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TV One Announces Fourth Annual American Black Film Festival Screenplay Competition Finalists

2017 American Black Film Festival Screenplay Winner, “Down for Whatever” Set to Debut at American Black Film Festival on Thursday, June 14 with Television Premiere Scheduled for Sunday, July 22 on TV One

Silver Spring, MD (April 24, 2018) – TV One has announced the 2018 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) TV One Screenplay Competition finalists – Fedna Jacquet (New York, NY), writer of “Isaiah”; Rashim Cannad (Los Angeles, CA), writer of “Connected”; and Sylvester K. Folks (Deatsville, AL), writer of “The Patrolman.”

The three finalists of the TV One competition will receive an all-expense paid trip to this year’s ABFF in Miami (June 13-17). During ABFF’s TV One “Celebrity Scene Stealers” event on Friday, June 15, each finalist will direct a table read of a scene from their script, performed by professional actors participating in this year’s festival in front of a live audience. A brief overview of the TV One Screenplay Competition finalists scripts are as follows:

  • “Isaiah,” a drama by Fedna Jacquet: One young black man is killed. An officer’s life is torn to pieces. Time rewinds as we discover the intimate pieces of the victims’ lives, and see how they and everyone in their lives are changed forever after this fatal encounter.
  • “Connected,” a romantic comedy by Rashim Cannad: In today’s world, where people text before the talk, and where one’s Internet persona rarely resembles their real-life self, a beautiful online personality and a brilliant app developer must find a way to stay connected.
  • “The Patrolman,” a dramedy by Sylvester K Folks: A female cop must pass a job evaluation after a series of aggressive interactions with the public.

This year’s winner will be announced at the ABFF Filmmaker Ceremony on Saturday, June 16. The winner will earn a $5,000 cash prize and an opportunity to have their screenplay produced into an original, made-for-TV movie, which will debut in 2019 on TV One and at the 23rd Annual American Black Film Festival.

Screenwriter and TV One’s 2017 ABFF Screenplay Competition finalist Timothy Folsome will debut his original film, Down for Whatever, during this year’s festival on Thursday, June 14 at The Colony Theatre (1040 Lincoln Road Miami Beach, FL 33139) at 2:30 p.m. The film is slated to premiere on TV One on Sunday, July 22 at 7 p.m.

In the film Down for Whatever, A young female doctor who works at a prestigious hospital learns that her newly-found biological teen sisters are ruthless cop killers that her detective husband is hunting down. The film stars two-time Grammy Award-winning actress and singer LeToya Luckett as Tracy, Calesha “Bre-Z” Murray (Empire) as Denise, Imani Hakim (Everybody Hates Chris) as Sonya and Hosea Sanchez (The Game) as Mike.

For more information about the ABFF TV One Screenplay Competition and TV One’s upcoming programming, visit www.abff.com and the network’s companion website at www.tvone.tv. TV One viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) using the hash tags #Represent and #ABFF18, and catch clips and promos on TV One’s YouTube Channel.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. It supports emerging artists to foster a wider range of images, stories and storytellers represented in the entertainment industry. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. Today, the ABFF is recognized as the preeminent pipeline to new Black talent, both in front of and behind the camera, and is regarded as one of the leading film festivals in the world. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content targeted to upscale African American audiences.

ABOUT TV ONE:
Launched in January 2004, TV One serves 59 million households, offering a broad range of real-life and entertainment-focused original programming, classic series, movies and music designed to entertain and inform a diverse audience of adult black viewers. The network represents the best in black culture and entertainment with fan favorite shows Unsung, Rickey Smiley For Real, Fatal Attraction, and The NAACP Image Awards. In addition, TV One is the cable home of blockbuster drama Empire. In December 2008, the company launched TV One High Def, which now serves 14 million households. TV One is solely owned by Urban One, Inc., formerly known as Radio One, Inc. [NASDAQ: UONE and UONEK, www.urban1.com], the largest African-American owned multi-media company primarily targeting Black and urban audiences.

