NEW YORK, NY, May 1, 2013 – Film Life, Inc. today announced actress Regina King as the featured guest for “A Conversation With” at the 17th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF). This event, presented by American Airlines, is an exciting opportunity for the festival audience to engage with King, celebrate her work and learn about her journey within the entertainment business first-hand. “A Conversation With Regina King” is scheduled to take place on Friday, June 21 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm at the Ritz Carlton, South Beach. The festival runs from June 19-23.

Regina King, probably best known as the feisty and bright Brenda on the popular sitcom “227,” has carved out a very impressive Hollywood career. After five seasons of “227,” King made her film debut starring with Ice Cube in John Singleton’s commanding film and one that would become a cultural touchpoint, Boys N the Hood. She would go on to work with Singleton again in Poetic Justice and Higher Learning. King’s memorable role as Cuba Gooding Jr.’s savvy wife Marci in Jerry Maguire changed the arc of her career, as it led to starring roles in How Stella Got Her Groove Back with Angela Bassett and the hit action thriller Enemy of the State opposite Will Smith.

King’s turn as Lydia Adams on TNT’s cop drama “Southland” has been praised throughout Hollywood and Entertainment Weekly recently listed King as one of six actresses who deserve an Emmy nod for her role on the well-received show. In between filming “Southland,” King made her feature film directorial debut with the teleplay adaptation of the best-selling book, Let The Church Say Amen, for BET Networks, slated to air later this year.

Jeff Friday, ABFF Founder and CEO says, “Regina has supported our festival since the very beginning and I am thrilled to have her as the subject of “A Conversation With,” as she is an immensely talented and highly respected artist.” He adds, “We want to always provide memorable festival experiences and this year, Regina King will do just that.”

Past “A Conversation With” guests have included: Salim Akil and Mara Brock-Akil, Paula Patton, Idris Elba, Jeffrey Wright and Cuba Gooding Jr.

About The American Black Film Festival (ABFF):
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is a five-day retreat and international film market dedicated to strengthening the Black filmmaking community. Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. Through its film showcases and special contests, it annually introduces the top echelon of emerging artists to the film and television industry.

About Film Life, Inc.:
The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a multi-faceted entertainment company headquartered in New York City. The company was founded in 2001 by Jeff Friday, a veteran of the consumer product marketing and advertising industries. While best known for creating the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), Film Life’s operations center on developing/licensing innovative content across all forms of media and providing strategic advisory services to a wide range of companies in the entertainment, media and consumer product industries.

2013 Sponsors: HBO^© (Founding and Premier Sponsor); Cadillac (Premier Sponsor); American Airlines, gmc TV, CNN, Codeblack Films a Lionsgate company, Comcast/NBCUniversal and Nickelodeon (Official Sponsors); American Family Insurance, BET, Grab Media, Nielsen and Stella Artois (Supporting Sponsors); Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA), Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce and Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council (TDC) (Host Sponsors); Macy’s and Rosa Regale (Promotional Partners); Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), One Village Entertainment, SAGIndie and the Writers Guild of America West (Industry Partners).

2013 Media Partners: HuffPost/AOL Black Voices, Black Enterprise and Uptown Magazine (Official Media); Precious Times and Upscale Magazine (Supporting Media). Black Enterprise and Uptown (Official Media); GIANTlife.com, Precious Times and Upscale (Supporting Media).

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

Follow us on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/abff

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Black-Film-Festival/47321635722

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/AmericanBlackFilmFestival

YouTube.com: http://www.youtube.com/user/ABFFTV

CONTACT: HUFF Events and PR

Michelle Huff
[email protected]

Kelley Jackson
[email protected]

THREE FINALISTS WILL BE CHOSEN TO COMPETE FOR $5,000 GRAND PRIZE

ATLANTA, March 25, 2013 – GMC TV, America’s favorite channel for uplifting family entertainment, announced today that it is partnering with the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) on the third annual GMC Faith and Family Screenplay Competition. The competition, promoting the development of faith-friendly, family entertainment screenplays, with a focus on the American Black cultural experience, is a component of GMC’s “Official Sponsorship” of Film Life’s 17th annual ABFF event, which is the pre-eminent festival promoting cultural diversity within the film and television industry. The 2013 ABFF will be held June 19-23 in Miami.

