Davis, Marcie Cleary, and Sean Jefferson from Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz; PRODUCING FILM AND TELEVISION with Datari Turner, Producer (Shut Up and Dribble; A Boy. A Girl. A Dream) was an informative session for attendees; the WRITING FOR TELEVISION class was led by Karen Horne (SVP of Programming, Talent Development & Inclusion for NBC Entertainment and Universal Television Studios) with guest Kay Oyegun (This Is Us).

Founding and Presenting Sponsor HBO presented interactive events including “ASK HBO” SESSIONS with panelists Kalia Booker (Director, Drama, Programming), Robert Patla (Manager Talent Development), Gena Desclos(Post-production), Natasha Foster-Owens (VP, Production), Jackie Glover(SVP, HBO Docs), Kelly Edwards (SVP, Talent Development) and Amy Hodge(VP, Comedy Programming); TRUE JUSTICE: A CONVERSATION WITH BRYAN STEVENSON was an exclusive conversation with Alabama public interest attorney, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative; and the HBO POV: CREATORS MIXER, an interactive session hosted by creators behind some of HBO’s biggest titles where attendees networked and mingled with other creators.

Networking opportunities for attendees and filmmakers included the ABFF PASSHOLDER LOUNGE, sponsored by American Airlines featured happy hour cocktails by Crown Royal, COCKTAILS, CONVERSATIONS & FINANCIAL FACTS, hosted by Prudential Financial with panelists Victoria Rowell (The Young & the Restless) and Affion Crockett (Undercover Brother 2).

To tickle your funny, the ABFF COMEDY WINGS COMPETITION, presented by HBO, is always a hit. Hosted by Deon Cole, five aspiring comedians fought for the title of ‘winner’ in front of a sold-out audience and Baltimore native Ty Davis took home the top prize.

The ABFF INDUSTRY EXPO was a heavily anticipated event. The expo included exhibits hosted by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, AT&T Dream in Black, Warner Bros., HBO, The DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainement (OCTFME), Comcast NBCUniversal, Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment, Fulton Films, Arrington & Phillips, LLP and Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

After days of screenings, events, panels and conversations, ABFF knows how to keep the party going, including the LEGENDARY WHITE PARTY at Nikki Beach, with music by DJ D-Nice, the “29 Below” Mixer, presented by AT&T Dream in Black and the “BEST OF ABFF” closing night party at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, with music by DJ M.O.S. and DJ Kiss.

ABFF continues to support and provide programming for the community, with its ‘Coffee Talks’ and annual Community Day Showcase. Capital One Spark Business presented a Coffee Talk Series with intimate conversations with celebrities discussing hot topics in Hollywood, moderated by The Grio’s Cortney Wills. Guests included Jacob Latimore, LisaRaye McCoy, and Disney and Pixar animators Aphton Corbin and Michael Yates from TOY STORY 4. ABFF COMMUNITY DAY, sponsored by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) and held at The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater. The day was filled with entertainment curated for family audiences and the program included a conversation with director and ABFF alum Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II), and a screening of short films created by Miami-based student filmmakers and films selected from the Festival’s Social Impact Showcase.

All films in competition, screened their films to an eager audience at the Regal Cinemas South Beach 18 & IMAX, with Q&A’s immediately following with the producers, director and cast.

ABFF always recognizes the accomplishments of the next generation of filmmakers at their annual awards presentation. Actress Erica Ash (Uncle Drew) hosted the “Best of ABFF” Awards at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, with a musical performance by Jacob Latimore (The Chi). In memory of John Singleton, founding member of the ABFF Advisory Board and friend, the Festival created “The John Singleton Best First Feature” Award to be presented to an aspiring filmmaker, beginning at next year’s Festival, and was announced by his daughter Justice Singleton. A screening of Boyz n The Hood screened on Saturday evening to close out the Festival screening schedule. To cap off the Festival week, for the first time ever, a woman, Numa Perrier, won the Jury Award for Best Director, presented by Cadillac, for her film, Jezebel. ABFF history was made!

The 2020 American Black Film Festival will be held in Miami Beach from June 17-21, 2020.

Here is the full list of the 2019 American Black Film Festival Winners:

2019 ABFF WINNER’S LIST

Audience Award – Best Narrative Feature (presented by BET Networks: Prize: $10,000)
All In directed by Ibrahim Yilla

Jury Award – Best Narrative Feature (presented by Prudential Financial; Prize: $5,000)
Jezebel directed by Numa Perrier

Jury Award – Best Web Series (presented by Verizon Media; Prize: $2,500)
Little Apple directed by Riley S. Wilson

ABFF HBO Short Film (Prize: $10,000 for winner; $5,000 for finalists)
CAP written and directed by Marshall Tyler

Jury Award – Best Screenplay (presented by ABFF; Prize: $2,500)
Strive written by Piper Dellums and Sha-Risse Smith

Jury Award – Best Documentary (presented by ABFF; Prize $2,500)
One Child Left Behind by Jodi Gomes

Jury Award – Best Performance by a Lead Actor (presented by AT&T Dream in Black; Prize: $2,500)
Essence Atkins in Same Difference

Jury Award – Best Director (presented by Cadillac; Prize: $5,000)
Numa Perrier, Jezebel

Star Project
Alexis Damita

Comedy Wings (Presented by HBO)
Ty Davis

NBC Hosting Workshop Top Performers
Jazmin Bailey, Dennis Pastrorizo, Jasmine Styles, Krystal Vega

