Time Warner Returns as Presenting Sponsor of the Festival

New York, NY, June 15, 2004 – Film Life’s 2004 American Black Film Festival (ABFF), July 14-18, South Beach, Florida, marks the festival’s eighth year, thanks to the ongoing sponsorship support of the corporate community. This year’s sponsors are Time Warner (Presenting Sponsor), HBO (Founding Sponsor) and Lincoln (Platinum Sponsor) , who, through the ABFF, are able to gain access to established Hollywood talent, the next wave of emerging filmmakers and the festival’s audience of upscale patrons.

“Despite today’s challenging economic climate, the ABFF continues to attract top-tier corporations. We are delighted that Time Warner has returned as our presenting sponsor,” said Jeff Friday, Film Life’s CEO and ABFF cofounder. “Time Warner and HBO’s long commitment to this festival allows us to continue our mission of showcasing contemporary Black cinema.”

In addition to fiscal support, ABFF sponsors contribute to programming, providing cash awards to filmmakers. Time Warner has initiated an annual series entitled “A Conversation With…” – an intimate conversation with an accomplished actor who reflects upon their career, craft and perspective on the industry (2003 featured Laurence Fishburne). The annual HBO Short Film Award (established 1998) spotlights new talent, introducing them to both the industry and the public. The winning filmmaker is granted a $20,000 cash award.

Other sponsors benefit from participating in the ABFF, interacting directly with members of the Black film industry and other professionals. This year’s Gold Sponsors are Blockbuster, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Martell Cognac, Phat Farm, Upscale magazine and UrbanWorks Entertainment. ABC, Inc., American Airlines, BET Pictures, Daily Blossom, Enyce, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), Maverick Entertainment, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (VCA), Miami Dade County Tourist Development Council (TDC) and Nielsen Media Research are Silver Sponsors. Kodak, Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Office of Film and SAGIndie are industry partners. Africana.com, AOL Black Focus, Black Elegance, Black Enterprise, Essence, In Focus magazine, Premiere magazine and ProductionHUB.com are media partners.

The ABFF, founded in 1997, is widely recognized as the premier Black film festival. The five-day retreat and international film market is dedicated to showcasing the work of independent filmmakers, to stimulate Black film development and promote cultural diversity within the film industry. The ABFF annually attracts more than 2,500 attendees. 2004 is the festival’s third year in South Beach.

The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based film marketing and distribution company established by Jeff Friday, Founder and CEO. Its mission is to spearhead the commercial development of independent Black films. Friday is also one of the original cofounders of the ABFF.

Time Warner Inc. is the world’s leading media and entertainment company whose businesses include filmed entertainment, interactive services, television networks, cable systems and publishing.

For more information on the American Black Film Festival, visit www.abff.com.

AOL Time Warner Chairman and CEO Richard Parsons Presents Special Award to Russell Simmons and Gabrielle Union Receives AOL Time Warner Rising Star Award

HBO Presents its Short Film Competition Winner Lincoln Presents the Lincoln Filmmaker Award and Blockbuster Presents the Blockbuster Audience Award

South Beach, FL, June 27, 2003 – Film Life’s Seventh American Black Film Festival (ABFF) culminated in South Beach, Florida on Saturday with the star studded Film Life Movie Awards Show sponsored by Lincoln. AOL Time Warner presented its Innovator Award and Rising Star Award to special honorees Russell Simmons and Gabrielle Union, respectively and winners of the Festival’s HBO Short Film and independent film competitions were announced during the gala awards show in the Jackie Gleason Theater.

A list of Hollywood celebrities, including, Cedric the Entertainer, Eriq La Salle, Jill Marie Jones, Jim Brown, Elise Neal, James McDaniel and Reginald Hudlin presented awards to independent filmmakers and actors at the Film Life Movie Awards show which was hosted by actor/director Robert Townsend and “Access Hollywood’s” Shaun Robinson. AOL Time Warner Chairman and CEO Richard Parsons made a surprise appearance to pay tribute to entertainment mogul and activist Russell Simmons. Actress Gabrielle Union was presented with the AOL Time Warner Rising Star Award. Olivia Smashum, senior vice president of subscriber marketing and business development, HBO, presented the grand prize to the winner of the HBO Short Film Award.

“We are delighted with the success of this year’s Film Life Movie Awards,” said Jeff Friday, president and CEO of Film Life, Inc. and ABFF festival director. “The show provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the world of independent filmmaking, as well as the work of established Hollywood icons. Congratulations to this year’s Film Life Movie Awards show winners. We look forward to televising the show next year so that this salute to Black cinema can be shared with the largest audience possible.”