Submissions for the GMC Faith and Family Screenplay Competition are being solicited now through April 11 by the ABFF through the organization’s web site (https://www.abff.com/miami/festival/) and newsletter. All eligible screenplays received will be sent to GMC for review by a select panel, which will choose three finalists. The three finalists will have portions of their screenplay performed by actors in attendance at the festival and in front of a live audience of festival attendees and industry tastemakers. One Grand Prize winner will receive $5,000.

“We are once again thrilled to renew our partnership with ABFF to present the GMC Faith and Family Screenplay Competition for a third year,” said Wendy McCoy, senior vice president of marketing at GMC TV. “Each year, the response to the competition grows and draws a wide range of talent submitting work across various genres such as family, adventure, romantic comedy and drama. We look forward to premiering last year’s winner In the Meantime on GMC TV this year and to finding additional exciting projects in this year’s competition.”

Brad Siegel, vice-chairman of GMC TV, added, “We take pride in the fact that GMC’s Faith and Family Screenplay Competition is a natural extension of our network’s commitment to showcase inspiring multicultural themed faith friendly family stories. As we conclude production on last year’s winning screenplay, In the Meantime, it reaffirms that our partnership with ABFF and this competition is a valuable proving ground to bring these stories to life and new exciting talented storytellers to the forefront.”

Entries for GMC’s Faith and Family Screenplay Competition should: be formatted for a two-hour television movie, or approximately 88 minutes of content excluding commercials; center around faith-friendly, family-friendly topics with a focus on the American Black cultural experience with a wide audience appeal, and; focus on genres/formats that tell these inspiring stories like romantic comedies, comedies, dramas and family adventures. All submissions should be a non-period piece, and; submitted in a printed form only. Electronic entries will not be accepted. Submissions should be mailed to: GMC Faith and Family Screenplay Competition 2013, c/o Film Life, Inc., 116 West 23rd Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY. All submission materials must be received no later than 5 p.m., Thursday, April 11.

Production recently wrapped in Atlanta on last year’s GMC’s Faith and Family Screenplay Competition winner In the Meantime written by Nzinga Kadalie Kemp. The GMC original World Premiere feature film stars Kali Hawk (Bridesmaids, Couples Retreat), Darrin Dewitt Henson (The Express, “Soul Food”), Terri J. Vaughn (Friday, Daddy’s Little Girls, “Sugar Mommas”), Thomas Mikal Ford (“Martin”), Rodney Perry (Madea’s Big Happy Family), David Mann (Madea’s Big Happy Family, “Meet the Browns”), Tamela Mann (Sparkle, Madea’s Big Happy Family, “Meet the Browns”) and Grammy© -nominated artist Musiq Soulchild in his film debut. In The Meantime is directed and produced by former Tyler Perry Studios executive Roger M. Bobb (Raising Izzie, For Colored Girls, “The Rickey Smiley Show”) and will make its world television premiere on GMC TV in July 2013.

In the inaugural GMC Faith and Family Screenplay Competition, the Grand Prize was presented to writer David Martyn Conley for his original screenplay Raising Izzie, a story of two young orphaned sisters and the caring teacher who changed their lives. Raising Izzie, produced and directed by former ABFF award winner Roger M. Bobb (For Colored Girls, “House of Payne”), was nominated for two NAACP Image Awards and was one of GMC TV’s highest rated originals. Additionally, Raising Izzie child star Kyla Kennedy won a 2012 Gracie Award for her performance in the film. Raising Izzie held its World Premiere at the ABFF Festival in July 2012 and premiered on GMC that same month. Bobb is the only two-time winner of the Best Film Award at the ABFF.