WarnerMedia truTV/Comedy
Kim and Domonic Smith-Weston

WarnerMedia Writing Contest TNT/Drama
Darnell Brown

WarnerMedia Writing Contest TBS/Comedy
Claytia Gonsalves

The Sponsors for the 2019 American Black Film Festival are: HBO^® (Founding & Presenting); BET, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cadillac, Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting Sponsors); AT&T Dream in Black, Capital One Spark Business, Hilton, Prudential Financial, WarnerMedia (Premier Sponsors); AMC, American Airlines, Crown Royal, Motion Picture Association of American (MPAA), Netflix, Sony Pictures, TV One (Official Sponsors); Accenture, AspireTV, Facebook, FX, Gentleman Jack, Miami Beach Visitors & Convention Authority, OWN, Spotify, truTV, UMC, Verizon Media, Warner Bros. (Supporting Sponsors); ABC, BLACC and initiative of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment, Arrington & Phillip’s LLP – Attorneys at Law, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment, Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC, IFC, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner & Gellman Law Firm, SAGindie, Walter Kaitz Foundation, Walt Disney (Industry Partners); Black Enterprise, Blackfilm.com, Essence, theGrio.com, and Invest Atlanta (Media Partners).

---

ABFF Social Media Platforms:

• Twitter: @ABFF
• Facebook: American Black Film Festival
• Instagram: @AmericanBlackFilmFestival
• YouTube: American Black Film Festival
• Hashtags: #ABFF19, #WeAreABFF

---

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to empowering black artists and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Committed to the belief that diverse artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts, ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to strengthen the black filmmaking community by encouraging resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration. He ultimately envisioned it as a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood. ABFF is the pre-eminent pipeline for black artists in front of and behind the camera and has significantly expanded the range of talent working in entertainment. For more than two decades the festival has been a platform for emerging black artists — premiering the early work and showcasing the talent of many of today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians. As “the nation’s largest gathering of black film and television enthusiasts” the festival attracts a broad audience of A-list talent, emerging artists, upscale consumers and industry stakeholders. Approximately 7,000 to 10,000 people travel to Miami Beach each year for the event. The five-day festival opens with the premiere of an upcoming Hollywood release followed by independent film screenings, master classes, panels, celebrity talks, live entertainment, and a variety of networking and hospitality events.

---

PRESS CONTACT:

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

Festival Presents Capital One Spark Business “Coffee Talks” As Free Community Event

Festival takes place June 12-16 in Miami Beach

Los Angeles, CA, (June 6, 2019) – The 23rd annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF), in partnership with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), will close out its Festival with the annual Community Day Showcase on Sunday, June 16, 2019 at the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theatre, located in Overtown. The day includes a screening of films selected from the Festival’s Social Impact Showcase, a conversation with Steven Caple, Jr., and a collection of short films created by Miami based student filmmakers.

The ABFF Community Day has been an essential component of the Festival, as it provides the local South Florida community access to some of the talent and films that screened throughout the week. The day will include the following short film compilation from the Festival’s Social Impact Showcase. This year’s slate focuses on the narrative of Black Fathers and highlights the importance of their presence and contribution to the Black Family. Screenings will be followed by a Q& A with the film directors, moderated by Vanessa James and the lineup includes Amelia’s Closet, Training Wheels and Worlds from Home. An intimate conversation with filmmaker Steven Caple, Jr., the director of Creed II, will be moderated by Russell Motely, Editor-in-Chief of MIA and Legacy Magazine.

This event also provides a platform for local and student filmmakers from the Florida Filmhouse’s 1st Take Youth Film Program to showcase their films for the community. This quarterly film camp is dedicated to teaching the underprivileged youth a career and life skills through hands-on coaching from Florida Film House. The program has become an outlet for at-risk youth to express their creativity, tell the stories of their community, flip the narrative, stay off the streets, as well as gain perspective to dream beyond the limited opportunities provided to them. Student films screening this year will be Battle of Love, Intimacy (into-me-see), The Silence of Being Bullied, and Crimes & Charges.

“We are happy to partner again with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitor Bureau team to expand the American Black Film Festival’s program into the Miami community. We hope the event will entertain and inspire people, particularly the young, who have ambitions of working in film & television,” says Jeff Friday, Founder & CEO of ABFF Ventures.

“The ABFF/GMCVB Community Day event is the grand finale to the Festival’s stellar line-up of screenings and workshops and provides an extraordinary opportunity for visitors and residents of the South Florida community to celebrate black film and entertainment. “We are delighted to be a partner of this event and it is a perfect and unique Father’s Day outing for the family as well,” says William D. Talbert, III CDME, President & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB).

“It is important that we highlight and promote all of Miami to our visitors and Festival attendees. We are excited about the annual celebration and looking forward to the film screenings scheduled at the Lyric Theater located in historic Overtown. We commend Nicole and Jeff Friday, along with the leadership team of ABFF, for their commitment to diversity by extending the Festival, as well as bringing films, celebrity buzz and additional local business engagement opportunities into our Heritage communities,” states Connie Kinnard, Vice President, Multicultural Tourism & Development of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB).

In addition to Community Day, Capital One Spark Business will host “Coffee Talks,” a special and up-close conversation with celebrities and industry experts who will discuss hot topics in Hollywood and how to pursue careers in the music, film and television. The talks are moderated by The Grio’s, Cortney Wills. The Capital One Café will be open to the public June 13-15 from 10am – 1pm and from 3pm – 6pm. The “Coffee Talks” schedule is as follows:

• Thursday, June 13: 1pm – 2pm with actress LisaRaye McCoy
• Friday, June 14: 1pm – 2pm with singer and actor Jacob Latimore
• Saturday, June 15: 1pm – 2pm with Disney’s Pixar Animation Studios artists Michael Yates and Aphton Corbin

For a full listing of panels and screenings coming to the 2019 American Black Film Festival, please continue to go to the website and also download the American Black Film Festival app TODAY on Apple and Google Play for Festival updates.

