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American Black Film Festival Announces Lineup for Returning International Screening Series in London

Three-Day Fest Opens with Emmy-nominated Actress Sanaa Lathan’s Directorial Debut On the Come Up

Program Also Features, Independent Films, Panels and Networking Events

LOS ANGELES, (September 14, 2022) – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) – the leading event in the U.S. showcasing Black creative talent – today revealed its lineup of premieres, features, short films, panels, master classes and networking events for ABFF Global, its international screening series. Programmed in partnership with S.O.U.L. Fest, a UK film organization, ABFF Global is the second installment of the London series taking place September 16-18, 2022, at the British Film Institute (BFI) and the Garden Cinema.

“We’re excited to return to London to showcase the work of Black content creators from around the globe. ABFF’s collaboration with the S.O.U.L. Fest organization is an extension of what our mission has been for 26 years; to provide a platform for Black creatives to tell their stories, build alliances and program content for our community,” said Nicole Friday, president ABFF Ventures LLC.

Kicking off the three-day London event, is the opening night presentation of the coming-of age drama On the Come Up courtesy of Paramount+. A moving love letter to hip-hop, the film marks Emmy®-nominated actress Sanaa Lathan’s feature directorial debut and stars Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Lil Yachty, Mike Epps, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Justin Martin, Titus Makin, Michael Cooper Jr., GaTa, Sanaa Lathan, Cliff “Method Man” Smith and introducing newcomer Jamila C. Gray.

The series will also feature screenings from independent filmmakers and Hollywood studios including a special preview of The Silent Twins, a powerful film based on a true story courtesy of Focus Features starring Letitia Wright (Black Panther) and Tamara Lawrence (Kindred); The UK premiere of The Threesome, an official narrative selection from the 2022 ABFF; Little Darlings an uplifting children’s movie; The Amazon Prime Video series Jungle; and eight diverse short films by British filmmakers from the 2022 S.O.U.L Fest Short film program and award presentation. Additional events include the not-to-be-missed panel, “Because Hollywoodn’t: A Conversation with ABFF Founders Jeff and Nicole Friday,” and a Comedy Master Class from the BBC.

Since its founding, advancing diversity in Hollywood and providing a platform for emerging filmmakers has been a cornerstone of ABFF’s mission. ABFF Global, extends its commitment to the UK to foster collaboration among the growing number and success of Black British creative artists and the Black American filmmaking communities and to facilitate distribution of content from the African Diaspora. Future installments of the series will be presented in other major cultural hubs, including Madrid, Abu Dhabi, Paris and Gaborone.

For the full schedule, to purchase tickets and for more information visit, https://www.abffglobal.com/.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

On The Come Up
Opening Night Film/Courtesy of Paramount Pictures/Paramount+
Director: Sanaa Lathan
Cast: Jamila C. Gray, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Lil Yachty, Mike Epps
Starring newcomer Jamila C. Gray, On the Come Up is the story of Bri, a gifted 16-year-old rapper, who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to lift up her family and do right by the legacy of her father – a local hip hop legend whose career was cut short by gang violence. But when her first hit song goes viral for all the wrong reasons, she finds herself torn between the authenticity that got her this far and the false persona that the industry wants to impose upon her.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17

Because Hollywoodn’t: A Conversation with ABFF Founders Jeff and Nicole Friday
Moderators: Anthony Andrews (Creative Director, We Are Parable) and Teanne Andrews (Director of Operations, We Are Parable)
Award winning co-founders of We Are Parable, Anthony and Teanne Andrews will be in conversation with the mercurial co-founders of the American Black Film Festival, Jeff and Nicole Friday, where they’ll discuss origins of the ABFF and share their plans to expand the brand and strengthen the global Black film community.

S.O.U.L. Fest Shorts & Awards presented by Akua Gyamfi and Iyare Igiehon
This year’s S.O.U.L. Fest short film program brings together eight diverse visions of Black British life. Following the screening, the 2022 S.O.U.L. Fest Awards recognizing outstanding Black British screen culture will be presented along with the respected Impact Award.