CAST AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS UPON REQUEST

TV One Media Contact:

Tosha Whitten-Griggs, 202.246.7875 or [email protected]

La’Shawna Saint-Preux, 301.755.2865 or [email protected]

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BLACK PANTHER Director Ryan Coogler Returns to the American Black Film Festival to Headline the ABFF Talk Series

THE 22ND ANNUAL ABFF TO BE HELD IN MIAMI JUNE 13 – 17, 2018

New York, (April 20, 2018) – On the heels of smashing box-office records, Black Panther director/writer Ryan Coogler returns to the 22nd annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) as one of its most distinguished alumni. He will headline the “ABFF Talk Series” on Saturday, June 16 in Miami, Florida.

“A Conversation with Ryan Coogler,” will spotlight Coogler’s journey to success, how he catapulted from a breakout indie talent to an A-list director, and the path he took to become one of the most respected and sought-after filmmakers in Hollywood. The interview will also highlight his connection to the ABFF from the beginning of his career.

Founded by film and television producer Jeff Friday, the ABFF for more than two decades, has provided a platform for emerging black artists. It has premiered the early works and supported the careers of many of today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians – including Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), Will Packer (Girls Trip), Issa Rae (Insecure), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro). Through its TalentWorks initiative, the festival sustains talent pipeline programs supported by entertainment companies (HBO, Turner, ComcastNBCU) that have significantly expanded the reach of the diverse talent working in Hollywood today.

In 2011, Coogler was a beneficiary of one of these programs and won the HBO Short Film Award for his film FIG, along with a $20,000 cash prize.

Following ABFF, Coogler continued his career and directed his first feature-length film, Fruitvale Station, which earned rave reviews. In 2015, he directed the mega-hit Creed, a spin-off of the Rocky films, starring Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone. Most recently, Coogler signed on to executive produce of Creed 2 and tapped another ABFF alum, Steven Caple, Jr., to direct.

In 2016, Coogler was recognized for his accomplishments and was presented with the “Rising Star” award at the 2016 ABFF Honors, an awards show extension of the American Black Film Festival that salutes the outstanding achievement in film and television of individuals, as well as recognizing those who champion diversity and inclusion. ABFF Honors aired on BET Networks.

While filming Creed, Coogler received the call to direct Black Panther and has delivered Marvel and Disney the most outstanding Hollywood achievement of the 21st century to date, a black superhero story with an almost all-black cast. Black Panther has recently surpassed Titanic on the all-time list of highest-grossing films to become the third-biggest earner in unadjusted profits. Coogler’s meteoric rise has secured his place in film history.

“Ryan is a tremendous talent, but more importantly a humble and thoughtful human being. It is because of people like him that the ABFF continues its mission of supporting inclusion in film and television. What he’s accomplished after just three feature films is unprecedented and proves that it is in Hollywood’s own best interest that it continues to focus on diversity,” said Jeff Friday, ABFF Ventures Founder & CEO.

For information about the 2018 American Black Film Festival visit www.ABFF.com. To apply for media credentials to cover the 2018 American Black Film Festival, apply here: https://www.abff.com/miami/media/media-credentials/.

Follow ABFF on its social media platforms:

Sponsors for the 2018 American Black Film Festival are HBO® (Founding and Presenting Sponsor); Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Host and Presenting Sponsor); TV One, Cadillac, and Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting Sponsors); BET and Turner (Premier Sponsors); American Airlines, Codeblack Films, Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and Verizon (Official Sponsors); Gentleman Jack, LOL Networks and truTV (Supporting Sponsors); and SAGIndie and Walter Kaitz Foundation (Industry Partners).

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. For more than two decades, the ABFF has been the standard-bearer of excellence in independent Black cinema, having premiered the works and supported the careers of many of today’s most successful artists, including Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), Will Packer (Girls Trip), Issa Rae (Insecure), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro). Today, it is the preeminent pipeline for Black talent, in front of and behind the camera, significantly expanding the range of talent in the entertainment industry at large. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content, targeted to upscale African American audiences. The company is a joint venture between Film Life Inc. and Black Enterprise, two prominent media and event companies, each with legacies of showcasing the best of African American culture and achievement.