ABFF remains committed to introducing emerging content creators of African descent to the industry at large and is recognized as one of the leading film festivals in the world. Passes and tickets are available at www.abff.com and provide access to film screenings and events. Questions regarding registration may be directed to [email protected].

The Sponsors for the 2019 American Black Film Festival are: HBO® (Founding & Presenting); BET, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cadillac, Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting Sponsors); Dream in Black | AT&T, Capital One Spark Business, Hilton, Prudential Financial, WarnerMedia (Premier Sponsors); AMC, American Airlines, Crown Royal, Motion Picture Association of American (MPAA), Netflix, Sony, TV One (Official Sponsors); Accenture, AspireTV, Facebook, FX, Gentleman Jack, Miami Beach Visitors & Convention Authority, OWN, Spotify, truTV, UMC, Verizon Media, Warner Bros. (Supporting Sponsors); ABC, BLACC and initiative of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment, Arrington & Phillip’s LLP – Attorneys at Law, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment, Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC, IFC, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner & Gellman Law Firm, SAGindie, Walter Kaitz Foundation, Walt Disney (Industry Partners); Black Enterprise, Blackfilm.com, Essence, theGrio.com, and Invest Atlanta (Media Partners).

---

ABFF Social Media Platforms:

• Twitter: @ABFF
• Facebook: American Black Film Festival
• Instagram: @AmericanBlackFilmFestival
• YouTube: American Black Film Festival
• Hashtags: #ABFF19, #WeAreABFF

---

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to empowering black artists and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Committed to the belief that diverse artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts, ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to strengthen the black filmmaking community by encouraging resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration. He ultimately envisioned it as a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood. ABFF is the pre-eminent pipeline for black artists in front of and behind the camera and has significantly expanded the range of talent working in entertainment. For more than two decades the festival has been a platform for emerging black artists — premiering the early work and showcasing the talent of many of today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians. As “the nation’s largest gathering of black film and television enthusiasts” the festival attracts a broad audience of A-list talent, emerging artists, upscale consumers and industry stakeholders. Approximately 7,000 to 10,000 people travel to Miami Beach each year for the event. The five-day festival opens with the premiere of an upcoming Hollywood release followed by independent film screenings, master classes, panels, celebrity talks, live entertainment, and a variety of networking and hospitality events.

ABOUT THE GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU (GMCVB):
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is an accredited not-for-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches for leisure, business, and conventions. For a vacation guide, visit our website at www.MiamiandBeaches.com or call 1.888.76. Miami (US/Canada only) or 305.447.7777. To reach the GMCVB offices dial 305.539.3000. Meeting planners may call 1.800.933.8448 (US/Canada only) or 305.539.3071 or visit www.MiamiMeetings.com. To get further engaged with Miami and the Beaches, join the conversation by following us on our social media channels at Facebook.com/visitmiami, Twitter.com/miamiandbeaches, Instagram.com/miamiandbeaches & Pinterest.com/miamiandbeaches.

---

PRESS CONTACT:

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

Yvette Harris
Harris Public Relations
[email protected]
786-897-8854

Emerging and established filmmakers bring innovative storytelling and diverse perspective to the festival lineup

The annual festival takes place June 12-16 in Miami Beach

Los Angeles, CA, (May 10, 2019) – The 23rd Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is excited to announce their distinctive 2019 lineup of narrative features, documentaries and short films in competition. Films are set to screen in Miami from June 13-15 at the Regal Cinemas South Beach and the New World Center.

Adhering to its mission of providing a platform for diverse voices in cinema, the festival is set to showcase 25+ films and web series to a record number of attendees through its narrative, documentary, web series and HBO^® Short Film Competition. The slate will boast an array of genre’s surrounding the black diaspora and feature a multitude of emerging and veteran filmmakers. Each of this year’s selections tackle topical issues including, survival, violence, parenthood, health, love, forgiveness, mental illness and friendship. These stories continue to illustrate the Festival’s commitment in being the cornerstone for emerging content creators of color, as well as highlight empowering stories pertinent to today’s society.

The winners of each category will be announced during the “Best of ABFF” Awards, presented by Dream in Black | AT&T, on the evening of Saturday, June 15th at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. The nominees for Best Director, Best Narrative Feature, Best Actor and Best Screenplay will be announced on Friday, May 17th.

The complete list of films in competition at the 23rd Annual American Black Film Festival is listed below:

NARRATIVE FEATURES
The following films are the 2019 official selections in the Narrative Features category. Films in this category are eligible to be nominated for the following Jury Awards – Best Director (presented by Cadillac, prize is $5,000), Best Narrative Feature (presented by Prudential Financial, prize is $5,000), Best Actor (presented by AT&T), and Best Screenplay (prize is $2,500). In addition, each film will compete for the ABFF Audience Award (presented by BET Networks, prize is $10,000).

All films in this section will screen at the Regal Cinemas 18 Theater June 13 – June 15.

#TRUTH

2019 | USA | 105 min
Directed & Written by: Charles Murray
Produced by: Jackie Stone
Cast: Dorian Missick, Simone Missick, Michael Beach, Terrell Tilford, Victoria Platt
Logline: After a journalists’ cousin commits suicide, he investigates what caused her to take her life and the people he believes are responsible.

