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American Black Film Festival to Open Its 25th Year with Warner Bros. Pictures’ King Richard

Starring Will Smith in the title role, with Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn and Jon Bernthal

LOS ANGELES, CA, (October 15, 2021) – ABFF Ventures LLC announced today that the 2021 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) will open its milestone 25th year with Warner Bros. Pictures’ eagerly anticipated film King Richard. The expanded 2021 festival will be available as a worldwide digital experience November 3-28 via its online platform ABFF PLAY. King Richard will be available by special invitation to a limited audience.

King Richard stars two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith, who also is the film’s producer, as Richard Williams, the determined father of Venus and Serena Williams. The story follows the journey of their family, whose unwavering resolve and unconditional belief ultimately creates two of the world’s greatest sports legends. Also starring are Aunjanue Ellis as the girls’ mom, Oracene Wlliams, Saniyya Sidney as Venus Williams and Demi Singleton as Serena Williams, with Tony Goldwyn and Jon Bernthal as coaches Paul Cohen and Rick Macci. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (Monsters and Men) from a script written by Zach Baylin, King Richard will be released in U.S. theaters and stream exclusively on HBO Max, November 19.

“It is with pride and excitement that we mark our 25th year opening with Warner Bros.’ King Richard, a film that is a touchstone of ABFF’s legacy of showcasing extraordinary Black talent and inspiring storytelling reflecting the brilliance of diversity in Hollywood,” said Nicole Friday, president and general manager, ABFF Ventures LLC. “We’re especially gratified to have the film’s director, Reinaldo Marcus Green, a previous finalist in HBO’s prestigious Short Film Competition, return to ABFF as feature film director — demonstrating the importance of the HBO pipeline in advancing the careers of Black artists. This event is simply a grand slam on every level.”

“Having King Richard at ABFF this year is truly a full circle moment,” stated Reinaldo Marcus Green. “Back in 2013, my short film Stone Cars, that I made while studying at NYU screened in competition and was distributed on HBO — so opening up the festival for ABFF’s 25th anniversary means a lot to me. It’s an absolute honor to return this year with our film. Thank you to Warner Bros. and the whole filmmaking team, the family we built on set, the Williams family for allowing us to tell their groundbreaking story and, of course, our wonderful crew and cast led by none other than Mr. Will Smith.”

ABFF 2021 worldwide virtual experience will include over 100 independent films from 35 countries, spotlight screenings, talks and networking events featuring creators, artists and industry executives. Access to the festival is free. To register, visit https://www.abff.com/.

ABFF sponsors to date include Warner Media, HBO® (Founding) Cadillac, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Amazon Studios (Presenting); Comcast NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, American Airlines, AT&T, Facebook, IMDb (Premier); ALLBLK, HBOMax, City of Miami Beach, Netflix, Prudential Financial, TBS, Yahoo!, Starz, Warner Bros, Disney, National Geographic, and Variety (Official) Accenture, AspireTV, Motion Picture Association (MPA), Morgan Stanley, OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) (Supporting). Media partners include BIN: Black Information Network, TheGrio and Rolling Out

For festival information visit and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook. Join in on the conversation by using #ABFF. For information about media credentials, visit https://www.abff.com/pressroom/.

ABOUT KING RICHARD
Armed with a clear vision and a brazen 78-page plan, Richard Williams is determined to write his daughters, Venus and Serena, into history. Training on the abandoned tennis courts of Compton, California, rain or shine, the girls are shaped by their father’s unyielding commitment and their mother’s balanced perspective and keen intuition, defying the seemingly insurmountable odds and prevailing expectations laid before them.

The film is produced by Tim White and Trevor White’s Star Thrower Entertainment and Will Smith’s own banner, Westbrook. Isha Price, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, James Lassiter, Jada Pinkett Smith, Adam Merims, Lynn Harris, Allan Mandelbaum, Jon Mone and Peter Dodd are the executive producers.

King Richard is a Warner Bros. Pictures Presentation, A Star Thrower Entertainment Production, A Westbrook Production and A Keepin’ It Reel Production and will be released in U.S. theaters and on HBO Max via the Ad-Free plan on November 19, 2021; it will be available on HBO Max for 31 days from theatrical release.

ABOUT ABFF
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to recognizing Black talent and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Dedicated 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 entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration. Now in its 25th year, the festival has become a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood, providing a platform for emerging Black artists – many of whom have become today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC, a division of Jeff Friday Media (JFM).

Media Contact:

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

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Finalists Announced for the 2021 American Black Film Festival’s Annual HBO® Short Film Competition

Emerging And Established Filmmakers Bring Innovative Storytelling And Diverse Perspectives To This Year’s Virtual Festival

HBO announced today their selection of finalists who will compete in ABFF’s 24th annual HBO® Short Film Competition. The 25th milestone festival will be hosted on ABFF PLAY, its custom-built online platform from November 3-28. Continuing with the festival’s tradition, the online global event will include a line-up of independent films, network and studio previews and talk events. The HBO® Short Film Competition is regarded as one of the most prestigious short film showcases in the country.

This year’s five finalists, Lin Que Ayoung (“Cracked”), Omar S. Kamara (“Mass Ave”), Natalie Jasmine Harris (“Pure”), Michelle Beck (“The Snakes”), and Phumi Morare (“When The Sun Sets”) are emerging directors with diverse styles and sensibilities from across the United States. Prior winners include Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther”), Steven Caple Jr. (“Creed II”), Kiel Adrian Scott (“The Bobby Brown Story”), Saladin K. Patterson (“The Big Bang Theory”) and Ben Watkins (“Burn Notice”).

“As a founding sponsor, HBO continues to share ABFF’s mission of elevating the dynamic world of Black film and providing a space for talented newcomers in the industry,” said Dennis Williams, Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, WarnerMedia. “We proudly continue this tradition by uplifting fresh, thought-provoking, and unique voices that move the needle in culture.”

“The HBO Short Film Competition continues to be the industry-leading platform to showcase, reward and empower emerging Black storytellers,” said Jeff Friday, Founder ABFF Ventures LLC and CEO Jeff Friday Media (JFM). We are extremely proud of our 24-year partnership with the HBO/WarnerMedia team and look forward to expanding our work in support of content creators of color.”

HBO has been a founding sponsor of ABFF since 1998 and is dedicated to furthering ABFF’s mission to showcase quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Each film in this category will compete for ABFF’s HBO® Short Film Award and a prize of $10,000 for the winner and $5,000 for each of the finalists. Access to this year’s festival is free. To register and view content, including the HBO® Short Film Competition, hosted by Bevy Smith (Sirius XM’s Bevelations), go to www.abff.com. The winner will be announced during the Best of the ABFF Awards Presentation on Sunday, November 28, 2021. ABFF is proud to be a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards® Short Film Awards.

The list of films in competition are listed below:

SHORT FILM FINALISTS
The following films are the 2021 official selections in the HBO® Short Film Competition, now in its 24th year.

CRACKED
2021 | USA | 15:34 min
Written, Directed & Produced by: Lin Que Ayoung

Logline: It’s the end of the summer of 1985 in Queens, New York City. Toya, a feisty young girl, falls in love for the first time. After a series of disturbing events, Toya’s affection for Poochy compels her to face her traumatic past.

Cast: Tatum Marilyn Hall, Meliki Hurd, Kizzmett Pringle, Dwayne R Grant, Paris Crayton III, Destinee Mikayla Henry, Bonnie Schneider, Kamal Ani-Bellow, Zonia Edward, Simone McCrear, Ange Musoni, Ka’Ress Pringle-Wishner, Avondre E.D. Beverley, Zaydin Gordon, Felix Alexis, Mino Jones

MASS AVE
2021 | USA | 20:51 min
Directed by: Omar S. Kamara
Written by: Omar S. Kamara, Jalmer Caceres
Produced by: Guo Guo

Logline: Over a day of landscaping work, a first-generation African American and his immigrant father have their tense relationship and different outlooks on life transformed irreversibly when they are racially profiled by police.

