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

Highlights Included the HBO^® Short Film Competition Winner, “Cherry Waves,” and Russ Parr’s “The Undershepherd” Taking High Honors for Best Narrative Feature, Best Director and Best Actress to Malinda Williams for “The Undershepherd”

NEW YORK, NY, June 29, 2012 – In its 16th year, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), took place in Miami Beach, June 20th – June 23rd and was an unforgettable experience for this year’s attendees. Festival-goers shared in the revelry and experienced a collective generosity of spirit that encouraged and inspired.

The four-day festival was well-attended by talented rising actors and filmmakers who were honored for their impressive work in the films that slated the festival lineup. On hand to pay tribute to the honorees at the concluding event, “The Winners Circle,” were festival Ambassador, actor Tracee Ellis Ross, Grand Jury President, actor Mekhi Phifer, ABFF founder, Jeff Friday and his wife Nicole Friday, actor, producer, director Robert Townsend and actor, producer, director Bill Duke. Acceptance speeches from winners didn’t leave a dry eye in the audience as recipients shared their personal struggles and triumphs and illustrated how perseverance has been the backdrop to their success stories.

The festival opened with “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” one of the most talked about independent films that has been making waves at festivals across the country. Actor Tracee Ellis Ross, joined ABFF founder Jeff Friday and together they carried the torch for opening day as they left their mark throughout the festivities attending an array of events celebrating black film. Ross walked the red carpet at the opening night film, dazzled at the City of Miami’s VIP Reception, and finished off the evening at the celebratory after-party at Arkadia Lounge in the Fontainebleu Hotel.

Each day of the festival, attendees experienced unparalleled events, film screenings, red carpet premieres, panel discussions and master classes led by industry experts such as Dianne Ashford and Charles Swanson. Nielsen and Black Enterprise sponsored a dynamic panel focused on the future of black entertainment within the digital space, another discussion around current syndication practices and technology took place during the festival and was sponsored by Grab Media and HuffPost Black Voices. Filmmakers had the fortunate opportunity to listen to established writers talk about what it takes to pitch a series to television executives during a panel presented by Nickelodeon and CNN presented the documentary, “Who Counts,” followed by dialogue led by Don Lemon on the importance of the black vote in the upcoming election.

Festival-goers relaxed at the American Airlines Black Atlas travel lounge, indulged in style while being driven to various events courtesy of the Cadillac Shuttle, enjoyed refreshments and networking at the Stella Artois Mixers, Gold Peak Tea Bars and Ciroc “Red Carpet” cocktail hour. An additional festival highlight was the sponsor hospitality and diversity suites hosted by gmc Television Network, NBCUniversal and One Village Entertainment, Nickelodeon and SAGIndie.

At the festival’s peak, Hollywood power couple, Salim Akil and Mara Brock-Akil were spotlighted for their exceptional work in the world of visual entertainment with “A Conversation with…” sponsored by American Airlines. The festivities continued with the introduction of ABFF’s first ever Webisode Challenge, hosted by funny man Chris Spencer, where winner Donnie Leapheart, was awarded with a plaque and a check for $2,500 for his outstanding work on “Osiris: The Series.” Attendee’s also had the opportunity to view an exclusive sneak peak of Film Life TV’s first ever webseries, “The Q&A Show” starring creators Quin Walters and Addison Henderson, now airing on filmlifetv.com. Before the night ended, ABFF held an evening with filmmakers and cast of the hit film “Think Like a Man.” Will Packer, Rob Hardy, Tim Story and Terrence J took part in the panel and in the end, ABFF Founder, Jeff Friday, awarded filmmakers Will Packer and Rob Hardy with the ABFF Hall of Fame award for their outstanding achievements in the film industry, which has undoubtedly helped rewrite the future of black cinema. The cast and creators led a shoes-off panel offering anecdotes about the film and thanking ABFF creators and supporters for being the bookend to their success story; Packer and Rob Hardy began their careers at ABFF with the premiere of their first feature film “Trois” in 2000 and have since been a pivotal part of the ABFF journey. The event was sponsored by Crown Royal.

The final day of the ABFF, was one filled with reward, recognition, and of course, “Raising Izzie.” The supercharged day began with a rewarding panel which featured some of Black Hollywood’s most noted female tastemakers who participated in a verbal walk thru of their journey navigating the film industry in “Beyond the Barriers & Biases – Black Women in Hollywood Panel.” The panel, moderated by African American Cinema Scholar Michele Prettyman Beverly and featured Twinkie Byrd, casting director and producer, Elizabeth Hunter, writer, Angi Bones, SVP of Development (BobbCat Films) and actors Malinda Williams and Tracey Heggins.

ABFF Sponsor, HBO, hosted a panel entitled “HBO Presents…” featuring some of the cable networks hottest black talent who are shining this season on series such as “Veep,” “True Blood,” and many others. Actors Sufe Bradshaw, Adina Porter, Michael K. Williams, Nelsan Ellis, JB Smoove and Essence magazine’s Cori Murray were on hand to give perspective to attendee’s on the importance of diversity in the industry and how it strengthens the HBO experience.