2011’s runner-up winner, Somebody’s Child, an original screenplay written by Siddeeqah Powell, premiered on GMC in August 2012.

ABOUT ABFF
Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. Through its film showcases and special contests, it annually introduces the top echelon of emerging artists to the film and television industry. The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based event marketing, and production and film distribution company founded in 2000 by Jeff Friday (CEO). Visit www.abff.com for more details.

About GMC TV
GMC TV, (www.watchGMCtv.com) based in Atlanta, is America’s favorite network for uplifting music and family entertainment. The network presents original and acquired movies, series, stage plays and music specials along with gMovies, the first faith-friendly streaming movie service. The GMC TV brand is reflected in “Uplift Someone,” the network’s successful pro-social initiative. GMC TV can be seen in more than 61 million homes on various cable systems around the country, as well as DIRECTV on channel 338, DISH Network on channel 188, and Verizon FiOS on channel 224. Follow GMC TV on Facebook and Twitter at http://facebook.com/gmctv and http://twitter.com/gmctv.

Contacts:
Chelsye J. Burrows
770.692.4559
[email protected]

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

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

NEW YORK, NY, March 4, 2013 – Film Life, Inc., the unyielding force behind the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), the premiere film festival for celebrating diversity in cinema, is excited to partner with AMC Theatres^® to raise the stakes and bring a national element to a mainstay competition at the ABFF. Through this alliance, filmmakers who participate in the 17th Annual ABFF Narrative Feature Competition will now be vying for an invaluable opportunity: the theatrical release of their movie in up to 10 U.S. markets. The label will be launched as ABFF AMERICA.

During its nearly two decade run, the ABFF has been known for creating indispensable opportunities for up-and-coming filmmakers through its Narrative Feature Competition, which has always offered localized exhibition for its participants to have their work viewed by approximately 5,000 attendees each year. However, with the introduction of ABFF AMERICA, competitors in the 17th Annual ABFF Narrative Feature Competition will see their film transcend the festival circuit, and be seen by general audiences around the country.

AMC is partnering with the ABFF through the AMC Independent (AMCi) program, which highlights independent films and filmmakers.

“The AMCi program is designed to provide smaller budget films, which don’t have the substantial studio backing, an audience at theatres throughout the country,” said Nikkole Denson-Randolph, vice president of alternative and specialty content. “We’re proud to support film festivals like ABFF, which encourage the continuation of diverse and quality movies, and we’re excited to see the film that we’ll be bringing to our guests.”

In October 2011, CEO of Film Life, Inc. and ABFF founder, Jeff Friday started the Black Movie Month movement (www.blackmoviemonth.com), a call to action to shed light on the unfathomable decline in diversity in theatrically released cinema; then African American storylines only accounted for .08% of the films made in 2011. What Friday, proposed is that with African American’s making up 12% of the movie going population and 195 million trips to the theater each year, more responsibility needs to be taken to ensure that content is created to reflect our stories. Now with ABFF AMERICA’s distribution deal in full swing, Friday has found a way to be an important element in administering a solution for circulating diverse cinema to the mass population.

“I am very optimistic about ABFF AMERICA and looking forward to the partnership with AMCi. One thing I’m sure of is African Americans want to see a broader range of Black films in theaters. There is a tremendous amount of goodwill associated with the ABFF brand and I’m encouraged that people will come out in support of our upcoming releases,” said Jeff Friday, ABFF Founder and CEO of Film Life, Inc.

ABFF’s list of alumni stretches far across the entertainment industry’s diverse circuit, and is inclusive of individuals like producers Rob Hardy and Will Packer (Think Like A Man), Roger M. Bobb (For Colored Girls), director Sylvain White (Stomp The Yard) and most recently Ryan Cooger (Fruitvale) , as well as many others who have gone on to create a vast body of work that adhere to the importance of circulating black film. Rather then smothering the fire, ABFF is a kindling for young up and coming filmmakers with a spark for visual creativity.