Cast: Benjamin A. Onyango, Omete Anassi

PURE
2021 | USA | 12:29 min
Written & Directed by: Natalie Jasmine Harris
Produced by: Natalie Jasmine Harris, Natalie Holley, Alexyss Robinson

Logline: On the eve of her cotillion ball, a young Black girl grapples with her queer identity and questions her purity. Website: https://www.purethefilm.org/

Cast: Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew, Jacob Daniel Smith, Josca Moore, Aaron Casey, Yohance Burton, Jonathon Munez, Kyle Price, Jamon Adams, Rennee Harrison, Tianne Johnson

THE SNAKES
2021 | USA | 14:12 min
Directed & Written by: Michelle Beck
Produced by: Michelle Beck, Mara Alcaly, Clea Alsip

Logline: In an alternate future, surrounded by a culture of fear, a young Black woman channels her rage through violent fantasies.

Cast: Carra Patterson, James Wallert, Michael A McGrath, Jacob Ming-Trent, Stacey Sargeant, Nilja Sun

WHEN THE SUN SETS
2019 | South Africa | 14 min
Directed & Written by: Phumi Morare
Produced by: Christine H. Cho

Logline: A young, black nurse living in 1985 apartheid South Africa must face her worst fears when she learns that her activist, younger brother may be in danger when he doesn’t return after school.

Cast: Zikhona Bali, Aphiwe Mkefe, Thembekile Mathe, Awonke Mtonjana, Quinne Brown, Lumkile Mkwalo, Morne Van Jaarsveld, Ryan Angilly

Photos: Here

ABFF SOCIAL MEDIA:

ABFF sponsors to date include Warner Media, HBO® (Founding) Cadillac, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Presenting) Comcast NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, American Airlines, AT&T (Premier) ALLBLK, HBOMax, City of Miami Beach, Netflix, Prudential Financial, TBS, Yahoo!, Warner Bros, and Variety (Official) Accenture, AspireTV, Motion Picture Association (MPA) (Supporting). Media partners include TheGrio and Rolling Out.

ABOUT HBO
HBO® is one of the most respected and innovative entertainment brands in the world, serving iconic, award-winning programming through the HBO linear channels and the direct-to-consumer streaming platform, HBO Max®. Internationally, HBO-branded services are available in more than 85 countries across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. A part 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 television titles, including dramas like “Succession,” “Watchmen,” “Westworld,” “Big Little Lies,” “Game of Thrones,” “The Sopranos,” “Band of Brothers” and “The Wire,” as well as comedy series “Barry,” “Insecure” and “Sex and the City”.

ABOUT ABFF
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to recognizing Black talent and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Dedicated 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 entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration. Now in its 25th year, the festival has become a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood, providing a platform for emerging Black artists – many of whom have become today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC, a division of Jeff Friday Media (JFM).

CONTACTS:

Mellony Torres
HBO Max
[email protected]

Courtney Wheeler
HBO Max
[email protected]

Chelsye J. Burrows
ABFF
[email protected]
For additional press materials, please visit: https://www.abff.com/pressroom/

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The 25th American Black Film Festival Shifts to an Online Global Event

Full Schedule of Independent Screenings, Talks and Industry Panels Will Be Available Complimentary

LOS ANGELES, CA, (August 26, 2021) – The 2021 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) will shift from a hybrid to a totally virtual event, it was announced today by Jeff Friday Media (JFM) and ABFF Ventures LLC. The festival, which runs November 3 to 14, 2021, will be available digitally via its custom-designed online platform ABFFPlay.com (https://abffplay.com) providing global access for artists, movie enthusiasts and audiences to come together to celebrate ABFF’s 25th year of showcasing the best in Black cinema and television.

Over the course of the twelve-day festival, ABFF’s complete lineup of independent films, network and studio previews, panels, master classes and other virtual experiences will be streamed on its platform with select content available via Facebook and various social media platforms. The festival, along with its local partners, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Miami Beach, will activate film-related happenings throughout the year for the South Florida community.

“As we were enthusiastically planning our 25th anniversary celebration and return to Miami Beach, we couldn’t ignore the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and now the Delta variant. Our national health crisis is at the forefront of our minds and we must responsively adapt. For the health and safety of our attendees, supporters and staff, we’ve made the difficult decision to pivot to a virtual event this year,” said Jeff Friday, CEO Jeff Friday Media and founder, ABFF Ventures LLC. “Despite this change, our programming will not be compromised, We are pleased to present ABFF 2021 as a free, worldwide digital experience and we look forward to watching and enjoying this year’s festival as much as ever!”

“ABFF 25 will not disappoint on our promise to deliver inspiring and dynamic programs,” added Nicole Friday, president, ABFF Ventures LLC. “With our unique global broadcast platform, we celebrate our 25-year journey of uplifting voices, sharing the talent of hundreds of artists and fostering a stronger Black entertainment community. We are grateful to our outstanding corporate sponsors and partners for their unwavering support of ABFF and its important mission over the years.”

The festival previously announced its 2021 official selections — an impressive collection of films and web series by emerging and established artists from countries including Brazil, South Africa, Canada, Namibia, the United Kingdom and the USA. Film producer and ABFF alumnus Will Packer (Girls Trip, Ride Along), as the festival’s 2021 Jury President, will oversee the voting process.

ABFF attracts an increasingly broad audience, which has grown with virtual access and wants to continue the momentum. In 2020, over 54,000 people representing over 90 countries attended the festival via ABFF PLAY. In previous years, the festival has attracted approximately 10,000 celebrity talent, emerging artists, upscale consumers and industry stakeholders to travel to Miami Beach for the annual live event.

ABFF sponsors to date include HBO® (Founding) WarnerMedia, Cadillac, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Presenting) Comcast NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, American Airlines, AT&T, ALLBLK (Premier) City of Miami Beach, Netflix, Yahoo!, Variety (Official) Accenture, Motion Picture Association (MPA) (Supporting). Media partners include TheGrio and Rolling Out.

For festival information, visit https://www.abff.com/miami/ and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook. Join in on the conversation by using #ABFF.

ABOUT ABFF
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to recognizing Black talent and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Dedicated 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 entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration. Now in its 25th year, the festival has become a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood, providing a platform for emerging Black artists – many of whom have become today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians.

ABOUT JEFF FRIDAY MEDIA
Jeff Friday Media (JFM) is a Los Angeles-based entertainment company producing events, film and television focused on Black and Brown culture. Its mission is to create live experiences and content that convey aspects of humanity and achievement often dismissed or overlooked, in the portrayal of people of color in popular entertainment. As part of its formation, JFM acquired ABFF Ventures LLC, an organization recognized in the Hollywood community for creating platforms that showcase and promote distinctive Black and Brown talent. Its tent-pole properties are the American Black Film Festival and ABFF Honors, both founded by JFM CEO Jeff Friday. In 2020, JFM secured a motion picture development deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment and launched ABFF PLAY, a live and on-demand streaming service featuring free and pay-per-view content. JFM recently announced a scripted television partnership with Endeavor Content and POV.

MEDIA CONTACT:

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

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The ABFF Announces 2021 Official Film Selections In Competition for its Milestone 25th Year

Submissions Represent Six Countries, Over Half Are from First-Time Directors

LOS ANGELES, CA, (August 16, 2021) – Jeff Friday Media (JFM) announced today the lineup of official films in competition for its milestone 25th American Black Film Festival (ABFF). Consistent with the festival’s mission to showcase Black talent and to discover new voices, this year’s impressive range of films are produced by emerging and established artists from six countries including Brazil, South Africa, Canada, Namibia, the United Kingdom and the USA.