Following are the various awards and their winners:

• The AOL Time Warner Innovator Award to Russell Simmons.
• The AOL Time Warner Rising Star Award to Gabrielle Union.
• The HBO Short Film Award to Swallow, written and directed by Frank E. Flowers who receives $20,000 from HBO.
• The Lincoln Filmmaker Trophy award to Skin Deep which was directed by Sacha Parisot. Parisot receives a two-year lease of a Lincoln Navigator.
• The Blockbuster Audience Award for Best Feature Film to All About You, which was written and directed by Christine Swanson, a 1998 winner of the HBO Short Film Award. The winner receives a $15,000 prize from Blockbuster and DEJ Productions.
• Best Performance by an Actress award presented to Janice Richardson for Anne B. Real. Essence and Movado sponsor this award and provide prizes to the winner.
• Best Performance by an Actor to Steve White for his performance in Skin Deep. Phat Farm sponsors this award and provides prizes to the winner.

This year’s Film Life Movie Awards show also featured a stirring performance from Arista recording artists Kenny Lattimore and Chante Moore and a special presentation from Suehir Hammad from the Tony Award winning “Def Poetry Jam.” Previous Film Life Movie Award show participants and honorees have included, Mekhi Phifer, Samuel L. Jackson, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Chris Tucker, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, Pam Grier, Debbie Allen, Suzanne De Passe, John Singleton and Robert Townsend.

AOL Time Warner is the presenting sponsor of the ABFF and HBO is the founding sponsor. The Festival’s platinum sponsor is Lincoln. Essence, Heineken and Upscale are gold sponsors. Black Enterprise, Blockbuster and Miramax Home Entertainment are silver sponsors. Official sponsors include, ABC Inc., American Airlines, AXA Financial, BET, CBS, Daily Blossom, dv Republic, ENYCE, Florida Lottery, Fox Broadcasting, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Kodak, Martell Cognac, Maverick Entertainment, the Mayors Office of Film and Entertainment, Miami-Dade County, LuxeConcierge, Motorola, NBC, Nielsen Media Research, Phat Farm and UrbanWorks Entertainment.

Jeff Friday is a cofounder of the ABFF, which is now solely produced by Film Life. Friday has served as executive producer of the ABFF since its inception in 1997. Formerly known as the Acapulco Black Film Festival, the international film market attracts more than 2,500 attendees annually. This year marks the festival’s second year in South Beach.

Film Life, Inc. is a film marketing and distribution company based in New York and established by Jeff Friday. Its mission is to spearhead the commercial development of independent Black films.

AOL Time Warner is the world’s leading media and entertainment company, whose businesses include interactive services, cable systems, filmed entertainment, television networks, music and publishing.

AOL Time Warner Signs on as Presenting Sponsor

New York, March 25, 2003 – The stage is set in South Beach, Florida, for a special engagement as Film Life, Inc. returns with the seventh annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF), presented by AOL Time Warner Inc. HBO is the founding sponsor. Entries are now being accepted for the ABFF’s feature presentation, which includes cinematic works from black filmmakers around the globe. Appearances by established film industry heavyweights, aspiring actors and filmmakers, and rising stars are planned throughout the week of workshops, panel discussions, screenings, and special events.

“We are pleased to present the seventh annual ABFF, which was developed to provide emerging as well as accomplished independent Black filmmakers with a dynamic forum for showcasing their work,” says Jeff Friday, president and CEO of Film Life, Inc and ABFF executive director. “This year, we are continuing that mission as we host Governor Jeb Bush and the United Negro College Fund to announce The UNCF/Richard E. Norman Scholarship for African American Cinema. This scholarship will open new avenues for Black students pursuing filmmaking degrees and enliven the industry with a fresh pool of talent.”

“AOL Time Warner is proud to be a presenting sponsor of the 7th Annual American Black Film Festival. We’re especially proud of HBO’s role both as a founding sponsor of the ABFF and as patron of the HBO Short Film Award. As a company, we at AOL Time Warner are committed to finding and developing the widest possible diversity of talent. The ABFF is a particularly important opportunity for us to help bring to light the creative genius of black filmmakers and to infuse the entire film industry with new ideas, perspectives and energy,” says Gerri Warren-Merrick, Vice President of Corporate Community Relations.

ABFF Films are cast in competitive or non-competitive roles across two sections. Section one, the competitive showcase, includes the Feature Film Competition and the HBO Short Film competition. Feature films are eligible for The Blockbuster Audience Award, The Lincoln Filmmaker Trophy, The Best Performance by an Actor and The Best Performance by an Actress. Short films compete for the HBO Short Film Award and a $20,000 grand prize. The World Showcase, the ABFF’s noncompetitive section, highlights feature length films, works-in-progress and documentaries. The deadline for entries in all categories is April 5, 2003.