PRESS CONTACT:

Strategic Heights Media
Michelle Huff Elliott
[email protected]
212-634-7176

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The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Announce the Finalists in the 6th Annual Comedy Wings Competition

EMERGING COMEDIANS WILL COMPETE FOR THE TOP SPOT AT THE 2018 ABFF IN MIAMI ON FRIDAY, JUNE 15

Los Angeles, CA (April 11, 2018) – ABFF Ventures announced today their selection of finalists who will compete at the 6th annual Comedy Wings Competition, presented by HBO, during the American Black Film Festival in Miami June 13-17.

Last night, nine comedians competed for a finalist position at The HaHa Comedy Club in North Hollywood, hosted by comedian Alex Thomas. Each finalist will receive an all-expense paid trip to Miami, with the opportunity to win a $5,000 cash prize and attend an informational meeting with HBO talent executives.

They were judged by accomplished artists and industry executives, including “Def Comedy Jam” producer Bob Sumner; television executive and producer Rikki Hughes; comedian and actor Affion Crockett; CAA Executive Jelani Johnson; Original Programming Manager at TBS Networks Olivia Morris; Producer Mark Adkins; Television Personality and Contributor at TMZ Loren Lorosa; ABFF Ventures CEO Jeff Friday and Director of U.S. Syndication Sales at Sony Pictures Television, Monique Kelley.

The Comedy Wings Competition is one of several platforms innovated by the ABFF that is designed to uncover talent and introduce them to a broader audience. ABFF has always participated in the cultivation of Black talent and has provided a stage over the years for dynamic performers such as Kevin Hart, Cedric the Entertainer, Craig Robinson, Tommy Davidson and Bill Bellamy.

“Comedy Wings is an extension of ABFF’s 22-year relationship with HBO, which also includes the HBO Short Film competition. Both of these platforms were created with the intent of introducing emerging talent to the entertainment industry at large,” says ABFF Ventures CEO, Jeff Friday.

“Since its inception, The Comedy Wings competition has been one of the highlights of the ABFF,” said Dennis Williams, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility, HBO. “No examination of Black creativity would be complete without including the comedic tradition and the long legacy of humorists, who have provided insightful laughter and levity when people have needed it the most. HBO has long recognized, nurtured and tended to many of those comedic voices so we are eager to laugh with the talented performers we are sure to see on stage this year at the ABFF!”

This year’s five finalists are emerging comics from across the United States, with diverse styles and sensibilities.

See our complete list below:

Leighann Lord
Recently named one of the 35 Most Hilarious Comedians of Diversity, Leighann has been seen on Lifetime, AspireTV, Comedy Central, HBO’s Def Comedy All-Star Jam and ABC’s, The View. She’s performed for U. S. troops stationed in Europe, the South Pacific, and the Middle East. Leighann’s comedy album, I’ve Got Connections, is played heavily on Sirius satellite radio and she has been a radio/TV co-host on the Emmy-nominated Star Talk with Neil de Grasse Tyson. Leighann, a native New Yorker, is the author of several humor books including Dict Jokes and Real Women Do It Standing Up.

T. Murph
T. Murph is an Internationally known comedian who has been featured on nationally syndicated shows Chicago Fire, Key & Peele, the 2014 Reboot of BET’s ComicView, and Get Shorty on Epix. In 2017, Murph was a 2nd City Breakout Comic, STANDUp NBC finalist and has headlined shows in Dubai, Punta Cana, and Jamaica! T. Murph has built an undeniable following across the country touring hundreds of colleges and performing for thousands of students. When he’s not on tour you can catch him hosting his monthly Show “FADED by T Murph” in Chicago!