ALL IN (World Premiere)

2018 | USA | 105 min
Directed by: Ibrahim Yilla
Written by: Tressa Azarel Smallwood, Iman Smallwood, Leslie Allen
Produced by: Kia Freeman, Gregory Freeman, Tressa Azarel Smallwood, Audrea Topps-Harjo
Cast: Niatia “Lil Mama” Kirkland, Elise Neal, Robert Christopher Riley, Lyric Hurd, Lena Anthony, Jim Jones, Traci Braxton
Logline: A dysfunctional single mother gets pulled back into a life of crime while trying to make a better future for her three children.
Website: www.megamindmedia.net

HIS, HERS & THE TRUTH (World Premiere)

2018 | USA | 90 min
Directed & Written by: Coke Daniels
Produced by: Vanzil Burke, Victor Burke, Cristina Davis, Errol Sadler
Cast: Brad James, Ashley A. Williams, Terri J. Vaughn, Dorien Wilson, Cocoa Brown Dawn Halfkenny, Duane Finley, Kaye Singleton, Edsel Love Patterson, Shacai O’Neal, Karon Riley, Erin Elizabeth Feest

Logline: Alan and Tanya have been acquaintances for years, but have yet to become romantically involved, until now.
Website: https://hishersthetruth.com

IF NOT NOW, WHEN? (World Premiere)

2019 | USA | 126 min

Directed by: Meagan Good, Tamara Bass

Written by: Tamara Bass

Produced by: Meagan Good, Tamara Bass, Sway Calloway, LaMyia Good, Datari Turner

Cast: Meagan Good, Meagan Holder, Mekia Cox, Tamara Bass, Valarie Pettiford

Logline: A story about love, forgiveness, sisterhood and second chances.

Website: www.krazyactressproductions.com

JEZEBEL

2018 |USA | 88 min

Directed & Written by: Numa Perrier

Produced by: Numa Perrier, Winter Dunn, Dwayne Dugger II

Cast: Tiffany Tenille, Numa Perrier, Stephen Barrington, Bobby Field, Brett Gelman

Logline: In the last days of her mother’s life, 19-year old Tiffany crashes with five family members in a Las Vegas studio apartment. In order to make ends meet, her older sister, a phone sex operator, introduces her to the world of internet fetish cam girls.

Website: www.thejezebelmovie.com

JUSTINE

2018 | USA | 106 min

Directed & Written by: Stephanie Turner

Produced by: Angie Edgar, Louise Shore, Stephanie Turner, Glynn Turman

Cast: Glynn Turman, Stephanie Turner, Darby Stanchfield, Josh Stamberg, Cleo King, Bridget Kallal, Ravi Cabot-Conyers

Logline: A single mom of two takes a job as a nanny to an 8-year old girl with spina bifida. At first an unlikely pair, the two end up helping one another overcome personal obstacles.

Website: justinethemovie.com

LOVE DOT COM – THE SOCIAL EXPERIMENT (World Premiere)

2019 | USA | 98 min

Directed by: Charneice Fox

Written by: Charneice Fox, Michelle Sewell

Produced by: BK Fulton, Jacquelyn E. Stone, Monty Ross, Michele Lopez, Kimberly C. Gaines, Charneice Fox

Cast: Brave Williams, Tobias Truvillion, Kym Whitley, LisaRae McCoy, Charles Malik Whitfield, Wes Felton Raheem DeVaughn, Christopher Williams

Logline: A vegan chef with a broken heart and an exhausted budget finds love face to face but opts for technology to make the final decision.

Website: www.lovedotcomthemovie.com

PERFECTLY SINGLE

2019 | USA | 99 min

Directed & Written by: Van Elder

Produced by: Van Elder, Jela Okpara

Cast: Erica Hubbard, Torrei Hart, Dominique Perry, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Omar Gooding

Logline: A quirky and successful optometrist in the twilight of her life turns to her friends for help in finding social fulfillment, but she has ignored one particular place…Within.

PRINCESS OF THE ROW

2018 | USA | 85 min

Directed by: Van Maximilian Carlson

Written by: Van Maximilian Carlson, A. Shawn Austin

Produced by: A. Shawn Austin

Cast: Tayler Buck, Edi Gathegi, Ana Ortiz, Jacob Vargas and Martin Sheen

Logline: The inspiring tale of a runaway foster child who will stop at nothing to live with the only family she knows: her father… a homeless mentally ill veteran who lives on the streets of LA’s Skid Row.

Website: www.facebook.com/PrincessOfTheRowMovie

SAME DIFFERENCE (World Premiere)

2019 | USA | 88 min

Directed & Written by: Derege Harding

Produced by: Datari Turner

Cast: Essence Atkins, Terrence Jenkins, Edwina Findley, Demetrius Shipp, Jr., Melvin Gregg, Ginger Gonzaga, Page Kennedy, Kandi Burruss, Affion Crockett, Lew Temple

Logline: As Tonya Keating grapples with the innate knowledge that her death is imminent, she is compelled to let go of the past and reconcile with her estranged twin sister.

STRIVE

2018 | USA | 82 min
Directed by: Robert Rippberger
Written by: Piper Dellums, Sha-Risse Smith
Produced by: Robert Rippberger, Ace Salvador, Hiroki Kamada, Piper Dellums, Scott M. Rosenfelt, Tobias Deml
Cast: Joie Campbell, Ricky Flowers Jr., Chelsea Williams, Danny Glover, Shaylin Becton
Logline: A teenager from the projects in Harlem aims to get into Yale, but must push against the world holding her back.