Held in conjunction with the ABFF, The Film Life Black Movie Awards, takes place on the final night of the Festival. It is dedicated to saluting the accomplishments of African Americans in Hollywood. Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, Debbie Allen, Robert Townsend, Mekhi Phifer, Delroy Lindo, Sanaa Lathan, John Singleton, Keenan Ivory Wayans, and Chris Tucker are among the many Hollywood luminaries who have participated in past shows.

AOL Time Warner is the presenting sponsor of the ABFF, and HBO is the founding sponsor. The Festival’s platinum sponsor is Lincoln. Other sponsors include ABC Inc., American Airlines, Black Enterprise, Blockbuster, Daily Blossom, Daily Variety, DV Republic, Essence, Heineken, Kodak, Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Upscale, UrbanWorks Entertainment.

The ABFF has premiered a number of films that have subsequently received wider theatrical distribution. These include, One Week directed by Carl Seaton (Film Life), Crazy As Hell directed by and starring Eriq LaSalle and Hav Plenty (Miramax) directed by Christopher Scot Cherot. Last year’s award winning films were The Riff starring Antonia Fargas and Nia Peebles and Civil Brand directed by Emmy® Award winner Neema Barnette. Actress Monica Calhoun took home the Audience Award for her performance in Pandora’s Box, and actor Clifton Powell garnered the Audience Award for his role in Civil Brand. The HBO Short Film Award grand prize went to “Quest to Ref” written and directed by Benjamin Watkins, who also starred in the film.

Jeff Friday is one of the original co-founders of the ABFF, which is now solely produced by his company Film Life. Friday has served as executive producer of the ABFF since its inception in 1997. Formerly known as the Acapulco Black Film Festival, the five-day retreat and international film market, attracts more than 2,500 attendees annually. It was held in South Beach for the first time last year.

Film Life, Inc is a film marketing and distribution company based in New York and established by Jeff Friday. Its mission is to spearhead the commercial development of independent black films.

AOL Time Warner is the world’s leading media and entertainment company, whose businesses include interactive services, cable systems, filmed entertainment, television networks, music and publishing.

Florida Governor Jeb Bush Salutes ABFF and ABFF Filmmakers & Honorees, Following Festival’s Successful Inaugural Run in South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida, with Stars Chris Tucker, Robert Townsend, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Delroy Lindo, Sanaa Lathan, John Singleton, Mekhi Phifer, Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson and more

SOUTH BEACH, FL – The sixth annual “American Black Film Festival” (ABFF) announced the winners of its 2002 competitions during the recent ABFF Awards Show presented by Lincoln and co-hosted by Robert Townsend and Shaun Robinson at the Jackie Gleason Theatre, June 29, in South Beach, Miami Beach, FL. The star-studded gala culminated ABFF’s five-day festival event, beginning June 26, and staged at various area sites. (Formerly called the Acapulco Black Film Festival, the annual celebration honors artistic excellence in Black cinema and features competitive film showcases, workshops, panel discussions, forums, Bill Duke’s legendary Actors Boot Camp and more.)

“Florida is proud to host the American Black Film Festival,” said Governor Jeb Bush. “Our state’s cultural diversity as well as our connection with the film industry make this the perfect venue to celebrate African-American achievement in film. We intend to build on our relationship with the ABFF as it further expands and develops in the coming years. We also believe that Hollywood has just scratched the surface of the creative energy of the Sunshine State, and we are committed to making Florida a haven for filmmakers.”

This year’s awards included the top HBO Short Film Award, the Lincoln Filmmaker Trophy, the first Blockbuster Audience Award for Best Feature Film and five ABFF celebrity honors, including Best Actress and Best Actor Awards and the previously announced Rising Star and Career Achievement Awards.

“The Riff,” directed and written by Mark Allen, and starring Antonio Fargas and Nia Peebles, won the Lincoln Filmmaker Trophy Award. The HBO Short Film Award, with a grand prize of $20,000, went to “Quest to Ref” directed and written by Benjamin Watkins, who also starred in the film. “Civil Brand,” directed by Emmy Award winner Neema Barnette, took the Blockbuster Audience Award for Best Feature Film.

Producer Roger M. Bobb accepted the Lincoln Filmmaker Trophy and also received a two-year lease on a Lincoln Navigator.

The Audience Award for Best Performance by an Actress went to Monica Calhoun for her outstanding performance in “Pandora’s Box,” a nominee for Best Feature Film at this year’s ABFF. Clifton Powell won the Audience Award for Best Actor for his performance in “Civil Brand,” which also featured Ms. Calhoun.

In a special, moving tribute to the work and artistry of industry veteran Robert Townsend, actors Chris Tucker and Keenen Ivory Wayans surprised Mr. Townsend with ABFF’s 2002 Career Achievement- Male Award.