This year’s festival will be presented with live events and virtual screenings to be held November 3-14 on the ABFF’s custom-built online platform, abffplay.com (https://abffplay.com/), reaching a global audience.

“It is with a great sense of pride that we mark our 25th year. ABFF started in 1997 with a mission to present the work of Black storytellers and to change the face of Hollywood. We came together as a small and driven group of 90 people. Today, the festival is a global platform with a dedicated audience of movie enthusiasts, artists, and filmmakers from around the world. We look forward to continuing our unwavering commitment to diversify Hollywood and amplify Black culture,” said Jeff Friday, CEO, JFM.

The ABFF competitive categories include narrative features, documentaries and webisodes with a combined total cash prize of $20,000 sponsored by festival partners. The slate of films, include:

NARRATIVE FEATURES (U.S. & International)
A competitive section for U.S. and International feature-length films directed by or written and produced by persons of African descent. Films in this category are eligible to be nominated to compete for the following Jury Awards – Best Director (presented by Cadillac, $5,000 prize), Best Narrative Feature (presented by Sony, $2,500 cash prize), and Best Screenplay ($2,500 cash prize). In addition, if a person of African descent has directed a film in this section and it is his/her first feature, they will be eligible to compete for the John Singleton Award for Best First Feature (presented by Netflix, $5,000 cash prize).The following films represent the 2021 official selections in the Narrative Features category:

A Message from Brianna
When an African American couple move into their new home, their 2-year-old daughter becomes a terrifying messenger from the other side.
USA | 80 min
Director: DeShon Hardy
Writer: DeShon Hardy
Producers: DeShon Hardy, Vernon Davis
Cast: Vernon Davis, Asia’h Epperson, Kevin Benton, Liana Kristina Mayer-Reinach, Adaisha Strong, Stan J. Adams, Brittany Beckett, Amanda Felix, Leigh Bodden, Mohamed Sanu, Brittany Geertgens, Rita Bacot, Ethan Henderson, Robert Epstein, Tracy Oliver

B-Boy Blues *World Premiere
Class and culture clash when a college-educated journalist from Brooklyn and a homeboy bike messenger from Harlem fall in love.
USA | 106 min
Director: Jussie Smollett
Writers: James Earl Hardy, Jussie Smollett
Producers: Jussie Smollett, Madia Hill Scott
Cast: Timothy Richardson, Thomas Mackie, Landon G. Woodson, Brandee Evans, Michael Jackson Jr., Jabari Redd, Heather B., Brian Lucas, Jahleel Kamara, Broderick Hunter, Derrick Downey, Marquise Vilson, Otis Winston, Bry’Nt, Eric R. Williams, Tieisha Thomas, Shawn Sutton, Andre Virgo, Anthony Virgo, Mariama Diallo, Ilara Phoenix Williams, Sampson McCormick, Ledisi

Doctor Gama *U.S. Premiere
The history of Luiz Gama, the most important abolitionist leader in Brazil.
BRAZIL | 92 min
Director: Jeferson De
Writer: Luiz Antonio
Producers: Egisto Betti, Heitor Dhalia, Manoel Rangel, Pedro Betti, Cris Arenas, Cacá Digues
Cast: César Mello, Zezé Motta, Mariana Nunes, Angelo Fernandes

I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking)
When a recently widowed mother becomes houseless, she convinces her 8-year-old daughter that they are only camping for fun while working to get them off the streets.
USA | 90 min
Directors: Kelley Kali, Angelique Molina
Writers: Kelley Kali, Angelique Molina, Roma Kong
Producers: Roma Kong, Angelique Molina, Kelley Kali, Capella Fahoome, Deon Cole
Cast: Kelley Kali, Wesley Moss, Deon Cole

Liam White *Festival Premiere
A novelist who is told he has a few months to live is forced to come to grips with his life thus far and reflect on the people who shaped him, for better and worse.
USA | 87 min
Director: Harold Jackson III
Writer: Harold Jackson III
Producers: Wendy Anderson, Tawanna Terrell, Harold Jackson, Kiyoka Rhodes
Cast: Shaun Woodland, Jasmine Guy, Terrence “TC” Carson, Brave Williams

Margarine *World Premiere
A short-tempered, trigger-happy gun fiend terrorizes his community until he meets a charming girl named Margarine who drives him to question his ways.
SOUTH AFRICA | 115 min
Director: Thabo Khambule
Writer: Thabo Khambule
Producers: Carmel Khambule, Bheki Ncube, Thabo Khambule
Cast: Finito Bullet, Mammy Manique, Linda Sobezo, Motsoaledi Setumo, Themba Mkhoma, Sibonakaliso Nqabadi, Thapelo Mooki, Precious Nxumalo, Banele Sibisi, Thembeni Joni, Kamvaletho Tshabala, Kabelo Molefe, Sibusiso Makqate

No Running
A Black high school student finds himself under suspicion following his classmate’s mysterious disappearance.
USA | 85 min
Director: Delmar Washington
Writer: Tucker Morgan
Producers: Eric B. Fleischman, Maurice Fadida
Cast: Skylan Brooks, Rutina Wesley, Taryn Manning, Diamond White, Shane West, Bill Engvall

The Outlaw Johnny Black *Festival Premiere
From the brothers who brought you Black Dynamite, comes a western adventure that’s sho’ outta sight!
USA | 130 min
Director: Michael Jai White
Writers: Michael Jai White, Byron Minns
Producer: Donovan de Boer
Cast: Michael Ja White, Anika Noni Rose, Byron Minns, Erika Ash, Chris Browning, Kevin Chapman, Tommy Davidson, Kym Whitley, Randy Couture, Barry Bostwick, Glynn Turman

Trees of Peace
When four women from different backgrounds and beliefs are trapped and hiding during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, their 81-day fight for survival forges an unbreakable sisterhood (inspired by true events).
USA | 137 minutes
Director: Alanna Brown
Writer: Alanna Brown
Producers: Ron Ray, Barry Levine, Mike Bundlie, Brian Baniqued, Jeff Spiegel, Vicky Petela, Alanna Brown
Cast: Eliane Umuhire, Charmaine Bingwa, Bola Koleosho, Ella Cannon, Tongayi Chirisa

Voodoo Macbeth
In 1936 Harlem, the first all-Black cast production of Macbeth struggles to make it to opening night amid the downward spiral of their young and untested director — Orson Welles.
USA | 108 min
Directors: Dagmawi Abebe, Victor Alonso-Berbel, Roy Arwas, Hannah Bang, Christopher Beaton, Agazi Desta, Tiffany Kontoyiannis Guillen, Zoë Salnave, Ernesto Sandoval, Sabina Vajraca
Writers: Agazi Desta, Jennifer Frazin, Morgan Milender, Molly Miller, Amri Rigby, Joel David Satner, Erica Sutherlin, Chris Tarricone
Producers: Jason Phillips, Miles Alva, Xiaoyuan Xiao
Cast: Inger Tudor, Jewell Wilson Bridges, Jeremy Tardy, June Schreiner, Wrekless Watson, Gary McDonald, Ashli Haynes, Daniel Kuhlman, Hunter Bodine

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
A competitive section for nonfiction feature films directed by persons of African descent or centered on the culture and experiences of persons of African descent. Films in this category are eligible to be nominated to compete for the Jury Award for Best Documentary. The cash prize for this award is $2,500. The following films represent the 2021 official selections in the Documentary Features category:

100 Years From Mississippi *Festival Premiere
100 Years From Mississippi is a documentary on the life of Mamie Lang Kirkland, a 111-year-old African American woman who experienced and survived racial terrorism, segregation, bigotry and bias, and yet continued to have hope, joy and love of life, full of the certainty that we can do better.
USA | 60 min
Director: Tarabu Betserai Kirkland
Writer: Tarabu Betserai Kirkland
Producers: Tarabu Betserai Kirkland, Gina Rugolo Judd