The short films are:

  • Why Me?, directed by Abdou Cisse
  • Barry the Beekeeper, directed by Ikram Ahmed
  • Butterfly Affect, directed by Edem Wornoo
  • The Ballad Of Olive Morris, directed by Alex Kayode-Kay
  • Drop Out, directed by Ade Femzo
  • Muroyi Ndiani? (Who Is The Witch?), directed by Lawrie Zidyana
  • A Birthday Party directed by Victoria Thomas
  • Reflection, directed by David Anderson

The Threesome
Director: Jamal Dedeaux
Writer: Jamal Dedeaux
Producers: Jaleel Ghafur, Rebecca Haze, Jamal Dedeaux
Cast: Andrea Lewis, Brittany S. Hall, Jerrel O’Neal
Nominated at the 2022 American Black Film Festival for Best Narrative Feature, Best Director, and Best Screenplay; The Threesome tells the story of sexually awkward Stacey Johnson who decides to take control of her life, cancel her ex, and conquer her fears by having a threesome with her new beau and a mysterious woman she’s never met. What could possibly go wrong? Filmmaker Q&A to follow.

The Silent Twins
Courtesy of Focus Features
Director: Agnieszka Smoczynska
Cast: Letitia Wright, Tamara Lawrance
The Silent Twins is the astounding true story of twin sisters who only communicated with one another. As a result, they created a rich, fascinating world to escape the reality of their own lives. Based on the best-selling book “The Silent Twins.”

SUNDAY, JUNE 18

Little Darlings
Director: Ian Aryeh
Writers: Nathan Byron and Jonny Leigh-Wright
Cast: Janae Vito, Diaana Babnicova
Destiny is desperate to meet her dad and half-siblings. The only problem is – they don’t even know that she exists. And her dad just happens to be a famous pop star, Danny Killman. When they finally meet Danny is stunned – and Destiny’s mum Kate storms off in a huff. But Destiny’s sister Sunset stays in touch and the girls bond instantly. Sunset helps Destiny find the courage to sing at her talent contest, and makes sure Destiny knows how much the Killman family love her. To prove it, Danny shows up to Destiny’s performance and they sing together on stage. Followed by Q&A with actors Janae Vito, Diaana Babnicova and writers Nathan Bryon and Jonny Leigh-Wright moderated by Akua Gyamfi.

Jungle
Courtesy of Prime Video
Director: Junior Okoli
Producer: Kurban Kassam
Jungle follows the connected lives of several strangers, each facing their own struggle, viewed through the prism of UK rap and drill music, and giving a perspective on an often-unseen world. Frequently misunderstood, it’s a world where one law governs everything: only the strongest will survive. As the strangers’ worlds begin to unravel around them, they come to the realization that every action, no matter how small, has a consequence. Told through a unique blend of music and dialogue the series will feature some of the UK’s top drill and rap artists and looks to capture a very different side to an often-told story. Followed by Q&A with executive producers Junior Okoli and Chas Appeti.

BBC Comedy Masterclass
The genre of comedy has proven to be an effective nursery for launching Black British TV careers. Coincidence? Or is there something about the Black British experience that lends itself to comedy? Join BBC Comedy Director Jon Petrie and an array of comedy talent as we tackle these questions and more and demystify the business of funny.

ABFF Global sponsors to date include Global Sony Pictures Entertainment (Founding/Presenting); American Airlines (Official) and Paramount+ (Supporting).

About the American Black Film Festival
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 & CEO 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. Since its inception, the ABFF has been a platform for emerging Black artists, having premiered the early work and showcasing the talent of many of today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians. Today, the festival 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 Hollywood.