As previously announced, Mekhi Phifer won the “Rising Star” Award and costumer Ruth E. Carter, a two-time Academy Award nominee, the Career Achievement Award-Female. Director John Singleton and actress Sanaa Lathan presented to Ms. Carter, and Delroy Lindo, to Mr. Phifer.

Other presenters in various categories included: Nicole Ari Parker, Boris Kodjoe, Anthony Anderson and Kenya Moore. Also during the world-acclaimed Creative Outlet Dance Theater performed original work under the direction of Jamal Gaines at this year’s ABFF Awards Show.

“We are deeply thankful for the continuing support of our founding sponsor, HBO, and our Platinum sponsor, Lincoln, as well as that of our many friends including Robert Townsend, Bill Duke, Chris Tucker and Keenen Ivory Wayans,” said Jeff Friday, President & CEO, Film Life, Inc. and Executive Producer of the American Black Film Festival. “It is because of this allegiance and loyalty that ABFF has become the premiere multicultural film festival in the world.”

“The unwavering support of HBO and Lincoln now combined with that of our host, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Don Peebles and the Royal Palm Crowne Plaza Resort and the Loews Hotel have made South Beach the new home of ABFF,” said Byron E. Lewis Sr., ABFF founder and Chairman/CEO, UniWorld Group, Inc. “The vast array of cultures represented in Miami will serve as the perfect template for the future of the Festival and our hope to create a year-round multicultural filmmaking center.”

The Lincoln Filmmaker Trophy winner “The Riff” is a story about friendship and betrayal, of youth and age and one man’s struggle to come to terms with his tragic path set against the backdrop of the New Orleans jazz scene. The film stars Antonio Fargas as an aging New Orleans jazz musician and Nia Peeples as the girlfriend of the musician’s agent.

The Blockbuster Audience Award film “Civil Brand” is a hard-edged hip-hop tale about young Black women caught up in abuse and exploitation, and the reality of prisons as modern-day plantations. The women discover that a corporation is paying for the entire “plantation setup” and making huge profits off their slave labor. Ms. Barnette directed from a script by Joyce Lewis and Preston Whitmore. The cast includes LisaRaye, Mos Def, N’Bushe Wright, Monica Calhoun, Da Brat, MC Lyte, Clifton Powell (who won the 2002 Best Actor Award for his performance in this film) and Tichina Arnold. Jeff Clanagan is executive producer of “Civil Brand” which received a $15,000 prize from Blockbuster, Inc.

HBO is the founding sponsor of ABFF. Lincoln is the Platinum sponsor. Other major sponsors are: The Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; Upscale Magazine, BET Pictures, Blockbuster, Essence, Regal Cinemas, Vibe, ABC, American Airlines, Black Enterprise, Daily Blossom, Daily Variety, Enyce, Martell, Nielsen Media Research, UrbanWorks Entertainment, VH1 and the Florida Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment.

Founded by Byron E. Lewis Sr. in 1997, the mission of The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is to redefine, discover and honor artistic excellence in Black cinema. ABFF provides an unprecedented platform for Black filmmakers at these festivals and now attracts an annual attendance of more than 2500 people. Participants and honorees in the past five years have included Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, Pam Grier, Debbie Allen, Suzanne De Passe, John Singleton and Robert Townsend.

Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau Joins Home Box Office and Lincoln as Major Sponsor of Event

New York – The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, representatives of the host city of the American Black Film Festival, has joined founding sponsor, Home Box Office and platinum sponsor Lincoln in support of the event to encourage, discover and explore talent in the independent Black filmmaking community. The Bureau’s participation was announced today by ABFF founder, Byron Lewis Sr., Chairman and CEO of UniWorld Group, Inc. and the Festival’s Producer, Jeff Friday, President and CEO of Film Life, Inc.

“We wholeheartedly welcome our new partners, as well as those who have been with us in the past, and praise the encouragement their sponsorship demonstrates to the growing community of black writers, directors and producers,” Lewis Sr. and Friday said in their joint announcement.

The American Black Film Festival will be held June 26-June 30 in South Beach. The event was formerly known as the Acapulco Black Film Festival, and was relocated to Miami to provide better accessibility and state-of-the-art facilities to Festival attendees.

In addition, Blockbuster, American Airlines, Black Enterprise, BET and The Walt Disney Company/ ABC Inc. have agreed to provide sponsorship.

Home Box Office, the founding sponsor of ABFF, will again this year present the HBO Short Film Award. The submissions of five finalists will be screened during the Festival, and a jury of established filmmakers will select a grand prize winner, who will receive a $20,000 prize.

For the 3rd year since the award’s inception, Lincoln will present the prestigious Lincoln Filmmaker Trophy for Best Film, encompassing both U.S. and International submissions.

Other sponsors of the 2002 American Black Film Festival are: UniWorld Group, Inc., Film Life, Inc., Upscale, Regal Cinemas, Vibe, Enyce and Daily Blossom.