Anatomy of Wings
Black and white, young and old, a group of women risk their personal identities to build a second family while creating a documentary film across the inequities of their Baltimore city neighborhoods.
USA | 85 min
Directors: Nikiea Redmond, Kirsten D’Andrea Hollander
Producers: Kirsten D’Andrea Hollander, Nikiea Redmond
Cast: Brittany Backmon, Teshavionna ‘Tazz’ Mitchell, Sheila Butler, Marquise Weems, Brienna Brown, Danisha Harris, Cami McCrief, Tywana Reid, Quandra Jones, Quanisha Carmichael, Cinnamon Triano, Kata Frederick

Big Chief, Black Hawk *World Premiere
A short and intimate look into the life of the youngest Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief in New Orleans and his “tribe” as they navigate the social and environmental issues facing “the culture.”
USA | 74 min
Director: Jonathan Isaac Jackson
Writer: Jonathan Isaac Jackson
Producer: Paul V. Fishback
Cast: Terrance Williams Jr., Tyrell “Ty” Williams, Simeon “Fatman” Israel Jr., Dow Edwards, Joseph Boudreaux Jr.

Little Satchmo *U.S. Premiere
Louis Armstrong is iconic — a symbol of musical genius and unparalleled success. Yet he was more than a caricature; in private, he held dearly to what he loved. Perhaps dearest was a child whom he hid from the world: a daughter sworn to a life of secrecy until now.
USA | 61 min
Director: John Alexander
Writer: John Alexander
Producers: Lea Umberger, JC Guest
Cast: Sharon Preston – Folta

The Neutral Ground
The Neutral Ground documents New Orleans’ fight over monuments and America’s troubled romance with the Lost Cause.
USA | 82 min
Director: CJ Hunt
Writers: CJ Hunt, Jane Geisler, James Hamilton
Producer: Darcy McKinnon

Subjects of Desire *Festival Premiere
Subjects of Desire is a thought-provoking feature documentary that examines the cultural shift in beauty standards towards embracing Black aesthetics and features.
CANADA | 103 min
Director: Jennifer Holness
Writer: Jennifer Holness
Producers: Jennifer Holness, Sudz Sutherland
Cast: Ryann Richardson, Alexandra Germain, Seraiah Nicole, Brittany Lewis, Jully Black, Rachel Dolezal, Dr. Cheryl Thompson, Dr. Carolyn West, Dr. Heather Widdows, India Arie

Unzipped: An Autopsy of American Inequality *World Premiere
An intimate and heartbreaking film about the affordable housing crisis in America told through the prism of one ZIP Code’s struggle with the growing income divide.
USA | 108 min
Director: Colin K. Gray
Writer: Colin K. Gray
Producers: Megan Raney Aarons, Jamila C. Fairley, Carol Gronner, Colin K. Gray
Cast: Nikol Williams, DeShawn Huff, William Attaway, Rayanne Schmidt, Monica Perez, Eric Garcetti, Mike Bonin, Mark Ridley-Thomas, Naomi Nightingale, Va Lecia Adams Kellum, Elizabeth Benson Forer, Becky Dennison, Miguel Bravo, Rick Massie, Mark Ryavec, Ananya Roy, Coley King, Kristina Von Hoffman, M.B. Boissonnault

Why Is We Americans? *World Premiere
A portrait of the iconoclastic poet Amiri Baraka, his family, and their legacy of social activism, poetry, music, art and politics.
USA | 101 min
Directors: Udi Aloni, Ayana Stafford-Morris
Writer: Udi Aloni
Producers: Udi Aloni, Ayana Stafford-Morris, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Oren Moverman
Cast: Amiri Baraka, Ras Baraka, Amina Baraka, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Amandla Baraka, Cory Booker, Amiri Baraka Jr., Roxanne Shanté, Maya Angelou

WEB SERIES
A competitive section for short-form episodic television directed by or produced and written by persons of African descent. Each series in this section will compete for the Jury Award for Best Web Series (presented by Comcast NBCUniversal,$2,500 cash prize). The following are the 2021 official selections in the Web Series category:

Sidetracked: “A Trollop?” (Ep. 9) *World Premiere
Our thirties are supposed to be the time to get our act together, find our true purpose and meet our soul mate, but some of us got a little SIDETRACKED.
USA | 15 min
Director: Miles Crawford
Writer: E.D. Brown
Producers: E.D. Brown, Marc Chenil, Miles Crawford
Cast: Tracie Thoms, Jason Kelley, Wes Ramsey, Jim Holdridge, Jee Young Han, E.D. Brown

True Story: “I Feel” *World Premiere
A Black therapist attempts to persuade his patient, who has a history of violence, into saying how he feels.
USA | 13 min
Director: Matthew Law
Writer: Matthew Law
Producers: Grasie Mercedes, Rob Smith, Matthew Law, Shaun Clay
Cast: Shaun Clay, Matthew Law

No Church In The Wild: “Traitor”
A failed escape attempt turns Leslie Wagner-Wilson into an outcast inside of a spiraling cult.
CANADA | 6 min
Director: Richmond Obeng
Writers: Richmond Obeng, Lindsey Addawoo
Producers: Richmond Obeng, Aramide Tinubu, Lindsey Addawoo
Cast: Leslie Wagner-Wilson

Maternally Yours *Festival Premiere
A young woman’s identity is compromised when her parents’ past collides with the present and family secrets are revealed.
USA | 10 min
Director: Nicole Collins
Writers: Tomaseena Auzenne, Angel Saunders
Producers: Khadijah Louis, April Riles, The Dark Brothers
Cast: Brionne Collins, Lance Nichols, Ariadne Josephs, Cynyon Rodriguez, Ju’Marcus Mason, Nicoye Banks, Hira-Maja Dupas, Jessica Johnson

ArtBroken
A mockumentary following Los Angeles-based visual artist Sabina on her journey of self-destruction during the global pandemic.
USA | 5 min
Director: Erin Wesley
Writer: Bianca Cristovao
Producer: Bianca Cristovao
Cast: Bianca Cristovao, Niles Abston, Jessica Mulder, Heremela Kebede

Walking Forward
An artist gains lessons in resilience while exploring the impact of COVID-19 on Namibia’s creative sector.
NAMIBIA | 6 min
Directors: Tim Huebschle, Ndinomholo Ndilula
Writer: Ndinomholo Ndilula
Producers: Tim Huebschle, David Benade
Cast: Ndinomholo Ndilula, Kulan Ganes, Slick Upindi

The Hero of a Thousand Faces *World Premiere
Capt. Barrington Irving, Guiness Book of World Records holder for the youngest man to fly around the world and the first Black man to fly around the world, speaks about his upbringing and the adversity that made him successful.
USA | 10 min
Directors: Fabien Cardenas, Gabriel Andrews
Writers: Fabien Cardenas, Michael Anderson, Gabriel Andrews
Producers: Michael Anderson, Gabriel Andrews
Cast: Captain Barrington Irving (as himself)

Second Hand (Ep. 2) *Festival Premiere
Two sisters bump heads while moving out of their childhood home.
USA | 5 min
Director: R. Cadell Cook
Writer: R. Cadell Cook
Producers: Melan Perez, R. Cadell Cook
Cast: Melan Perez, Alexis J. Smith, Tennyson Harris

Ms/Manage
A queer, Black professional attempts to navigate the challenges of breaking the glass ceiling in corporate America while fielding pressure from her partner to start a family.
USA | 13 min
Director: Caralene Robinson
Writers: Caralene Robinson, Nina Simone Moore, Angele Cooper
Producers: Angela Burris, Nina Simone Moore
Cast: Skye Johnson, Adwoa Duncan-Williams, Lark Eiko, Zen Dot, Petra Wakowski, Siobhán Carroll, Keisha Beaumont, Kelsey Senteio, Stuart Riggs, Jeff Marshall, Ladonna Gooden, Yvette Ganie