UNA GREAT MOVIE

2018 | USA/MEXICO | 102 min

Directed & Written by: Jennifer Sharp

Produced by: Jennifer Sharp, Matthew Morgan

Cast: JoNell Kennedy, Numa Perrier, Jose Casasús, Jake Olson

Logline: A beautiful diverse movie about a black American in Mexico, slowly becomes a romantic comedy with an all-white cast.

Website: www.unagreatmovie.com

DOCUMENTARIES
The following films are the 2019 official selections in the Documentary category. Each film will compete for the Jury Award Best Documentary, presented by ABFF, prize is $2,500.

All films in this section will screen at the Regal Cinemas 18 Theater June 13 – June 15.

BUCKJUMPING

2018 | USA | 70 min

Directed by: Lily Keber

Produced by: Lily Keber, Stephen Rose

Principal Subject(s): Mia X, Mannie Fresh, Ausettua AmorAmenkum, Nicholas Payton, DJ Jubilee

Logline: Buckjumping follows six dancing communities as they demonstrate ownership of the streets of New Orleans, commemorate their dead, forge community and find spiritual transcendence.

Website: buckjumping.com

CHICAGO AT THE CROSSROAD (World Premiere)

2018 | USA | 83 min

Directed by: Brian Schodorf

Written by: Brian Schodorf, Afrika Porter

Produced by: Malik Yusef, Afrika Porter, Nathan Weber, Brian Schodorf, Burundi Partlow, Randy Crumpton, Malachi Gross

Principal Subject(s): Malik Yusef, Leonard GLC Harris, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Father Michael Pfleger, Arne Duncan

Logline: Where did Chicago go wrong? Chicago at the Crossroad tells the story of a city caught in the aftermath of a policy of mass displacement shaded by a long history of segregation.

Website: https://www.chicagoatthecrossroad.com

ONE CHILD LEFT BEHIND: THE UNTOLD ATLANTA CHEATING SCANDAL

2018 | USA | 87 min

Directed & Written by: Jodi Gomes

Produced by: Jodi Gomes, Anthony McLemore, Ladawn Jones, Marsha Hallager

Principal Subject(s): Dana Evans, Tamara Cotman, Christopher Waller, Diane Ravitch, Lamar Waldron
Logline: In 2009, 1,176 Atlanta teachers were investigated for test cheating; 35 were indicted, 12 went to trial and 11 were found guilty on RICO charges. The guilty, serving 30-year sentences, finally break their silence in this tell-all film.

Website: www.onechildleftbehindmovie.com

THE TAKEOVER: THE REVOLUTION OF THE BLACK EXPERIENCE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (World Premiere)

2018 | USA | 62 min

Directed by: Eric D. Seals

Written by: Donnie Seals Jr.

Produced by: Brittany Applegate

Principal Subject(s): Daphne Maxwell Reid, Kathryn Ogletree, Clovis Semmes, Michael Wilbon, Harry Lennix

Logline: In 1968, more than 100 black Northwestern students took over the school’s Bursar’s Office for 38 hours to demand equal rights.

Website: digife.com/TheTakeover

VISION PORTRAITS

2019 | USA/CANADA/GERMANY | 78 min

Directed & Written by: Rodney Evans

Produced by: Rodney Evans, Rob Wunder

Principal Subject(s): Rodney Evans, John Dugdale, Kayla Hamilton and Ryan Knighton

Logline: A documentary that chronicles the creative paths of blind and visually impaired artists including a photographer, dancer, writer and the film’s director.

Website: www.rodneyevansfilm.com

HBO^® SHORT FILMS
The following films are the 2019 official selections in the HBO® Short Film Competition, now in its 22nd year. Each film in this category will compete for the ABFF’s HBO® Short Film Award, prize is $10,000 for the winner and $5,000 for each of the finalists. The 22nd Annual HBO® Short Film Competition is on Thursday, June 13 at 6 p.m. Hosted by Bevy Smith (Page Six TV), the competition will be held in the New World Center – Performance Hall. The winner will be announced during the “Best of the ABFF” Awards Presentation on Saturday, June 15 at 9 p.m.

CAP (World Premiere)

2019 | USA | 16 min

Directed & Written by: Marshall Tyler

Produced by: Moira Griffin, Marshall Tyler

Cast: Medina Senghore, Tunde Adebimpe, Dusan Brown

Logline: 15-year-old Manny Bennitt learns the hard way the price of being cool.

EVELYN X EVELYN

2018 | USA | 13 min

Directed & Written by: Eric Pumphrey

Produced by: Angelo Pullen, Tommy Savas, Luke Baybak, Jenna Johnson, Judy Craig

Cast: Natalie Paul, Jocko Sims

Logline: Grief can be overwhelming for just us to tackle alone.

FLIGHT

2018 | JAMAICA | 13 min

Directed by: Kia Moses, Adrian McDonald

Written by: Kia Moses

Produced by: Tashara-Lee Johnson

Cast: Rohiem Phillips, Craig Robinson, Jermaine ‘Zbek’ Nelson, Danielo Reid, Akalia Golding, Christopher McKoy

Logline: A Jamaican boy sets out on a dream, ten times his size, to fly to the moon, despite his circumstances and father’s opposition.

THE FISHERMAN

2018 | GHANA | 15 min

Directed & Written by: Zoey Martinson

Produced by: Kofi Owusu Afriyie, Zoey Martinson

Cast: Ziggy Netteyson, Kiki-Romi, Elizabeth Nortey

Logline: An aging fisherman goes out to sea one day and returns with a talking fish.