About S.O.U.L. Fest
A celebration of Black British talent in film, showcasing new work by Black British film creatives and allowing audiences the opportunity to see a diverse representation of Britain. Brought to you by S.O.U.L Celebrate Connect, The British Blacklist and We Are Parable, this is S.O.U.L. Fest.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. Sony Pictures Television operates dozens of wholly-owned or joint-venture production companies around the world. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, Sony Pictures International Productions, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html

About Paramount+
Paramount+ is a global digital subscription video streaming service from Paramount that features a mountain of premium entertainment for audiences of all ages. Internationally, the streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIME®, BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian ChannelTM, in addition to a robust offering of premier local content. The service is currently live in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia, Italy, South Korea and the U.K.

Media Contact:

Chelsye J. Burrows
Jeff Friday Media (JFM) and ABFF Ventures LLC
[email protected]

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The American Black Film Festival’s International Screening Series Returns to the UK

Photo from Black and Blue premiere at the last installment of ABFF Global From left to right: Jeff Friday, Founder and CEO, ABFF Ventures LLC, Deon Taylor, Director, Black and Blue, Naomie Harris, actress, Black and Blue, Tyrese Gibson, actor, Black and Blue, Nicole Friday, President, ABFF Ventures LLC

Presented in Partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, ABFF Global Will be Held During London’s 5th Annual S.O.U.L. Fest September 16 – 18 Opening Festivities Kick off at the British Film Institute

LOS ANGELES, (July 26, 2022) – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF), premier platform in the U.S. showcasing films and series of Black Americans, travels to the U.K. September 16-18, 2022, for its international screening series. Presented by ABFF Ventures LLC and Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) in association with the British-based S.O.U.L. Fest, a film festival serving Black audiences, this second installment of the ABFF Global series will feature screenings, panel discussions and networking with London-based content creatives. The events will be held at the British Film Institute (BFI) and other venues around London during the 5th annual S.O.U.L. Fest.

“ABFF is rooted in building bridges and fostering alliances between Black content creators around the world. SPE’s support of ABFF Global has allowed us to further this mission,” said Jeff Friday, ABFF Founder and CEO ABFF Ventures, LLC. “We have a deep respect for the S.O.U.L. organization and appreciate them welcoming us to be a part of their annual event.”

“We are delighted to partner with the ABFF, an organisation we have long admired and been inspired by,” said Iyare Igiehon, director, S.O.U.L. Fest. “We established S.O.U.L. Fest with an ethos of community and have found Jeff Friday and the ABFF team share our values and our desire to forge links across the African diaspora. This collaboration will bring about greater experiences for audiences, open up opportunities for the talent and support and further strengthen the UK as a node on the global Black cinematic network.”

“Sony Pictures is proud to, once again, partner with ABFF and its impactful work showcasing the amazing work of emerging Black artists, said Paul Martin, Chief Diversity Officer, Sony Pictures Entertainment. “We are excited that this September’s global event in London, programmed in association with S.O.U.L Fest, aims to reach an even larger global audience with its screenings, panel discussions, and networking events.”

Launched in 2019 in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment the series, an extension of ABFF, promotes the universal appeal of Black content and encourages collaboration between artists throughout the African diaspora, with the objective of expanding distribution opportunities for Black content on an international scale. Future installments of the series will be presented in other major cultural hubs, including Madrid, Abu Dhabi, Paris and Gaborone.

Sponsors to date of ABFF Global include Global Sony Pictures Entertainment (Founding) and American Airlines (Official).

For information visit, https://www.abffglobal.com/.

About the American Black Film Festival
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 & CEO 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. Since its inception, the ABFF has been a platform for emerging Black artists, having premiered the early work and showcasing the talent of many of today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians. Today, the festival 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 Hollywood.