Last Bodega In Brooklyn (Ep. 1) *World Premiere
A Brooklyn family must band together to save their bodega and neighborhood from a new organics store owner.
USA | 6 min
Directors: Mosiah Moonsammy, Jared Glenn
Writer: Mosiah Moonsammy
Producer: Mosiah Moonsammy
Cast: Mosiah Moonsammy, Toni Lachelle Pollit, Jeffrey C. Wolf, Tay Harris, Peter Bowden

Talia Versus: “Talia Vs Wedding” (Ep. 1)
A mockumentary series that follows the awkward encounters of the audacious Talia as she versus love and life in London.
UK | 7 min
Director: Saraphina Mattis, Israel Peters
Writer: Saraphina Mattis
Producers: Kashif Boothe, Sacha Lewis
Cast: Princess Donnough, Kamilah Shorey, Adesuwa Oni, Leonie Haynes-Moses, Jamal Renaldo, Elliot Elimasi

Finalists for the 24th HBO Short Film Competition, as well as ABFF’S non-competitive sections including “World Showcase, “Emerging Directors and “ABFF Pride” will be announced later. Film producer and ABFF alumnus Will Packer (Girls Trip, Ride Along), as the festival’s 2021Jury President, will oversee the voting process.

ABFF attracts a broad audience – approximately 10,000 celebrity talent, emerging artists, upscale consumers and industry stakeholders, travel to Miami Beach each year for the live event. In 2020, over 54,000 additional people representing over 90 countries attended the festival via ABFFPLAY.

ABFF Sponsors to date include HBO® (Founding); WarnerMedia, Cadillac, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Presenting); Comcast NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, American Airlines (Premier); ALLBLK, City of Miami Beach, Netflix, Yahoo!, Variety (Official); Accenture, Motion Picture Association (MPA) (Supporting). Media partners include TheGrio and Rolling Out.

For festival information, visit www.abff.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook. Join in on the conversation by using #ABFF.

ABOUT ABFF
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to recognizing Black talent and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Dedicated 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 entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration. Now in its 25th year, the festival has become a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood, providing a platform for emerging Black artists – many of whom have become today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians.

ABOUT JEFF FRIDAY MEDIA
Jeff Friday Media (JFM) is a Los Angeles-based entertainment company producing events, film and television focused on Black and Brown culture. Its mission is to create live experiences and content that convey aspects of humanity and achievement, often dismissed or overlooked, in the portrayal of people of color in popular entertainment. As part of its formation, JFM acquired ABFF Ventures LLC,?an organization recognized in the Hollywood community for creating platforms that showcase and promote distinctive Black and Brown talent. Its?tent-pole properties are the American Black Film Festival and ABFF Honors, both founded by JFM CEO Jeff Friday. In 2020, JFM secured a motion picture development deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment and launched ABFF PLAY, a live and on-demand streaming service featuring free and pay-per-view content. JFM recently announced a scripted television partnership with Endeavor Content and POV.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Chelsye J. Burrows
American Black Film Festival
[email protected]

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American Black Film Festival Announces Producer Will Packer as Its Jury President for 25th Anniversary Festival

Submissions Now Open for the 2021 American Black Film Festival Set for Miami Beach and Online November 3-14

LOS ANGELES, CA, (March 30, 2021) – ABFF Ventures LLC., announced today that film producer Will Packer (‘Girls Trip,’ ‘Ride Along’) will serve as the Jury President for the 2021 American Black Film Festival (ABFF). This year, the ABFF will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a new festival format – a hybrid event, with live events in Miami Beach, November 3-7, followed by a week of virtual events on abffplay.com November 8-14.

In his role as president, Packer will help the festival expand its Jury and curate a diverse slate of film and television content. Returning to ABFF will be a homecoming for Packer who got his start at the festival in 1999 with the premiere of his feature film “Trois” directed by Rob Hardy. Since then, Packer has been a staunch supporter of the ABFF serving on its Advisory Board, premiering his studio films during the festival and lending his expertise to mentor emerging artists.

“ABFF is one of the single most instrumental institutions in my career. This is more than just a festival for me. It’s very existence guarantees there will be more Will Packers making movies from a unique perspective and telling the stories of underserved audiences, said Will Packer.”

“We are thrilled to have our dear friend Will serve as this year’s ABFF Jury President. His relationship with the ABFF family spans more than 20 years and his path to success embodies the festival’s mission – empowering Black creatives to thrive in Hollywood” says Jeff Friday, ABFF Ventures Founder & CEO

The festival is now accepting submissions in the following sections with full eligibility details available at www.abff.com/2022.

Competitive:

  • HBO Short Film Competition – A competitive section for narrative shorts directed by or produced and written by persons of African descent. Now in its 24th year, the HBO® Short Film Competition is regarded as one of the most prestigious short film showcases in the country. Prior winners of this award include Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Judas and Black Messiah) and Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II, Transformers).
  • Narrative Features (US and International) – A competitive section for feature-length films directed by or written by and produced by persons of African descent.
  • Documentary Features (US and International) – A competitive section for nonfiction feature films directed by persons of African descent.
  • Web Series – A competitive section for short-form episodic television series directed by or produced and written by persons of African descent. World premieres selected to this section.

Non-Competitive:

  • World Showcase – A non competitive section showcasing feature and short films made by and about people of African descent, with projects that fall outside of the eligibility criteria of the festival’s competitive sections.
  • ABFF Pride – A showcase of films that represent queer culture and reflect the LGBTQIA experience.

In addition to screenings of independently produced content, the festival’s program features studio/network premieres, industry seminars and panel discussions to elevate timely issues and celebrate Black entertainment. ABFF continues to be the leading platform for Black filmmakers to tell their stories and drive momentum toward creating a more equal and diverse media landscape.

The premier destination event for Black film and television enthusiasts, the festival attracts an audience of 7,000 to 10,000 people who travel to Miami Beach each year. The 2020 ABFF Online Edition broadened that audience, drawing in virtual attendees from more than 90 countries around the world.

ABFF Sponsors to date include Warner Media, HBO® (Founding), Cadillac, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Presenting Sponsors); Jeff Friday Media, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Premier Sponsors); Netflix, Verizon Media (Official Sponsors); Accenture (Supporting Sponsor).

For festival registration and additional information visit abff.com/2022 and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook. Join in on the conversation by using #ABFF25 and #ABFF. Registration is now open at https://www.abff.com/miami/register/

ABOUT ABFF VENTURES LLC:
ABFF Ventures LLC (ABFFV) is a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live and digital events that celebrate Black culture and achievement. Its mission is to curate experiences that entertain, educate and inspire communities of color while showcasing the work of Black artists in Hollywood. The company, through its flagship property, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), has been a leading advocate for diversity in Hollywood since its inception in 1997. Since then, the festival has been the standard-bearer of excellence for Black creativity, having premiered the work and supported the careers of many of today’s most successful actors and content creators. ABFF is headquartered in Los Angeles, is led by husband-and-wife team Jeff and Nicole Friday.

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to recognizing black talent and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Dedicated 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 entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration. Now in its 25th year, the festival has become a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood, providing a platform for emerging black artists – many of who have become today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians.

PRESS CONTACT:

American Black Film Festival:
MPRM Communications
[email protected]
323-933-3399

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American Black Film Festival to Celebrate Milestone 25th Anniversary with In-Person and Virtual Programming to Reach a Global Audience

Festival Returns to Miami Beach November 3-14.