Website: www.thefishermanshortfilm.com

WEDNESDAY (World Premiere)

2018 | USA | 13 min

Directed by: Daniel Willis

Written by: Jessica D. Shields

Produced by: Melina Lizette, Mariyam Mahbub

Cast: Mychala Lee, Chene Lawson

Logline: Recently homeless and living in a car with her mother, a teenage girl commits a reckless act, desperate to rescue a vestige of their former life.

Website: www.facebook.com/wednesdayshortfilm/

WEB SERIES
The following are the 2019 official selections in the Web Series category. Each film will compete for the jury award Best Web Series, presented by Verizon Media.

All films in this section will screen at the Regal Cinemas 18 Theater June 13 – June 15.

BLACK GIRLS GUIDE TO FERTILITY

2018 | USA | 20 min

Directed by: Crystle Roberson

Written by: Sonhara Eastman

Produced by: Sonhara Eastman, Ronald Eastman II, Carmen K. Jones

Cast: Raney Branch, Monyetta Shaw, Ali Amin Carter, Cindy Jefferson, Nicky Buggs, Jamir Vega

Logline: Ava is a 37-year-old romance novelist who faded into obscurity after finding love-and now finds herself on the rise again after self-publishing a diary detailing her fertility woes.

Website: http://www.blackgirlsguidetofertility.com

KING ESTER (World Premiere)

2018 | USA | 20 min

Directed & Written by: Dui Jarrod

Produced by: Angelica Ross, Caralene Robinson, Ryan Robertson, Jon Mallow

Cast: DeJaye Joseph, Angelica Ross, Janet Hubert, Dane Edidi, Martin L. Bradford, Lindsey G. Smith, LJ Scott, Roland Lane, Omar Washington

Logline: A bold-living trans woman must decide whether to stay or leave New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina approaches.

Website: www.kingester.com

LITTLE APPLE

2018 | USA | 14 min

Directed & Written by: Riley S. Wilson

Produced by: Riley S. Wilson, Lisa Cortes, Okema T. Moore, Angel Lenise

Cast: Apple Montague, Milan Williams, Charlene Montague, Gabrielle Eitienne

Logline: For Apple, a 9-year-old Harlem girl, a new school year brings new enemies, new special abilities and a new neighborhood in the midst of natural and supernatural conflict.

Website: www.LittleAppleTheSeries.com

OTIS

2018 | USA | 20 min

Directed & Written by: Alexander Etseyatse

Produced by: Ebony Lewis, Lily Johnson

Cast: Alexander Etseyatse, Dwinsley Homere, Keithen Hergott, Murray Adams

Logline: A mentally unstable young man struggles to win his old life back.

Website: anAEfilm.com

PLATONIC

2018 | USA | 13 min

Directed by: Winter Dunn

Written by: Moni Oyedepo

Produced by: Arielle Noel, Moni Oyedepo

Cast: Moni Oyedepo, Chinedu Unaka, Adriyan Rae, Ego Nwodim

Logline: Platonic is the story of two friends who overlook their “mild” attraction to each other for the good of the friendship.

Website: platonictheseries.com

TALES FROM THE BIG APPLE (World Premiere)

2018 | NIGERIA | 12 min

Directed & Written by: Victor Okoye Frank (Victor O’Frank)

Produced by: Mina Sanosi

Cast: Emmanuel Ogonna, Abdulazeem Dulo Harris, Andrea-Rachel Parker

Logline: Emeka is new to the big apple, does he have what it takes to survive the big city?

For a full listing of panels and screenings coming to the 2019 American Black Film Festival, please continue to go to the website and also download the American Black Film Festival app TODAY on Apple and Google Play for Festival updates.

ABFF remains committed to introducing emerging content creators of African descent to the industry at large and is recognized as one of the leading film festivals in the world. Passes are on sale at www.abff.com, and offer five (5) different levels of access to Festival events. Registration ends May 22nd for discounted rates and questions regarding registration may be directed to [email protected].

Sponsors of the 2019 American Black Film Festival are HBO^® (Founding and Presenting Sponsor); BET Networks, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), Comcast NBCUniversal, Cadillac (Presenting Sponsors); Dream in Black | AT&T, Capital One Spark Business, Hilton, Prudential Financial, WarnerMedia (Premier Sponsors); AMC Theatres, American Airlines, Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Netflix, Sony, TV One (Official Sponsors); Accenture, AspireTV, Crown Royal, Facebook, Gentleman Jack, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, OWN, Spotify, truTV, UMC, UrbanFlix, Verizon Media, Warner Bros. (Supporting Sponsors); ABC, AIDS Health Foundation, Arrington & Phillip’s – Attorneys at Law, Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment, Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner & Gellman Law Firm, Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, IFC Networks, SAGindie (Industry Partners) and Black Enterprise, Blackfilm.com, Invest Atlanta, TheGrio.com (Media Partners).

---

ABFF Social Media Platforms:

• Twitter: @ABFF
• Facebook: American Black Film Festival
• Instagram: @AmericanBlackFilmFestival
• YouTube: American Black Film Festival
• Hashtags: #ABFF19, #WeAreABFF

---

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to empowering black artists and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Committed to the belief that diverse artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts, ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to strengthen the black filmmaking community by encouraging resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration. He ultimately envisioned it as a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood. ABFF is the pre-eminent pipeline for black artists in front of and behind the camera and has significantly expanded the range of talent working in entertainment. For more than two decades the festival has been a platform for emerging black artists — premiering the early work and showcasing the talent of many of today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians. As “the nation’s largest gathering of black film and television enthusiasts” the festival attracts a broad audience of A-list talent, emerging artists, upscale consumers and industry stakeholders. Approximately 7,000 to 10,000 people travel to Miami Beach each year for the event. The five-day festival opens with the premiere of an upcoming Hollywood release followed by independent film screenings, master classes, panels, celebrity talks, live entertainment, and a variety of networking and hospitality events.