With the new opportunities for a distribution deal through ABFF AMERICA now on the table, the deadline for submission to the ABFF Narrative Feature Competition has been extended to March 11, 2013, to allow more filmmakers a chance to participate in this life changing opportunity. Submissions are now being accepted at www.abff.com. Up to five finalists will be selected to screen at the 2013 American Black Film Festival in Miami. One winner will be announced at the “ABFF Awards Presentation,” Saturday, June 22nd.

To Qualify: Entrants must meet the following criteria: Minimum run time of 72 minutes. Must be directed by a person of African descent, tell a story of the Black experience or feature a person of African descent in a leading role. Film must have been completed post January 1, 2012.

How to Submit: To submit your film, log on to www.ABFF.com (the “Website”), click on SUBMIT YOUR FILM and then click on NARRATIVE FEATURES to access the submission form (the “Submission Form”).

Deadline for submissions: March 11, 2013

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

HBO^® (Founding and Premier Sponsor). Cadillac (Premier Sponsor); American Airlines, gmc Networks, CNN and Comcast/NBCUniversal (Official Sponsors); Nielsen and Stella Artois (Supporting Sponsors); Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (Host Sponsors); Media Sponsors: Black Enterprise, Uptown and Upscale.

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is a five-day retreat and international film market dedicated to strengthening the Black filmmaking community. Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. Through its film showcases and special contests, it annually introduces the top echelon of emerging artists to the film and television industry.

The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a multi-facted entertainment company headquarted in New York City. The company was founded in 2001 by Jeff Friday, a veteran of the consumer product marketing and advertising industries. While best known for creating the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), Film Life’s operations center on developing/licensing innovative content across all forms of media and providing strategic advisory services to a wide range of companies in the entertainment, media and consumer product industries.

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

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

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

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

Macy’s, in partnership with The Gordon Parks Foundation and the American Black Film Festival, honors Gordon Parks with a series of special events at select Macy’s stores nationwide

NEW YORK, NY, February 4, 2013 – From one icon to another, this February, Macy’s, an American retail institution salutes American cultural hero Gordon Parks in celebration of Black History Month. Via special events and exhibits at select stores across the country, Macy’s will honor the legacy of this artistic master who chronicled and defined a generation and whose work continues to inspire artists today.

A humanitarian with a deep commitment to social justice, Gordon Parks was one of the seminal figures of twentieth century photography. From the early 1940s until his death in 2006, Parks created a body of work that documents many of the most important aspects of American culture, with a focus on race relations, poverty, Civil Rights and urban life. In addition, Parks was a celebrated composer, author and filmmaker who interacted with many of the most prominent people of his era-from politicians and artists to celebrities and athletes. He was also a noted composer and author, and in 1969 became the first African American to write and direct a Hollywood feature film based on his bestselling novel The Learning Tree. This was followed in 1971 by the hugely successful motion picture Shaft.

“Macy’s is thrilled to partner with The Gordon Parks Foundation and the American Black Film Festival to honor the legacy and work of famed artistic master Gordon Parks,” said Dineen Garcia, Macy’s vice-president of Diversity Strategies. “Exemplary Americans like Gordon Parks serve to inspire generations with a rich legacy of achievement that cross boundaries and continue to inform and inspire the work of those who follow in their footsteps. From photography to film and music, Gordon Parks is the perfect American hero to honor during Black History Month celebrations at Macy’s.”

“The Gordon Parks Foundation is pleased to partner with Macy’s to celebrate the centennial of Gordon Parks for Black History Month. Parks’ genius was based on the respect and trust he brought to his subjects not only through the lens of his camera but through his own personal story. Macy’s is committed to keeping icons like Gordon Parks in the public eye to inspire future generations,” said Peter W. Kunhardt, Jr. executive director, The Gordon Parks Foundation.