About S.O.U.L. Fest
A celebration of Black British talent in film, showcasing new work by Black British film creatives and allowing audiences the opportunity to see a diverse representation of Britain. Brought to you by S.O.U.L Celebrate Connect, The British Blacklist and We Are Parable, this is S.O.U.L. Fest.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. Sony Pictures Television operates dozens of wholly-owned or joint-venture production companies around the world. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, Sony Pictures International Productions, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit https://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html

Media Contact:

Chelsye J. Burrows
Jeff Friday Media (JFM) and ABFF Ventures LLC
[email protected]

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First American Black Film Festival Global Film Series Event in London is a Resounding Success

(October 2, 2019) – The first installment of the American Black Film Festival’s (ABFF) Global Film Series event, held in London (September 27-29), delivered on its promise of encouraging collaboration and promotion between Black British and Black American filmmaking communities.

The three-day event sponsored by Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), held at Picturehouse Central in London’s West End, confirmed why this international screening series, an extension of the American Black Film Festival, held in association with Screen Nation, the leading UK platform showcasing Black British film talent, was so necessary in creating a fresh narrative between the two countries.

This was best illustrated with Friday’s historic opening night launch and gala screening of Screen Gems’ Black and Blue, the forthcoming cop action thriller released later this month. The film’s two stars Britain’s Academy Award and BAFTA nominated actress Naomie Harris and American co-star, actor and Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Tyrese Gibson, both appeared on the red carpet, with their presence exemplifying the message of cultural collaboration between the respective countries. Also present was the film’s director Deon Taylor, who exuded an excitement and energy for the event which proved infectious and got the festival off to a memorable and resounding start.

More importantly, the subsequent Q&A with Harris, Gibson and Taylor, illuminated how film’s like Black and Blue are attempting to shift the dial in honestly depicting black stories on the big screen. The powerful testimony of a very animated Taylor in sharing stories of countless rejections on the road to getting his film made was a timely reminder of the many challenges black filmmakers still face within the industry.

Saturday’s industry panel, ‘Creating Blue Oceans in Hollywood’, explored how black filmmakers are attempting to navigate their way within the film industry. The panel of Jeff Friday, ABFF Founder, Charles Thompson, MBE, Founder, Screen Nation, Frances-Anne Solomon, director of Hero and Marshall Tyler, the 2019 ABFF/HBO Short film winner, delivered a very practical discussion on how investors can identify projects from projects from new voices and emerging talent can get their stories heard. Tyler echoed the thoughts of many when he declared “Don’t let anything stop you.”

In addition, the well-attended screenings of Nijla Mu’min’s debut feature, Jinn, a coming of age tale, and Numar Perrier’s emotive Jezebel, which earned her ABFF’s 2019 Best Narrative Feature and Best Director prizes, were both well received by festival audiences hungry for diverse female-led stories. Their respective Q&A’s were equally enlightening with Perrier sharing the journey of her semi-autobiographical drama with moderator Lisa Bent.

The Saturday evening’s packed preview screening of Farming, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s directorial debut, based on his own childhood, proved intense viewing and had visible impact on the audience by the time the final credits had rolled. During his very insightful Q&A, Adewale eloquently shared his 14 year struggle to get the film made and why he felt compelled to tell his very unique Black British story. Speaking at the event, he declared: “Nobody’s ever spoken about the African journey. People like me who went through the farming practice became part of the first Black British generation to be born on British soil and consequently a part of British history.

On the Sunday screening, it was the turn of a new generation of filmmakers to take the spotlight. The screening of five exciting entries from this year’s ABFF HBO Short Films competition (Cap, Evelyn x Evelyn, The Fisherman, Flight and Wednesday) demonstrated the importance of giving a platform to emerging directorial talent with distinct stories to tell. Three of the five directors, Marshall Tyler (Cap, 2019 ABFF HBO Short Film Award winner), Zoey Martinson (The Fisherman) and Kia Moses (Flight) took part in the Q&A moderated by award-winning UK director Julius Amedume, a recent addition to the membership of the Academy. Their perceptive sharing of their respective individual journeys on learning their craft, securing funds and trying to establish a foothold in the film industry, was very much a universal theme which would be appreciated on either side of the Atlantic.