---

PRESS CONTACT:

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

COMEDIANS WILL FACE OFF FOR THE TOP SPOT IN MIAMI ON FRIDAY, JUNE 14TH

The 23rd American Black Film Festival held in Miami June 12-16

Los Angeles, CA, (April 17, 2019) – ABFF Ventures announced today their selection of finalists who will compete at the 7th annual ABFF Comedy Wings Competition, presented by HBO. Last night, nine comedians competed in the ABFF Comedy Wings Semifinals Showcase held at the HaHa Comedy Club in Los Angeles, hosted by Chris Spencer.

The contestants were judged by accomplished artists and industry executives, including “Def Comedy Jam” Producer Bob Sumner; Comedian and Actor Jay Phillips; Television Executive and Producer Rikki Hughes; Comedian and Actor Guy Torry; Comedian and Actor J.B. Smoove; Comedian and Actress Kym Whitley; Manager, Talent Development Robert Patla; Comedian and Actor Red Grant; ABFF Ventures CEO Jeff Friday, Founding Partner at Curated By Media Cameron Mitchell and Comedian and Actress, Erica Ash.

The finalists will receive an all-expense paid trip and (2) festival passes to the 23rd American Black Film Festival from June 12-16. Each finalist will then go toe-to-toe in a comedy battle on Friday, June 14th at the New World Center in Miami for a chance to win a $5,000 cash prize and attend an informational meeting with HBO talent executives. Comedian Deon Cole will host this highly popular night of hilarity at its best.

The Comedy Wings Competition is one of several platforms innovated by the ABFF that is designed to uncover talent and introduce them to a broader audience. ABFF has always participated in the cultivation of Black talent and has provided a stage over the years for dynamic performers such as Kevin Hart, Cedric the Entertainer, Craig Robinson, Tommy Davidson and Bill Bellamy.

“The Comedy Wings Competition highlights emerging comedians and allows us, through our long-time partnership with HBO, to showcase this talent to the entertainment industry. We’re very excited about this year’s lineup of finalists and expect one or more of them to a break out star,” said Jeff Friday, CEO of ABFF Ventures.

“HBO has been proudly supporting The Comedy Wings competition since its inception,” said Dennis Williams, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, HBO. “It has become one of the highlights of the festival and we are thrilled to be able to open doors and provide opportunities to diverse, groundbreaking comedic voices. HBO has a longstanding reputation for discovering and nurturing talent and we are excited to laugh with the finalists that will grace the stage this year at the ABFF!”

This year’s five finalists are emerging comics from across the United States, with diverse styles and sensibilities. The 2019 ABFF Comedy Wings finalists are:

Allan Cunningham
Comedian Allan Cunningham is one of the last great storytellers. His laid-back demeanor allows him to paint a hilarious picture so vivid you can hang on the wall. Off stage you can catch him mastering his craft as an actor, director and writer.

Brian Tucker
From humble beginnings in Atlanta Georgia, Brian Tucker also known as B-Tuck, began his stand-up comedy career in 2013. He started regularly hosting at the Original Uptown Comedy Corner. As well as touring comedy clubs all across the east coast including Comedy Zone, Stardome, Zanies, Stand Up Live, and Atlanta Comedy Theater. Since starting his career, he has worked with major acts such as Ricky Smiley, Michael Colyer, Mark Curry, Kountry Wayne, Karlous Miller, and TK Kirkland.

Kevin D. White
Comedian Kevin D. White is an American stand-up comedian and writer that loves poking fun at cultural stereotypes one joke at a time. Being a native of Chicago, IL and with over 15 years in stand up, his creative content is undeniably funny. He has shared the stage with some of today’s leading legends such as, Katt Williams, Lil Rel, Hannibal Burress, Damon Williams, Faison Love and Deon Cole just to name a few. White is more than ready to become one of your favorite comedians.

Reginal Thomas
Reg Thomas has been moving across the country with his brand of smart comedy, in which he focuses on his upbringing and experiences in life. He is simply a productive stoner living in a crazy world, trying to make sense of it all. Thomas has produced content for media companies including BuzzFeed, Atlantic Records and KicksOnFire.com. He has written for Complex Magazine, been on Trutv for their show Jobs Unlisted and, also produces the touring comedy show Productively Stoned. He has toured with Amanda Seales, Chris Redd and Jordan Rock.

Tyana Davis
Tyana Davis, known professionally as Ty Davis, is a comedian, radio personality, writer, producer and actress. She is a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina but resides in Maryland. After her mother retired from the military in 2001, she moved to Baltimore where she started her comedy career almost five years ago. Ty frequently performs at The Baltimore Comedy Factory, DC Improv, various venues in the DMV and along the upper east coast. She is the host of The Morning After Show on DTLR Radio Monday through Friday 11am-2pm ET.

Festival passes are on sale at www.abff.com, and offer five (5) different levels of access to Festival events. Registration ends May 22nd for discounted rates. Questions regarding registration may be directed to [email protected].

Sponsors of the 2019 American Black Film Festival are HBO^® (Founding and Presenting Sponsor); BET Networks, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting Sponsors); Capital One, Hilton, Prudential, Turner (Premier Sponsors); American Airlines, Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Sony, TV One (Official Sponsors); Accenture, Gentleman Jack, OWN, truTV, Warner Bros., Urban Movie Channel (UMC) (Supporting Sponsors); SAGIndie (Industry Partner); and Black Enterprise, Blackfilm.com (Media Partners).