LOS ANGELES, CA, (March 10, 2021) – ABFF Ventures LLC., announced today that it will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) with a return to Miami Beach from November 3-7, and virtually for seven days thereafter, November 8-14 on ABFF PLAY (www.abffplay.com), its streaming platform. The festival will feature studio screenings, panel discussions, and networking events to elevate timely issues and celebrate Black entertainment, and provide Black and Brown filmmakers a platform to tell their stories and drive momentum toward creating a more equal and diverse media landscape.

The premier destination event for Black film and television enthusiasts, ABFF has historically attracted an audience of 7,000 to 10,000 people who travel to Miami Beach for the five day Fest. The 2020 ABFF Online Edition broadened that audience, drawing in viewers from more than 90 countries around the world. Festival registration and call for submissions will open March 23, 2021 at abff.com.

“We are so excited to return to Miami Beach to celebrate 25 years of storytelling and storytellers, and engage with a global audience around the world through our virtual programming on ABFF PLAY,” said Nicole Friday, President ABFF Ventures. “ABFF has served as a place of inspiration and a launching pad for so many great filmmakers and artists, and we remain committed to using our platform to catapulte a new generation of Black and Brown filmmakers forward.”

“We are honored that American Black Film Festival has once again chosen our great destination for this event, says Mayor Dan Gelber, and confident the Royal Palm Hotel and our city partners will safely host ABFF participants, audience members, talent, and workers to make sure this is another successful event, for Miami Beach.”

“We are eager to safely welcome film enthusiasts and our friends with the ABFF team to Miami Beach this upcoming November,” says William D. Talbert, III CDME, President & CEO, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). “The GMCVB’s Multicultural Tourism & Development Department will help ABFF successfully showcase the diversity of our community, including our local stakeholders and businesses. Utilizing ABFF Play technology will be a game changer, enabling global audiences to participate in this hybrid event and showcasing our amazing destination to an even broader audience than would have been possible before”.

ABFF Sponsors to date include Warner Media, HBO® (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Presenting Sponsors); Jeff Friday Media, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Premier Sponsor); Netflix, Verizon Media (Official Sponsors); Accenture (Supporting Sponsor).

For additional information on the festival visit abff.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook. Join in on the conversation by using #ABFF21 and #ABFF.

ABOUT ABFF VENTURES:
ABFF Ventures LLC (ABFFV) is a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live and digital events that celebrate Black culture and achievement. The company’s mission is to curate content and experiences that entertain, educate and inspire communities of color while showcasing the work of Black artists in Hollywood. Its tent-pole event properties are the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), cited by MovieMaker magazine as “One of the Coolest Festivals in the World;” and “ABFF Honors,” an annual awards gala saluting the top stars of film and television. ABFFV also provides consulting services to studios and networks to promote content specific to African American audiences through its ABFF Insider Marketing division. Led by husband-and-wife team Jeff and Nicole Friday, ABFF is headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif.

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to recognizing black talent and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Dedicated 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 entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration. Now in its 25th year, the
festival has become a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood, providing a platform for emerging black artists – many of who have become today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians.

PRESS CONTACT:

American Black Film Festival:
MPRM Communications
[email protected]
323-933-3399

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2020 American Black Film Festival Wraps with Celebration of Winning Films and Filmmakers via ‘The Best of The ABFF Awards’

Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker Hosted the Virtual Ceremony Simulcast by IMDb

LOS ANGELES, CA, (August 31, 2020) – The 24th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF), which took place August 21 – 30 virtually via the newly launched ABFF PLAY platform, wrapped ten days of festivities with ‘The Best of the ABFF Awards,’ hosted by Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker with a simulcast on IMDb (www.imdb.com). Presenters included: Lee Daniels (The United States vs. Billie Holiday), Laz Alonso (The Boys), Bevy Smith (BEVELATIONS), Logan Browning (Dear White People), Sinqua Walls (American Soul), La La Anthony (Power) and Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods). The ceremony closed with an emotional performance by Grammy Award-winning Gospel and R&B Artist Bebe Winans singing his new single Black Lives Matter. The full awards show and highlight reel of ‘The Best of the ABFF Awards’ is available to watch on https://abffplay.com/ and https:www.imdb.com/festival-central/abff/

The Festival, available online for the first time, drew a global audience from 85 countries around the world. The robust program featured 90 films representing the best in independent Black cinema, virtual networking events, studio screenings, and 30 conversations and panels featuring Stacey Abrams, Kenya Barris, Mary J. Blige, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Barry Jenkins, Yara Shahidi, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Yvonne Orji, Gabrielle Union, Radha Blank, and Lena Waithe among others. Jemele Hill hosted a one-on-one conversation with Blige powered by Cadillac, who was also this year’s festival ambassador.

With a track record for recognizing Black filmmakers on the rise, this year’s competition attracted a record number of films, over half from first-time filmmakers and the most from female directors in the festival’s history. The festival’s international entries included films from more than ten foreign markets including: Belgium, Brazil, Nigeria, South Africa, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Mozambique, Canada and the United Kingdom. It also marked the introduction of the first annual John Singleton Director Award for Best First Feature for a director of African descent.

2020 American Black Film Festival Full Winners List:

  • HBO Short Film Competition (presented by HBO, Prize: $10,000 for winner; $5,000 for finalists)
    Dolapo Is Fine, directed by Ethosheia Hylton, screenplay by Joan Iyiola, Chibundu Onuzo
  • Jury Award – Best Director (presented by Cadillac, Prize: $10,000)
    Hisonni Johnson, Take Out Girl
  • John Singleton Director Award for Best First Feature (presented by Netflix, Prize: $5,000)
    Solomon Onita, Jr, Tazmanian Devil
  • Jury Award – Best US Narrative Feature (presented by Prudential, Prize: $2,500)
    Curtis, directed and written by Chris Bailey, produced by Kimberly Hwang, Chelsea Davenport and Desi Bee Richardson
  • Jury Award – Best Screenplay (presented by BET, Prize: $2,500)
    Addison Henderson, G.O.D – Givers of Death
  • Jury Award – Best International Narrative Feature (presented by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Prize: $2,500)
    The New Normal (Nigeria), directed by Teniola Olatoni, written by Tunde Babalola, produced by Sourmash Stories
  • Jury Award – Best Documentary (presented by Amazon Studios, Prize: $2,500)
    Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back, directed by John Carluccio, written by Tracy E. Hopkins
  • Jury Award – Best Web Series (presented by Xfinity, Prize: $2,500)
    Loving in America, directed by Jason Gudasz, written by Bianca Cristovao
  • Fan Favorite Movie
    Death of A Telemarketer, directed by Khaled Ridgeway, produced by Datari Turner, Meagan Good, James J. Yi

“We are overwhelmed by the support of the community that made this year’s festival possible,” said Jeff Friday, founder and CEO ABFF Ventures. “We were very encouraged to see a record setting number of submissions, the willingness of our corporate partners and Black talent to stand with us during these uncertain times and the response of our audience around the world. While we look forward to returning to Miami for our 25th anniversary next year, we are thrilled to have been able to reach a new audience for ABFF this year.”

Sponsors included WarnerMedia, HBO® (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Presenting Sponsors); Comcast NBCUniversal, Amazon Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Endeavor Content (Premier Sponsors); Cadillac, IMDb, Netflix, Motion Picture Association (MPA), Jeff Friday Media, Prudential Financial, Starz, a Lionsgate company, UMC, Verizon Media (Official Sponsors); AspireTV, BET, Facebook, Moet Hennessy, Morgan Stanley, New York University, PEACOCK, and Universal Production Music (Supporting Sponsors); Blackfilm.com, Black Information Network, Film Independent, and Variety (Marketing Partners).

For more information on ABFF and up-to-date news, go to abff.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook. Join in on the conversation by using #ABFF20 and #ABFF.