Rita Brent
Rita Brent is an up-and-coming Comedienne based in Jackson, Mississippi. In 2013, Rita made a sharp career turn and responded to, what she believes was the voice of God, urging her to do stand-up comedy. Since then, she has been fully committed to the craft and finding a place for her voice in the industry. In 2016, she was the opening act for the late and legendary, Dick Gregory. She also met Rickey Smiley in 2016 and he took her under his wings as a mentee and tours with him often as an opening act on the “Rickey Smiley and Friends Tour.”

Blaq Ron
NBC “Stand Up For Diversity” regional finalist and Dallas, TX native Ron Dailey, more commonly known as “Blaq Ron,” is rapidly burning up the underground comedy scene at a gasoline infused pace! Regaled as one of Texas’ hottest young comedians, the “Malcolm X of Comedy” has certainly hit the ground running. His observational humor quickly gained the attention of the local club promoters and comedy competition judges, which propelled him to feature and tour with comedians Dick Gregory, Robert Powell, Lil Rel Howery, Arlen “Griff” Griffin, Rob Stapleton, Rodney Perry, Joe Torry, Shuckey Duckey, and dozens more.

Kris Atkins
With his quick-witted style of deadpan along with his southern vernacular and twang to match; comedian/writer/actor Kris Atkins often leaves audiences doubled over gasping for air. Kris is the epitome of the old saying “big things come in small packages”. He is considered an observational comedian with experience performing for churches, schools, corporations, arenas, and comedy clubs (Improv, Jokes n Notes, Comedy Store, Caroline’s, Gotham, etc.) all around the nation.

The Comedy Wings Competition Competition is one of several platforms innovated by the ABFF, designed to uncover talent and introduce them to a broader audience. To purchase passes, tickets for events, panels and screenings at the 2018 American Black Film Festival, log on to https://www.abff.com/miami/festival-passes/.

Join the conversation on social media by logging on to ABFF’s multiple social media platforms:

Sponsors for the 2018 American Black Film Festival are HBO® (Founding and Presenting Sponsor); Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Host and Presenting Sponsor); TV One, Cadillac, Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting Sponsors); BET, Turner (Premier Sponsors); American Airlines, Codeblack Films, The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Verizon (Official Sponsors); Gentleman Jack, LOL Networks, and truTV (Supporting Sponsors); and SAGIndie, Walter Kaitz Foundation (Industry Partners).

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. For more than two decades, the ABFF has been the standard-bearer of excellence in independent Black cinema, having premiered the works and supported the careers of many of today’s most successful artists, including Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), Will Packer (Girls Trip), Issa Rae (Insecure), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro). Today, it is the preeminent pipeline for Black talent, in front of and behind the camera, significantly expanding the range of talent in the entertainment industry at large. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content, targeted to upscale African American audiences. The company is a joint venture between Film Life Inc. and Black Enterprise, two prominent media and event companies, each with legacies of showcasing the best of African American culture and achievement.

PRESS CONTACT:

Strategic Heights Media
Michelle Huff Elliott
[email protected]
212-634-7176

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The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Announces New Writing Competition in Partnership with truTV

COMPETITION PROVIDES COMEDY WRITERS A CHANCE AT THEIR BIG BREAK

THE 22ND ANNUAL ABFF RETURNS TO MIAMI JUNE 13 – 17, 2018

New York, New York (April 5, 2018) – The 22nd Annual American Black Film Festival, (ABFF) taking place in Miami, Florida June 13-19, 2018, is thrilled to announce a new talent pipeline program, in partnership with truTV: the ABFF® truTV Comedy Writers Competition.

The first-ever ABFF® truTV Comedy Writers Competition is searching for the next generation of comedic voices and will provide a unique opportunity for a content creator to develop a project with truTV. Each competitor will be required to submit a paper-developed half-hour comedic format (1-2 page document), consisting of a logline of the show premise, the type of format, the talent leading the show and the show overview. truTV is a comedy network, so it’s all about leaning into the comedy first. For inspiration, submitters are encouraged to research existing truTV original programming formats, including Impractical Jokers, Comedy Knockout, Hack My Life and Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks.