Meagan Good’s directorial debut feature (with Tamara LaSeon Bass) If Not Now, When, a crowd-funded sisterhood indie film brought the three-day event to a close. The film was received warmly by the sold-out audience and Good’s special appearance taking part in the film’s Q&A. Excellently moderated by broadcaster and presenter Jasmine Dotiwala, Good’s words of wisdom were a fitting way to bring the curtain down on a historical and important weekend for filmmakers across the Diaspora.

ABFF festival founder and ABFF Ventures CEO, Jeff Friday, commented: “London was a great place to kick-off our first Global Film Series and with support of leading Black film actors and filmmakers from both sides of the Atlantic it has been a resounding success. Going forward, we aim to debunk the perception that black film does not travel and the roll out of our Global Film Series in different major cultural cities will definitely prove that.”

Wayne Garvie, President of International Production, Sony Pictures Television said: “ABFF in London was terrific, a wonderful showcase for a great range of talent and films. We at Sony Pictures were honoured to support the festival and build a bridge between the American and British creative communities. Here’s to next year!”

Screen Nation founder and CEO, Charles Thompson MBE, commented: “This event has kick-started an important dialogue between black film talent in the UK and US, which I believe has laid really solid foundations for navigating the industry in the future and offers a fresh and exciting shared vision between the two organisations.”

Richard Adeshiyan [email protected] +44(0)7956 106627

Notes to Editors:

  1. ABFF London, in association with Screen Nation, was held from September 27-29, 2019 at Picturehouse Central, Corner of Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly Circus, London W1D 7DH.

  2. Black and Blue is a fast-paced action thriller about rookie cop (Naomie Harris) who inadvertently captures the murder of a young drug dealer on her body cam. After realizing that the murder was committed by corrupt cops, she teams up with one person from her community who is willing to help her (Tyrese Gibson) as she tries to escape both the criminals out for revenge and the police who are desperate to destroy the incriminating footage.

    Directed by Deon Taylor. Written by Peter A. Dowling. Produced by Sean Sorensen. Joshua Throne and Roxanne Taylor serve as executive producers. The film stars Naomie Harris, Tyrese Gibson, Frank Grillo, Mike Colter, Reid Scott, Beau Knapp and Nafessa Williams.

ABOUT ABFF GLOBAL FILM SERIES
ABFF Global Film Series (ABFF Global) is an international screening series and extension of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), the premier event in the United States showcasing the work of content creators of African descent. The series mission is to promote the universal appeal of films by and about people of color and encourage collaboration between content creators throughout the African Diaspora, with the objective of expanding distribution opportunities for black content on an international scale. The ABFF Global Film Series will visit other major cultural hubs, after London, including Madrid, Cape Town and Paris in 2020.

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 & CEO 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. Since its inception, the ABFF has been a platform for emerging black artists, having premiered the early work and showcasing the talent of many of today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians. Today, the festival 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 Hollywood. For more information, please visit https://www.abff.com/miami/.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html.

ABOUT SCREEN NATION
The Screen Nation Film & TV Awards, formerly the bfm (black filmmaker) Film and TV Awards, was founded in September 2003 by independent film producer Charles Thompson MBE as a platform to raise the profile of black British and international film and television talent of African heritage. The awards ceremony – dubbed the “Black BAFTAs brings together actors, actresses, directors and filmmakers from the British and international film and TV industry.

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Academy Award® and BAFTA Nominated Naomie Harris Set to Open the American Black Film Festival’s First Ever Global Film Series

(September 25, 2019) – Oscar nominee Naomie Harris, the star of the forthcoming Screen Gems action thriller Black and Blue, will be attending the film’s Gala screening at Picturehouse Central, in central London, on Friday, September 27, 2019.

The film’s director, Deon Taylor, will also be present at the screening, which officially opens the American Black Film Festival’s (ABFF) first Global Film Series (Sept 27-29), held in association with Screen Nation, and sponsored by Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE).