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to recognizing black talent and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Dedicated 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 entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration.

After 24 years, the festival has become a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood, providing a platform for emerging black artists – many of who have become today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians, including Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Will Packer (Girls Trip), Issa Rae (Insecure), Kevin Hart (Night School), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II). The ABFF is the preeminent pipeline for black artists in front of and behind the camera, and has significantly expanded the range of talent working in the entertainment Industry.

As “the nation’s largest community of black film and television enthusiasts” the ABFF attracts a broad audience of celebrity talent, emerging artists, upscale consumers and industry stakeholders. Approximately 7,000 to 10,000 people travel to Miami Beach each year for the five-day event. The festival opens with the premiere of an upcoming Hollywood release followed by a full schedule of intriguing independent film screenings, master classes, panels, celebrity talks, live entertainment, and a variety of networking and hospitality events.

ABOUT ABFF VENTURES:
ABFF Ventures LLC (ABFFV) is a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events and branded content. Its mission is to entertain and inspire communities of color while promoting diversity in Hollywood. Headquartered in Los Angeles, ABFFV was formed to stimulate business growth through expansion into other events and services. Its tent-pole properties are the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), cited by MovieMaker magazine as “One of the Coolest Festivals in the World;” and “ABFF Honors,” an annual awards gala saluting the top stars of film and television. In creating ABFF Ventures, CEO Jeff Friday channeled his passion for film and television, as well as his discomfort with the underrepresentation of people of color in Hollywood, into an organization with the ultimate goal of advocating for diversity within the entertainment industry. Through his vision and perseverance, ABFF Ventures has become a highly respected enterprise, generating goodwill throughout the Hollywood and corporate communities.

PRESS CONTACT:

MPRM Communications
[email protected]
323-933-3399

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Pay-Per-View Streaming Service and Digital Movie Theater Showcasing Black and Brown Content Next Venture for American Black Film Festival Founder

ABFF PLAY Launches August 21 as Host for the First Online Edition of ABFF

LOS ANGELES, CA, (August 20, 2020) – A showcase for Black and Brown content, culture and creativity, ABFF PLAY is a new pay-per-view streaming service and digital movie theater platform from American Black Film Festival (ABFF) creator/producers Jeff and Nicole Friday, under the auspices of their newly formed company Streamland USA LLC. It will launch as the platform host for the first online edition of ABFF, August 21, 2020 at abffplay.com.

ABFF PLAY will offer transactional video on demand rentals of premium independent films, as well as live-streamed PPV events that include stand-up comedy specials, stage plays, concerts, virtual conferences and online film festivals. With its hybrid, ad-supported model, ABFF PLAY will also be able to offer free exclusive coverage from ABFF events, award-winning short films and sponsor-supported original content including web series, podcasts and other branded entertainment.

“Our goal is to create an alternative distribution outlet that will empower independent film filmmakers, artists and live event producers by giving them the opportunity to monetize their projects in a virtual environment,” said Jeff Friday, CEO, Streamland USA, LLC.

Already committed to the ABFF PLAY platform are the Social Justice Now Film Festival, October 21-25, and the Black Hollywood Comedy Nights a four part pay-per-view series executive produced by Jeff Friday and hosted by comedian/writer Chris Spencer (Creator of BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood), featuring top Black and Brown stand-up comedians. The first show of the series will be streamed live from Los Angeles on December 12.

ABFF PLAY, developed by Endeavor Streaming, is accessible via the web at abffplay.com and IOS and Android mobile apps.

ABOUT STREAMLAND USA:
ABFF Play is a property of Streamland USA, LLC an American digital media company founded in 2020 by live event, film and television producers Jeff and Nicole Friday.

Press Contact:

MPRM Communications
[email protected]
323-933-3399

Image provided Courtesy of ABFF

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Stacey Abrams, Kenya Barris, Mary J. Blige, Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson, Barry Jenkins, Gabrielle Union, Lena Waithe And More Topline Programming Slate For 2020 American Black Film Festival

Ten Day Virtual Fest Available to Global Audience August 21-30 Features Mix of Live and On Demand Content

LOS ANGELES, CA, (August 6, 2020) – The first virtual edition of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), now in its 24th year, will feature a robust slate of speakers including Stacey Abrams, Kenya Barris, Mary J. Blige, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Barry Jenkins, Gabrielle Union and Lena Waithe, as well as panels ranging from the business of Hollywood to spotlights on new films and television series. The festival will offer a mix of live and on demand content from August 21st to 30th at abff.com.

Opening night will feature the HBO Short Film Competition, a platform which has been responsible for showcasing the early work of such industry notables as Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Ben Watkins (Hand of God) and Stephen Caple Jr. (Creed II) followed by a virtual version of ABFF’s legendary “White Party.” It will close with “The Best of American Black Film Festival Awards” Ceremony, hosted by Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker and simulcast on IMDb.com, followed by a post awards celebration. Presenters include: Lee Daniels (The United States vs. Billie Holiday), Laz Alonso (The Boys), Bevy Smith (BEVELATIONS) Logan Browning (Dear White People) and Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods).

Jemele Hill will host a Cadillac sponsored one-on-one conversation with Blige, who is this year’s festival ambassador. In addition to “Conversations With” Blige and Abrams, Angela Rye will moderate a discussion with Barris. Evening programming will also include “Comics on Comedy” hosted by Yvonne Orji (Insecure) featuring Lil Rel Howery (Get Out), a screening of Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn, presented by HBO, a first look at the highly anticipated Universal Pictures film, Candyman with director/co-writer Nia DaCosta, and a panel on the new animated series Woke from Sony Pictures Entertainment. Additional highlights include a conversation with directors Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Old Guard), Christine Swanson (The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel) and Jacqueline Olive (Always in Season). Amazon Studios presents a Hot at Amazon panel featuring Barry Jenkins, Lena Waithe and Tracy Oliver; a Garrett Bradley Time conversation as well as a discussion with Stacy Abrams. STARZ presents Power Book II: Ghost panel with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Michael Rainey Jr., Naturi Naughton, Mary J. Blige and Cliff “Method Man” Smith. Netflix brings a discussion with The 40-Year-Old Version writer/director Radha Blank.

There will be opportunities to meet the filmmakers from the competitive categories, panel discussions on “The Hollywood Executive Experience Through The Black Lens,” “Navigating the Network and Studio Process,” and “Black Female Perspectives on Directing and Storytelling” among others. The 90 films featured during the program will be available on demand for the duration of the festival. The schedule is available here.

“We are gratified by the outpouring of industry support for this year’s ABFF, creating an opportunity for us to reach a global audience with a broad range of compelling content both live and on demand,” said Jeff Friday, founder and CEO ABFF Ventures. “Although we plan to be back in Miami for 2021, this year’s virtual festival enables us to engage with an audience that might never be able to attend a destination event. Thanks to our sponsors and everyone who participated, we are able to deliver provocative conversation and compelling entertainment when our community most needs it.”

Sponsors to date include WarnerMedia, HBO® (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Presenting Sponsors); Comcast NBCUniversal, Amazon Studios (Premier Sponsors); Cadillac, Sony Pictures Entertainment, IMDb, Netflix, Motion Picture Association (MPA), Jeff Friday Media, Prudential Financial, Starz, a Lionsgate company UMC, Verizon Media (Official Sponsors); AspireTV, Facebook, Morgan Stanley, and Universal Production Music (Supporting Sponsors); Blackfilm.com, Film Independent, and Variety (Marketing Partners).

For more information on ABFF and up-to-date news, go to abff.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook. Join in on the conversation by using #ABFF20 and #WeAreABFF.

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to recognizing black talent and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Dedicated 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 entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration.