For additional information on these competitions and to submit an application, please visit: https://www.abff.com/miami/trutv-comedy-writers-competition/.

Follow ABFF on its social media platforms:

Sponsors for the 2018 American Black Film Festival are HBO® (Founding and Presenting Sponsor); Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Host and Presenting Sponsor); TV One, Cadillac, Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting Sponsors); BET, Turner (Premier Sponsors); American Airlines, Codeblack Films, MPAA, Verizon (Official Sponsors); Gentleman Jack, LOL Networks, and truTV (Supporting Sponsors); and SAGIndie, Walter Kaitz Foundation (Industry Partners).

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. For more than two decades, the ABFF has been the standard-bearer of excellence in independent Black cinema, having premiered the works and supported the careers of many of today’s most successful artists, including Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), Will Packer (Girls Trip), Issa Rae (Insecure), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro). Today, it is the preeminent pipeline for Black talent, in front of and behind the camera, significantly expanding the range of talent in the entertainment industry at large. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content, targeted to upscale African American audiences. The company is a joint venture between Film Life Inc. and Black Enterprise, two prominent media and event companies, each with legacies of showcasing the best of African American culture and achievement.

ABOUT truTV:
truTV is the home for original, creator-driven comedy series with a distinct point of view. With millions of engaged fans across linear, digital and social channels, the cable network features a growing roster of critically-acclaimed premium scripted, non-scripted and hybrid series, such as Adam Ruins Everything, At Home with Amy Sedaris, Bobcat Goldthwait’s Misfits & Monsters, Hack My Life, I’m Sorry, Impractical Jokers, Jon Glaser Loves Gear, Talk Show the Game Show, The Carbonaro Effect, The Chris Gethard Show, Those Who Can’t and more. As a division of Turner, truTV is also a partner in airing the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship each year.

Turner, a Time Warner company, is a global entertainment, sports and news company that creates premium content and delivers exceptional experiences to fans whenever and wherever they consume content. These efforts are fueled by data-driven insights and industry-leading technology. Turner owns and operates some of the most valuable brands in the world, including Adult Swim, Bleacher Report, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CNN, ELEAGUE, FilmStruck, Great Big Story, HLN, iStreamPlanet, Super Deluxe, TBS, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), TNT, truTV and Turner Sports.

PRESS CONTACT:

Strategic Heights Media
Michelle Huff Elliott
[email protected]
212-634-7176

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The American Black Film Festival and Laugh Out Loud Network Announce Filmmaker Fellowship

ENTRIES NOW OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS; THREE FINALISTS TO RECEIVE BUDGET TO PRODUCE FILM THAT WILL PREMIERE AT ABFF 2018

LAUGH OUT LOUD CONTINUES MISSION TO RECOGNIZE AND CHAMPION DIVERSE COMEDIC CONTENT

Los Angeles (February 28, 2018) – Today,the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and Laugh Out Loud, the comedy brand and multi-platform network created by Kevin Hart and global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), announced a new partnership for a filmmaker fellowship showcasing exciting new comedic creative voices. The ABFF and Laugh Out Loud will take submissions for comedic narrative film ideas and scripts that are 5-10 minutes in length and feature diverse casts or have a broad appeal to multicultural audiences, with the top three films to receive a production budget and premiere slot at ABFF.

The “ABFF and Laugh Out Loud Filmmaker Fellowship” begins accepting submissions on March 1, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. PST, ending on March 15, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. PST. ABFF has a rich history of unique programs designed to identify and showcase talent, including directors, writers and other content creators.

“We’re excited about this fellowship program and partnership with Kevin Hart and Lionsgate’s Laugh Out Loud network. We believe that it will unveil some really talented new writer/directors with authentic and keen comedic sensibility,” stated Jeff Friday, ABFF Ventures CEO.