The well-documented recent success of black actors and filmmakers who have collectively reimagined the Hollywood landscape, especially at the box office, provides a suitable backdrop to the London launch. That Black British actors have been an integral part in shaping this exciting new cinematic narrative underlines the importance of this event. The weekend of screenings and panel discussions are aimed at encouraging collaboration and promotion between filmmakers throughout the African Diaspora. Significantly, a panel called ‘Creating Blue Oceans in Hollywood’ (Sept 28) will explore solutions to support inclusion of underrepresented talent in the industry and the ABFF’s HBO Shorts programme (Sept 29) that helped launch the careers of talent like Ava DuVernay (When They See Us) and Ryan Coogler (Black Panther). This will showcase five short films with a Q&A hosted by recent Academy inductee British filmmaker Julius Amedume with the HBO short competition winner Marshall Tyler.

ABFF festival founder and ABFF Ventures CEO, Jeff Friday, who will appear in one of the festival’s panel discussions, commented: “ABFF’s Global Film Series provides a unique platform for black actors and filmmakers internationally to forge new alliances and share their work. The London event provides an important first step in developing these synergies which can help inform the African Diaspora as a whole. We’re very appreciative to Sony Pictures Entertainment for supporting the launch of this series.”

“I am delighted that Sony Pictures Entertainment is partnering with ABFF to support its international expansion,” said Wayne Garvie, President of International Production, Sony Pictures Television. “London is a vibrant, important source of diverse creative talent and a fantastic place to showcase emerging content. We are excited to launch the ABFF Global Film Series in London, which highlights Sony Pictures Entertainment’s commitment to harnessing the power of diversity and promoting inclusivity so that talented people can thrive.”

Screen Nation founder and CEO, Charles Thompson MBE, commented: “We are very excited to be partnering ABFF UK in this timely initiative and proud that the Global Film Series will be kicking off in London. In the past fourteen years Screen Nation Awards has been at the vanguard of recognising black film talent in the UK and we have complemented this by acknowledging the impressive historical gains of US black actors and filmmakers across the Diaspora.”

The line-up also features popular US actress Meagan Good’s directorial debut feature (with Tamara LaSeon Bass) of her crowd-funded sisterhood indie film, If Not Now, When. The added bonus for UK audiences is Good (Think Like A Man, Think Like A Man Too, Shazam) will be attending the film’s UK premiere. There is also a preview screening of British feature Farming, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s much-anticipated autobiographical directorial debut, starring Damson Idris, Kate Beckinsale and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

For further press information and interview requests please contact: Richard Adeshiyan [email protected] +44(0)7956 106627

Notes to Editors:

  1. ABFF London, in association with Screen Nation, will be held from September 27-29, 2019 at Picturehouse Central, Corner of Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly Circus, London W1D 7DH. The Gala screening of Black and Blue will be screened at 6.30pm (Arrival of talent tbc).

  2. Black and Blue is a fast-paced action thriller about rookie cop (Naomie Harris) who inadvertently captures the murder of a young drug dealer on her body cam. After realizing that the murder was committed by corrupt cops, she teams up with one person from her community who is willing to help her (Tyrese Gibson) as she tries to escape both the criminals out for revenge and the police who are desperate to destroy the incriminating footage.

    Directed by Deon Taylor. Written by Peter A. Dowling. Produced by Sean Sorensen. Joshua Throne and Roxanne Taylor serve as executive producers. The film stars Naomie Harris, Tyrese Gibson, Frank Grillo, Mike Colter, Reid Scott, Beau Knapp and Nafessa Williams.

ABOUT ABFF GLOBAL FILM SERIES
ABFF Global Film Series (ABFF Global) is an international screening series and extension of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), the premier event in the United States showcasing the work of content creators of African descent. The series mission is to promote the universal appeal of films by and about people of color and encourage collaboration between content creators throughout the African Diaspora, with the objective of expanding distribution opportunities for black content on an international scale. The ABFF Global Film Series will visit other major cultural hubs, after London, including Madrid, Cape Town and Paris in 2020.