The evening continued with the closing night film, gmc Television Network’s “Raising Izzie.” The film, which was directed by Roger Bobb, stars Vanessa Williams and Rockmond Dunbar, and is a visual result of last year’s gmc Television Network’s Faith and Family screenplay competition. Bobb, Williams, Dunbar and the rest of the cast were in attendance.

Annually, the American Black Film Festival presents films that are diverse and provocative, from the best emerging filmmakers, and this year was no exception. The goal of the ABFF is to be a platform for independent showcases for people of African descent and to strengthen to African American filmmaking community through resources sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development.

The complete list of ABFF Winners Circle awards are as follows:

Monica Billinger, Manager, Diversity Markets/Chicago of American Airlines made a special presentation of travel gift cards to each Grand Jury Prize Winner, which can be used towards a purchase of a future flight on American Airlines. In addition, each winner in the competition received a gift certificate from Macy’s.

HBO (Founding and Premier Sponsor); Gold Peak Tea (Premier); gmc Television Network, American Airlines, Cadillac, CNN and Ciroc (Official Sponsors); Grab Media, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, smartwater, Nielsen, BET Networks, Stella Artois and Wells Fargo (Supporting Sponsors); The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority and Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (Host Sponsors) and SAGIndie, One Village Entertainment, Miami Film Month, thirdREEL, Huffpost Blackvoices, The Webber Group and Macy’s (Promotional Partners); Media Sponsors include: Black Enterprise, Uptown (Official Level); Jones Magazine and Precious Times (Supporting Level).

Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry by strengthening the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. 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 distribution company founded in 2000 by Jeff Friday (CEO).

The official festival program guide can be digitally downloaded from the homepage of the festival website: www.abff.com

Photos: http://ls-pr.com/?p=1130

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

Filmmakers Will Packer, Rob Hardy and Tim Story to join select cast members in celebration of the film’s success

NEW YORK, NY, May 31, 2012 – On Friday, June 22, at the 16th Annual American Black Festival in Miami Beach, FL, ABFF will celebrate the success of the hit film, “Think Like A Man” (Screen Gems) produced by Will Packer (Rainforest Films). This very special evening will feature a conversation with the film’s producer, Will Packer, his business partner Rob Hardy, the film’s director, Tim Story as well as select cast members. Jeff Friday, CEO of The Film Life Inc., and founder of ABFF, planned the evening as a celebration of the film’s remarkable success and unprecedented impact on the entertainment industry.

On April 20, 2012, “Think Like a Man,” opened to $33.6 million on just 2,015 screens, unseated “The Hunger Games” and became Screen Gems’ highest opener ever targeting African-American audiences. Still holding strong at the box office, “Think Like a Man” is close to crossing a record-breaking $100 million dollar mark domestically. The film, based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling book, follows four interconnected and diverse men whose love lives are shaken up after the ladies they are pursuing buy Harvey’s book and start taking his advice to heart, stars Taraji P. Henson, Michael Ealy, Gabrielle Union, Terrence J., Regina Hall, Romany Malco, Jerry Ferrara, Meagan Good, and Kevin Hart. “Think Like a Man” has proven that ensemble casts featuring primarily African-American actors can be hugely successful at the box office.

Attendees can expect to hear an open conversation about how the film came together and then quickly became one of the top-grossing African-American films of all time. The conversation will spotlight every aspect of the film, from production and the marketing process, to casting and the use of social media as well as traditional marketing techniques, all of which has fueled its success at the box office and beyond.

Rainforest Films’ Will Packer and Rob Hardy have a very long history with ABFF. In 2000, “Trois” was the first Rainforest Films project to screen at ABFF and became the fastest African-American distributed film to ever surpass the $1 million dollar mark. Since then, five other Rainforest Films’ projects; “Pandora’s Box,” “The Gospel,” “This Christmas,” “Stomp The Yard 2: Homecoming,” and “Takers,” have screened at the festival. Jeff Friday states, “Will Packer and Rob Hardy are very talented filmmakers.” He adds, “They are have a long history with the festival and are the perfect example of how effective ABFF’s platform can be.”

Full pass and ticket information for the 2012 ABFF can be found at www.abff.com.

HBO (Founding and Premier Sponsor); Gold Peak Tea (Premier); gmc Television Network, American Airlines, Cadillac, CNN and Ciroc (Official Sponsors); Grab Media, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, smartwater, Nielsen, BET Networks, Stella Artois and Wells Fargo (Supporting Sponsors); The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority and Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (Host Sponsors) and SAGIndie, One Village Entertainment, Miami Film Month, thirdREEL (Promotional Partners); Media Sponsors include: Black Enterprise, Uptown (Official Level); Jones Magazine and Precious Times (Supporting Level).

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]