“We’re thrilled to partner with ABFF in an official capacity,” said Jeff Clanagan, President of Laugh Out Loud. “With their legacy of supporting talent in front of and behind the camera and our mission to make big bets on undiscovered comedic voices, the filmmaker fellowship will continue those initiatives to give a platform to the next generation of diverse, comedic stories.”

After submissions close, a panel will select 20 semi-finalists based on a variety of criteria including creativity, comedic integrity, narrative ability, directing, budget restraints, and target demographic. Judges will then narrow down the list to 10 finalists who will be invited to pitch their submissions to a jury consisting of ABFF and Laugh Out Loud representatives. Ultimately, the judges will select three potential winners who will receive an opportunity to have their project produced by Laugh Out Loud, using a fund of up to $20,000 for each filmmaker, and will then premiere their film at the 22nd annual American Black Film Festival in Miami on June 13-17.

Only the first 200 submissions received within the entry period will be accepted to the competition. For complete submission details and to review all eligibility requirements for the ABFF and Laugh Out Loud Filmmaker Fellowship go to: http://abffventures.com/filmmakerfellowship/

ABOUT LAUGH OUT LOUD:
Laugh Out Loud is a comedy brand and multi-platform network founded by the world’s top comedian Kevin Hart, in partnership with Lionsgate. Through his streaming video service Hart delivers his vision for the future of comedy: social, mobile, multicultural and seriously funny. From stand-up legends to globally-recognized digital influencers, Hart and LOL curate comedy’s boldest voices to produce original scripted and unscripted series, stand-up specials, live broadcasts and special events. Hart brings the groundbreaking social-first strategy that earned him 100 million+ followers to Laugh Out Loud, with one core mission: keep the world laughing. Dope Comedy. Delivered Daily. Always On. Always Loud. Directly from Kevin Hart and his hand-picked crew of comedic rockstars. For more, visit LaughOutLoud.com.

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. For more than two decades, the ABFF has been the standard-bearer of excellence in independent Black cinema, having premiered the works and supported the careers of many of today’s most successful artists, including Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), Will Packer (Girls Trip), Issa Rae (Insecure), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro). Today, it is the preeminent pipeline for Black talent, in front of and behind the camera, significantly expanding the range of talent in the entertainment industry at large. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content, targeted to upscale African American audiences. The company is a joint venture between Film Life Inc. and Black Enterprise, two prominent media and event companies, each with legacies of showcasing the best of African American culture and achievement.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Michelle Huff Elliott/Strategic Heights Media – for ABFF
[email protected]
212-634-7176

Laura Michael/Metro PR – for Laugh Out Loud
[email protected]

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The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Develops an Array of Talent Pipeline Programs in Partnership with HBO®, Comcast NBCUniversal, Turner and TV One

FESTIVAL EXTENDS ITS LEGACY OF SUPPORTING TALENT IN FRONT OF AND BEHIND THE CAMERA

THE 22nd ANNUAL ABFF RETURNS TO MIAMI JUNE 13 – 17, 2018

New York, New York (December 20, 2017) – The 22nd annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) returns to Miami from June 13-17, 2018. ABFF has a rich history of prestigious talent pipeline programs designed to identify, showcase and introduce talented artists, including directors, actors, writers and other content creators to the industry at large. These unique programs are partnered with major entertainment media companies such as HBO, Comcast NBCUniversal, Turner, TV One and more and provide industry awareness and cash prizes, along with career-enhancing opportunities within mainstream Hollywood.

Born from ABFF founder Jeff Friday’s conviction that Black artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts, the talent pipeline programs act as a valuable conduit between Hollywood and emerging talent including Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Fruitvale Station, Creed), Stephen Caple, Jr. (The Land, Creed 2), Clement Virgo (Greenleaf), Omari Hardwick (Power, Being Mary Jane), Emayatze Corinealdi (Roots, Miles Ahead, Ballers), Keronda Kiki McKnight (Bad Dad Rehab), Ben Watkins (Hand of God) and Saladin K. Patterson (The Big Bang Theory) are among the festival’s beneficiaries of these unique opportunities.