---

ABFF Social Media Platforms:

• Twitter: @ABFF
• Facebook: American Black Film Festival
• Instagram: @AmericanBlackFilmFestival
• YouTube: American Black Film Festival
• Hashtags: #ABFF19, #WeAreABFF

---

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to empowering black artists and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Committed to the belief that diverse artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts, ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to strengthen the black filmmaking community by encouraging resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration. He ultimately envisioned it as a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood. ABFF is the pre-eminent pipeline for black artists in front of and behind the camera, and has significantly expanded the range of talent working in entertainment. For more than two decades the festival has been a platform for emerging black artists — premiering the early work and showcasing the talent of many of today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians. As “the nation’s largest gathering of black film and television enthusiasts” the festival attracts a broad audience of A-list talent, emerging artists, upscale consumers and industry stakeholders. Approximately 7,000 to 10,000 people travel to Miami Beach each year for the event. The five-day festival opens with the premiere of an upcoming Hollywood release followed by independent film screenings, master classes, panels, celebrity talks, live entertainment, and a variety of networking and hospitality events.

---

ABOUT HBO:
HBO^® is one of the most respected and innovative entertainment brands in the world, serving iconic, award-winning programming to 142 million subscribers globally. A subsidiary of WarnerMedia, HBO is the world’s most successful pay TV service with an extensive array of programming that includes some of the most notable titles to be on television including Game of Thrones^®, Big Little Lies^®, Westworld^®, The Sopranos^®, Sex and the City^®, Band of Brothers^®, and The Wire^®. In the United States, HBO^® and sister network Cinemax^® are available across multiple platforms including HBO On Demand^®, Cinemax On Demand^®, HBO GO^® and MAX GO^®, as well as HBO NOW^®. Internationally, HBO branded services, including television networks and the standalone streaming product HBO GO^®, are available in more than 70 countries across Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. HBO and Cinemax programming is also sold into more than 150 countries worldwide.

---

PRESS CONTACT:

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

EVENT HOSTED BY ACTOR AND AUTHOR OMAR EPPS

Los Angeles, CA, (February 13, 2019) – The 23rd annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF), taking place in Miami June 12-16, launches the first Social Impact Showcase, a curated program dedicated to raising awareness of films based on cause-related themes, relevant to communities of color. This year’s theme Fatherhood: The Foundation of the Black Family will feature a collection of short films, followed by an engaging conversation with the directors, and the event host— actor and author Omar Epps.

The goal of this program is to change the narrative of Black fathers by highlighting their presence, importance and contribution to their families, and by extension, the Black community. Therefore, positively affecting society’s view of them. The event will take place during the Festival at the Loews Miami Beach on Saturday, June 15.

Epps knows the personal impact of being a present father within his family and openly recalls growing up without his biological father, then becoming one himself. He shares his story of pain and triumph in his new book, From Fatherless to Fatherhood that recognizes the many themes surrounding the importance of family and community.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Jeff Friday and the ABFF on this year’s newly minted fatherhood initiative. Fatherhood within our urban communities has been a painful issue en masse, but there are also several positive stories that don’t get highlighted. I’m looking forward to celebrating men who’ve succeeded in fatherhood and will share my own story as written in my first book, From Fatherless To Fatherhood,” says Omar Epps.

Below is the criteria for the Social Impact Showcase. Deadline for submissions is March 11th. Please visit: https://www.abff.com/miami/submissions/social-impact-showcase/ for more details.

Criteria:

• Films must have a 30-minute maximum runtime
• Section is open to US & international entries
• Entrants must be 18 years of age or older
• Writer, director, or producer must be a person of African descent, or the film content must have a multicultural perspective
• Films must be in the English language or contain English-language subtitles
• Films must have completed principal photography on or after January 1, 2018
• Films that have been, or will be, broadcast or streamed on television or the internet, or released via any other public distribution platform (theatrical, Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to June 17, 2019, are not eligible for this category

ABFF remains committed to introducing emerging content creators of African descent to the industry at large and is recognized as one of the leading film festivals in the world. Passes are on sale at www.abff.com, and offer five (5) different levels of access to Festival events. Questions regarding registration may be directed to [email protected].

Sponsors of the 2019 American Black Film Festival are HBO^® (Founding and Presenting Sponsor); Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting Sponsor); Capital One, Turner (Premier Sponsor); American Airlines (Official Sponsor); and truTV, Warner Bros. (Supporting Partner).

---

ABFF Social Media Platforms:

• Twitter: @ABFF
• Facebook: American Black Film Festival
• Instagram: @AmericanBlackFilmFestival
• YouTube: American Black Film Festival
• Hashtags: #ABFF19, #WeAreABFF
• Website: www.abff.com

---

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to empowering black artists and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Committed to the belief that diverse artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts, ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to strengthen the black filmmaking community by encouraging resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration. He ultimately envisioned it as a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood. ABFF is the pre-eminent pipeline for black artists in front of and behind the camera, and has significantly expanded the range of talent working in entertainment. For more than two decades the festival has been a platform for emerging black artists — premiering the early work and showcasing the talent of many of today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians. As “the nation’s largest gathering of black film and television enthusiasts” the festival attracts a broad audience of A-list talent, emerging artists, upscale consumers and industry stakeholders. Approximately 7,000 to 10,000 people travel to Miami Beach each year for the event. The five-day festival opens with the premiere of an upcoming Hollywood release followed by independent film screenings, master classes, panels, celebrity talks, live entertainment, and a variety of networking and hospitality events.

---

PRESS CONTACT:

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