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 & CEO 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. Since its inception, the ABFF has been a platform for emerging black artists, having premiered the early work and showcasing the talent of many of today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians. Today, the festival 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 Hollywood. For more information, please visit https://www.abff.com/miami/.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html.

ABOUT SCREEN NATION
The Screen Nation Film & TV Awards, formerly the bfm (black filmmaker) Film and TV Awards, was founded in September 2003 by independent film producer Charles Thompson MBE as a platform to raise the profile of black British and international film and television talent of African heritage. The awards ceremony – dubbed the “Black BAFTAs brings together actors, actresses, directors and filmmakers from the British and international film and TV industry.

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The American Black Film Festival, in Partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, Launches ABFF Global Film Series in London

Event to be held September 27-29, 2019 at Picturehouse Central in London’s West End

Los Angeles, CA, (August 28, 2019) – The hugely influential American Black Film Festival (ABFF) will make a timely and historic entrance into the UK next month, with the launch of the ABFF Global Film Series September 27-29, 2019. The first installment will be held in London at the Picturehouse Central, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE).

ABFF London is an integral part of the international screening series and extension of the American Black Film Festival, the leading event in the U.S. showcasing black filmmakers. The three-day event is in association with Screen Nation, the leading UK platform which has raised the profile of black British and international film and television talent of African Caribbean heritage.

The well-documented recent success of black actors and filmmakers who have collectively reimagined the Hollywood landscape, especially at the box office, provides a suitable backdrop to the London launch. Black British actors have also contributed to shaping this exciting new cinematic narrative underlining the importance of this event. The weekend of screenings and panel discussions are aimed at encouraging collaboration and promotion between filmmakers throughout the African Diaspora.

The American Black Film Festival founder and ABFF Ventures CEO, Jeff Friday, who will appear in one of the festival’s panel discussions, commented: “ABFF’s Global Film Series provides a unique platform for black actors and filmmakers, internationally, to forge new alliances and share their work. The London event provides an important first step in developing these synergies which can help inform the African Diaspora as a whole. We’re very appreciative to Sony Pictures Entertainment for supporting the launch of this series.”

“I am delighted that Sony Pictures Entertainment is partnering with the ABFF to support its international expansion,” said Wayne Garvie, President of International Production, Sony Pictures Television. “London is a vibrant, important source of diverse creative talent and a fantastic place to showcase emerging content. We are excited to launch the ABFF Global Film Series in London, which highlights Sony Pictures Entertainment’s commitment to harnessing the power of diversity and promoting inclusivity so that talented people can thrive.”

Screen Nation founder and CEO, Charles Thompson MBE, commented: “We are very excited to be partnering ABFF UK in this timely initiative and proud that the Global Film Series will be kicking off in London. In the past fourteen years Screen Nation Awards has been at the vanguard of recognizing black film talent in the UK and we have complemented this by acknowledging the impressive historical gains of US black actors and filmmakers across the Diaspora.”

The program will boast an impressive line-up with the Gala premiere screening of action thriller Black and Blue, starring movie star Naomie Harris, alongside actor Tyrese Gibson. The event will also feature actress Meagan Good’s directorial debut feature (with Tamara LaSeon Bass) of her crowd-funded sisterhood indie film, If Not Now, When. There will also be a preview screening of the British feature Farming, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s much-anticipated autobiographical directorial debut, starring Damson Idris, Kate Beckinsale and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

ABFF LONDON SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, Sept 27: 6:30 pm & 9:00 pm
Opening Night Film: Black and Blue, courtesy of Sony Pictures, with Welcome Reception to follow.

Black and Blue, directed by Deon Taylor
Starring: Naomie Harris and Tyrese Gibson
Black and Blue is an action thriller about a rookie cop (Naomie Harris) who inadvertently captures the murder of a young drug dealer on her body cam. After realizing that the murder was committed by corrupt cops, she teams up with the one person from her community who is willing to help her (Tyrese Gibson) as she tries to escape both the criminals out for revenge and the police who are desperate to destroy the incriminating footage.