Comcast NBCUniversal is partnering once again with the American Black Film Festival on the NBCUniversal Hosting Workshop, which is designed to help emerging TV hosts sharpen their skills, and identify dynamic personalities ready for on-air opportunities.

Approximately twenty five (25) candidates are selected to participate in a three day workshop. Two promising hosts are selected to attend the festival and gain hands-on experience conducting red-carpet interviews live from the 2018 American Black Film Festival in Miami.

The 6th annual ABFF Comedy Wings Competition, sponsored by HBO, is a national search to identify people with a natural ability to be funny and have the chops to become outstanding comedic talent. The ABFF Comedy Wings Competition was created to showcase talented, yet undiscovered comedians and introduce them to the industry at large.

Semi-finalists are selected from the pool of entries to perform at a renowned Los Angeles comedy club and prove themselves funny enough to secure a position as a finalist. Up to five finalists will be flown to the 2018 ABFF in June to perform before a panel of esteemed judges, where one will be crowned the winner and receive a $5,000 cash prize along with the opportunity to meet with an HBO comedy executive.

Now in its 21st year, the HBO Short Film Competition is regarded as one of the most prestigious short film showcases in the country. Each year five filmmakers (writers and/or directors of African descent) are selected as finalists to receive a trip to the ABFF in Miami, FL (inclusive of airfare and hotel accommodations) to screen their film during the festival. One of the five films is selected at the festival to receive the HBO® Short Film Award and a cash prize of $10,000.

Turner Broadcasting has partnered with ABFF for a second year, seeking new writing talent through the ABFF Turner TV Writing Contest. Two winners are selected in the genres of Comedy and Drama, with each winner will receiving a cash prize and the opportunity to meet with the original programming development teams at Turner’s TBS and TNT Networks.

The ever-popular TV One Screenplay Competition searches for a feature film writer with a contemporary story, focused on the American black cultural experience that has wide audience appeal. TV One selects three (3) finalists to attend the ABFF in Miami (inclusive of airfare and hotel accommodations). One winner is selected and announced at the ABFF Awards Presentation during the festival. The winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize and will have an opportunity for their film to be produced and air on TV One, the following year.

For complete submission details and to review all eligibility requirements for the ABFF Talent Pipeline Programs go to https://www.abff.com/miami/talent-pipeline-platforms/.

Festival passes are on sale now at www.ABFF.com, offering three different levels of access to festival events. Questions regarding registration should be directed to [email protected].

ABFF SOCIAL MEDIA:

Sponsors of the 2018 American Black Film Festival are HBO® (Founding and Presenting Sponsor); Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Host and Presenting Sponsor); TV One (Presenting Sponsor); Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting Sponsor); Turner (Premier Sponsor); American Airlines (Official Sponsor) and Walter Kaitz Foundation (Industry Partner).

To apply for media credentials, please go to https://www.abff.com/miami/media/media-credentials/.

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. For more than two decades, the ABFF has been the standard-bearer of excellence in independent Black cinema, having premiered the works and supported the careers of many of today’s most successful artists, including Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Anthony Anderson (Blackish), Will Packer (Girls Trip), Issa Rae (Insecure), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro). Today, it is the preeminent pipeline for Black talent, in front of and behind the camera, significantly expanding the range of talent in the entertainment industry at large. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content, targeted to upscale African American audiences. The company is a joint venture between Film Life Inc. and Black Enterprise, two prominent media and event companies, each with legacies of showcasing the best of African American culture and achievement.

PRESS CONTACT:

Strategic Heights Media
Michelle Huff Elliott
[email protected]
212-634-7176

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The 22nd Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Announces the 2018 Master Class Line Up with Industry Veteran Glendon Palmer and Casting Director Kimberly Hardin

Confirmed Workshops include Nailing Your Audition and Financing Independent Films

New York, New York (December 12, 2017) – The 22nd Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is thrilled to announce the 2018 line up for its highly anticipated Master Class series, taking place in Miami, Florida June 13-17. The master classes are intense workshops designed to help emerging artists hone the craft of filmmaking in various disciplines. The classes will be led by two of the industry’s top experts including Glendon Palmer, SVP of Development and Production at Global Road Entertainment and casting director, Kimberly Hardin.