After 24 years, the festival has become a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood, providing a platform for emerging black artists – many of who have become today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians. The ABFF is the preeminent pipeline for black artists in front of and behind the camera, and has significantly expanded the range of talent working in the entertainment Industry. ABFF is the “the nation’s largest community of black film and television enthusiasts” attracting a broad audience of celebrity talent, emerging artists, upscale consumers and industry stakeholders.

ABOUT ABFF VENTURES:
ABFF Ventures, LLC (ABFFV) is a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events and branded content. Its mission is to entertain and inspire communities of color while promoting diversity in Hollywood. Headquartered in Los Angeles, ABFFV was formed to stimulate business growth through expansion into other events and services. Its tent-pole properties are the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), cited by MovieMaker magazine as “One of the Coolest Festivals in the World;” and “ABFF Honors,” an annual awards gala saluting the top stars of film and television. In creating ABFF Ventures, CEO Jeff Friday channeled his passion for film and television, as well as his discomfort with the underrepresentation of people of color in Hollywood, into an organization with the ultimate goal of advocating for diversity within the entertainment industry. Through his vision and perseverance, ABFF Ventures has become a highly respected enterprise, generating goodwill throughout the Hollywood and corporate communities.

PRESS CONTACT:

MPRM Communications
[email protected]
323-933-3399

,

American Black Film Festival Announces Film Slate for 2020 Virtual Festival

IMDb To Simulcast The Best of the ABFF Awards Ceremony On August 30

LOS ANGELES, CA, (July 23, 2020) – With a record number of entries, ABFF Ventures LLC., today revealed its slate of films in competition for the 24 th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) scheduled to take place online August 21-30th at abff.com. ABFF also announced that IMDb (www.imdb.com), the world’s most popular and authoritative source for information on movies, TV shows and celebrities, will simulcast The Best of the ABFF Awards Ceremony on its homepage on August 30th, closing night of the Festival.

The ABFF Online Edition will continue the tradition of the live festival: featuring the best of independent Black cinema, studio premieres, conversations and panels, along with virtual networking events. This year, ABFF is introducing the first annual John Singleton Award for Best First Feature for a director of African descent.

Consistent with ABFF’s mission to spearhead diversity and introduce newcomers to the industry the program will feature a record number of female directors with more than half of the submissions from first-time filmmakers. The Festival’s International entries include films from more than ten foreign markets including: Belgium, Brazil, Nigeria, South Africa, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Mozambique, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Among the celebrated talent featured in this year’s Narrative Features are Big Boy, Chris Brown, Cedric the Entertainer, Chris Chalk, Frankie Faison, Vivica A. Fox, Marla Gibbs, Macy Gray, Jackie Earle Haley, Dwight Henry, Haley Joel Osment, Anika Noni Rose, and Brian “Birdman” Williams, among others.

Also featured in the festival will be a spotlight screening of the Documentary film, Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn, courtesy of HBO. The film is the winning project of the inaugural Feature Documentary Initiative created by the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and Academy Award-winning production company, Lightbox. Premiering on HBO and streaming on HBO Max on August 12, the film was directed by Muta’Ali Muhammad (Life’s Essentials with Ruby Dee), and is about a black teenager who was murdered in 1989 by a group of young white men in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Hawkins’ death and the official response to it sparked outrage in New York, unleashing a torrent of racial tension and spurring tireless civil rights activism that exposed deep racial prejudices and inequities which continue to plague the country today.

“The more than 90 films in this year’s festival are the work of a group of powerful and passionate storytellers who reflect the diversity of voices in our industry,” said Jeff Friday, founder and CEO ABFF Ventures. “Creating an opportunity for these filmmakers to reach a broader audience is our core mission. We are thrilled to have IMDb on board to simulcast the Awards Show.”

Competitive categories include:

U.S. Narrative Features – feature-length films directed by or written and produced by persons of African descent. Films in this category are eligible for the following Jury Awards – Best Director, presented by Cadillac, (prize is $10,000), Best Narrative Feature, presented by Prudential Financial, (prize is $2,500), and Best Screenplay, and the John Singleton Award for Best First Feature, presented by Netflix.

International Narrative Features – International feature-length films directed by or written and produced by persons of African descent. Films in this category are eligible to compete for the Jury Award for Best International Feature, presented by Sony Pictures Entertainment. The cash prize is $2,500.

Documentary Features – nonfiction feature films directed by persons or about persons of African descent. Films in this category are eligible for the Jury Award for Best Documentary, presented by Amazon Studios. The cash prize is $2,500.

HBO® Short Film Competition, now in its 23rd year – Each of the films in this section is directed and/or written by a person of African descent. The prize is $10,000 for the winner and $5,000 for each of the other finalists.

Web Series – short-form episodic television series directed by or produced and written by persons of African descent. Each series will compete for the Jury Award for Best Web Series, presented by Xfinity. The cash prize is $2,500.

Non-Competitive categories include Emerging Filmmakers, showcasing the work of emerging directors of African descent and Pride Films, a showcase of films that represent queer culture and reflect the LGBTQIA experience in the United States.

A full list of the 2020 ABFF Online Edition Official Selections can be found HERE.

The American Black Film Festival was conceived in 1997 as a vehicle to strengthen the Black entertainment community and provide a platform for emerging artists. It has become one of the leading film festivals in the world and a place of inspiration and community for many.

The destination festival, which has typically attracted 7,000 to 10,000 attendees to Miami Beach, will open its virtual doors to a global audience, offering most of its programming free of charge.

Previously announced, Iconic Grammy Award® winning and Academy Award® nominated singer, songwriter, actress, producer and philanthropist Mary J. Blige serves as this years’ ambassador.

Sponsors to date include WarnerMedia, HBO® (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Presenting Sponsors); Comcast NBCUniversal, Amazon Studios (Premier Sponsors); Cadillac, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Netflix, IMDb, Motion Picture Association (MPA), Jeff Friday Media, Prudential Financial, Starz, a Lionsgate company, UMC, Verizon Media (Official Sponsors); Facebook, (Supporting Sponsor); Blackfilm.com (Marketing Partner).

For more information on ABFF and up-to-date news, go to www.abff.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook. Join in on the conversation by using #ABFF20 and #WeAreABFF.

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to recognizing black talent and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Dedicated 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 entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration.

After 24 years, the festival has become a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood, providing a platform for emerging black artists — many of who have become today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians, including Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Will Packer (Girls Trip), Issa Rae (Insecure), Kevin Hart (Night School), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II). The ABFF is the preeminent pipeline for black artists in front of and behind the camera, and has significantly expanded the range of talent working in the entertainment Industry.

As “the nation’s largest community of black film and television enthusiasts” the ABFF attracts a broad audience of celebrity talent, emerging artists, upscale consumers and industry stakeholders. Approximately 7,000 to 10,000 people travel to Miami Beach each year for the five-day event. The festival opens with the premiere of an upcoming Hollywood release followed by a full schedule of intriguing independent film screenings, master classes, panels, celebrity talks, live entertainment, and a variety of networking and hospitality events.

ABOUT ABFF VENTURES:
ABFF Ventures LLC (ABFFV) is a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events and branded content. Its mission is to entertain and inspire communities of color while promoting diversity in Hollywood. Headquartered in Los Angeles, ABFFV was formed to stimulate business growth through expansion into other events and services. Its tent-pole properties are the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), cited by MovieMaker magazine as “One of the Coolest Festivals in the World;” and “ABFF Honors,” an annual awards gala saluting the top stars of film and television. In creating ABFF Ventures, CEO Jeff Friday channeled his passion for film and television, as well as his discomfort with the underrepresentation of people of color in Hollywood, into an organization with the ultimate goal of advocating for diversity within the entertainment industry. Through his vision and perseverance, ABFF Ventures has become a highly respected enterprise, generating goodwill throughout the Hollywood and corporate communities.

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