Saturday, Sept 28:

2:00 pm Jinn (92 min), directed by Nijla Mu’min (Q&A to follow)
Starring: Simone Missick, Zoe Renee and Ashlei Foushée
Summer is a carefree, black teenage girl whose world is turned upside down when her mother abruptly converts to Islam and becomes a different person. At first resistant to the faith, she begins to reevaluate her identity after becoming attracted to a Muslim classmate, crossing the thin line between physical desire and piety.

5:00 pm Jezebel (88 min), directed by Numa Perrier (Q&A to follow)
Starring: Tiffany Tenille, Numa Perrier, Stephen Barrington, Bobby Field and Brett Gelman
In the last days of her mother’s life, 19-yearold 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.

7:30 pm Farming (107 min), directed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Q&A to follow)
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Damson Idris
Based on the writer/director’s childhood, this is the story of a young Nigerian boy ‘farmed out’ by his parents to a white British family in the hope of a better future. Instead, he becomes the feared leader of a white skinhead gang.

Sunday, Sept 29:

12:00 pm 2019 ABFF HBO Short Films (70 min) (Q&A to follow)

Cap*, directed by Marshall Tyler
*The 2019 ABFF/HBO Short Film Competition Winner
15-year-old Manny Bennitt learns the hard way the price of being cool.

Evelyn X Evelyn, directed by Eric Pumphrey
Grief can be overwhelming for just us to tackle alone.

The Fisherman, directed by Zoey Martinson
An aging fisherman goes out to sea one day and returns with a talking fish.

Flight, directed by Kia Moses and Adrian McDonald
A Jamaican boy sets out on a dream, ten times his size, to fly to the moon, despite his circumstances and father’s opposition.

Wednesday, directed by Daniel Willis
Recently homeless and living in a car with her mother, a teenage girl, desperate to rescue a vestige of their former life, commits a reckless act.

3:00 pm Soleseekers (75 min Documentary), directed by Emil Collins (Q&A to follow)
Trainers break gender, cultural and class backgrounds. Collectors, Inspectors and respecters of sneakers, affectionately known as “sneakerheads” can come from any background, race or religion, all with one common purpose, the appreciation of trainer culture. With the UK Sportswear Market worth Billions, this documentary will chart the highs and lows of the culture in the UK.

6:00 pm If Not Now, When? (114 min), directed by Meagan Good and Tamara Bass (Q&A to follow)
Starring: Meagan Good, Meagan Holder, Mekia Cox, Tamara Bass, Valarie Pettiford
A story about love, forgiveness, sisterhood and second chances.

8:30 pm Closing Night Remarks by Jeff Friday (ABFF Founder), Charles Thompson (Screen Nation Founder) and Sony Pictures.

Tickets for ABFF London will be on sale September 1, 2019. For more information, go to picturehouses.com/abff.

ABOUT ABFF GLOBAL FILM SERIES
ABFF Global Film Series (ABFF Global) is an international screening series and extension of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), the premier event in the United States showcasing the work of content creators of African descent. The series mission is to promote the universal appeal of films by and about people of color and encourage collaboration between content creators throughout the African Diaspora, with the objective of expanding distribution opportunities for black content on an international scale. The ABFF Global Film Series will visit other major cultural hubs, after London, including Madrid, Cape Town and Paris in 2020.

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 & CEO 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. Since its inception, the ABFF has been a platform for emerging black artists, having premiered the early work and showcasing the talent of many of today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians. Today, the festival 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 Hollywood. For more information, please visit https://www.abff.com/miami/.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html.

ABOUT SCREEN NATION
The Screen Nation Film & TV Awards, formerly the bfm (black filmmaker) Film and TV Awards, was founded in September 2003 by independent film producer Charles Thompson MBE as a platform to raise the profile of black British and international film and television talent of African heritage. The awards ceremony – dubbed the “Black BAFTAs brings together actors, actresses, directors and filmmakers from the British and international film and TV industry.

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