“The American Black Film Festival is honored to be a part of the celebration of Gordon Parks,” said Jeff Friday, CEO of The Film Life Inc., and founder of the American Black Film Festival. “Gordon Parks had a profound impact on the arts as the first African-American to work at LIFE Magazine and the first to write, direct and score a Hollywood film (Shaft, 1971). He was a true renaissance man; a celebrated photographer, musician, writer, and film director who captured some of America’s most captivating images and told some of American history’s most compelling stories through his lens. We are proud to be part of this tribute to him this Black History Month.”

Gordon Parks: Black American Icon events at Macy’s will consist of a variety of celebrations. Featuring photographic installations Gordon Parks’ iconic images, “In Conversation” events moderated by representatives from The Gordon Parks Foundation and American Black Film Festival, The Learning Tree children’s events, and Soul Jam music, dance presentations; Macy’s stores will examine, honor and celebrate the many arts-based accomplishments of this unique American icon. Taking place at fourteen Macy’s locations nationwide including stores in Atlanta, Bowie, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., each store will offer one or more of these event elements. The “In Conversation” discussions will focus on Gordon Parks’ influence on film and the future of African-American cinema. Featured speakers at select locations will include actors Omari Hardwick (For Colored Girls…, Sparkle), Eriq La Salle (ER), Lamman Rucker (Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns, Why Did I Get Married?), Terrell Tilford (Soul Food, One Life To Live), Malinda Williams (A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Soul Food) and Malik Yoba (NY Undercover, Why Did I Get Married?).

The children’s Learning Tree events held in conjunction with The Reading Circle, will highlight Parks’ literary life as children build their own unique books. Finally, the artist’s musical legacy will get the party started with special Soul Jam events geared towards a younger generation. Featuring DJ’s and dancers, the Soul Jam sessions will highlight the Shaft era in music for a new audience.

From February 1-28, visitors to macys.com/celebrate will be offered the opportunity to enter for the chance to win a trip for two to the American Black Film Festival in Miami and a $1000 Macy’s shopping spree courtesy of American Airlines. (Please visit www.macys.com/celebrate for complete entry rules or visit the event store for more information).

Below are the stores and select event information for Macy’s – Gordon Parks: Black American Icon celebrations:

Macy’s Herald Square – New York, NY – February 7th
Macy’s Pleasanton Stoneridge – San Francisco, CA – February 8th
Macy’s Downtown Brooklyn – New York, NY – February 9th
Macy’s Baldwin Hills – Los Angeles, CA – February 9th
Macy’s Northland Center – Detroit, MI – February 9th
Macy’s Center City – Philadelphia, PA – February 13th
Macy’s State Street – Chicago, IL – February 14th
Macy’s Lenox Square – Atlanta, GA – February 16th
Macy’s Metro Center – Washington, D.C. – February 21st
Macy’s Union Square – San Francisco, CA – February 21st
Macy’s Galleria at Hidalgo – Houston, TX – February 21st
Macy’s Downtown Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh, PA – February 23rd
Macy’s Bowie Town Center – Bowie, MD – February 23rd
Macy’s Aventura – Miami, FL – February 23rd

For a complete listing of Macy’s Black History Month events, please visit www.macys.com/celebrate.

About Macy’s
Macy’s, the largest retail brand of Macy’s, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy’s stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy’s is known for such epic events as Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks^® and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade^®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy’s helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of our customers.

For Macy’s media materials, images and contacts, please visit our online pressroom at www.macys.com/pressroom.

About The Gordon Parks Foundation
The Gordon Parks Foundation permanently preserves the work of Gordon Parks, makes it available to the public through exhibitions, books, and electronic media and supports artistic and educational activities that advance what Gordon described as “the common search for a better life and a better world.” The Foundation is a division of the Meserve-Kunhardt Foundation. gordonparksfoundation.org

CONTACT: Orlando Veras
646-429-7450
[email protected]

NBCUniversal returns as competition sponsor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deadline for submissions: March 15, 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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