Glendon Palmer will lead the “Master Class: Film Financing” session, which will instruct indie filmmakers on the task of getting their dramatic and/or documentary feature films financed. This class will provide insider perspectives and frank advice on what it takes to get indie pictures made, as well as how ever-changing technologies, distribution windows, alternative financing opportunities, and working with other countries, impact the financing process. Palmer is the Executive Producer of the films Southside with You, Jumping the Broom and Fifty Shades of Black.

Casting director Kimberly Hardin will teach the “Master Class: Nailing Your Audition” session, which will focus on preparation, how to audition and how to own the room. Hardin’s casting credits includes Cadillac Records, Think Like a Man and Snowfall. Her workshop will demonstrate a comprehensive pragmatic approach to gaining employment, understanding pay rates/contracts, mastering one line and “under-five” auditions, and maintaining a positive attitude, while navigating the business.

Master class tickets are sold separately from the festival passes. They are currently available for purchase at https://www.abff.com/miami/master-classes/.

Festival passes are on sale now at www.ABFF.com, offering three different levels of access to festival events. Questions regarding registration should be directed to [email protected].

ABFF SOCIAL MEDIA:

Sponsors of the 2018 American Black Film Festival are HBO® (Founding and Presenting Sponsor); Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Host and Presenting Sponsor); Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting Sponsor); Turner (Premier Sponsor); American Airlines (Official Sponsor) and Walter Kaitz Foundation (Industry Partner).

To apply for media credentials, please go to https://www.abff.com/miami/media/media-credentials/.

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. For more than two decades, the ABFF has been the standard-bearer of excellence in independent Black cinema, having premiered the works and supported the careers of many of today’s most successful artists, including Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Anthony Anderson (Blackish), Will Packer (Girls Trip), Issa Rae (Insecure), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro). Today, it is the preeminent pipeline for Black talent, in front of and behind the camera, significantly expanding the range of talent in the entertainment industry at large. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content, targeted to upscale African American audiences. The company is a joint venture between Film Life Inc. and Black Enterprise, two prominent media and event companies, each with legacies of showcasing the best of African American culture and achievement.

PRESS CONTACT:

Strategic Heights Media
Michelle Huff Elliott
[email protected]
212-634-7176

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Film Submissions Now Open for the 2018 American Black Film Festival

FILM COMPETITION PRIZE MONEY TOPS $100K FOR THE FIRST TIME

New York, New York (November 28, 2017) – The 22nd annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) returns to Miami from June 13-17, 2018 and continues to showcase quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. ABFF founder Jeff Friday, created the festival in 1997 as a means to channel diverse talent directly into Hollywood, inspired by the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. HBO® is the founding sponsor of the festival.

Film submissions are open and, for the first time in the festival’s history, the cash prizes awarded across the four competitive film categories will top $100,000, affording the winning filmmakers the opportunity to continue creating content.

Festival attendees will have their choice of over seventy programs and events, including celebrity conversations, panels, master classes, spotlight screenings and laser talks, in addition to screenings in four competitive categories: Narrative Features, Documentary Features, Web Series and Short Films. A distinguished panel of jurors, who will be announced, at a later date will determine the winners. Actor Jay Ellis will serve as the 2018 ABFF Celebrity Ambassador.

Below is the list of awards for each category. For complete submission criteria and eligibility visit www.abff.com/submissions.

Narrative Features:

  • Best Director (Jury Award)| $25,000 cash award
  • Best Film (Jury award)| $12,500 cash award
  • Audience Award for Best Film| $12,500 cash award

Documentaries:

  • Best Documentary Feature (Jury Award)| $10,000 cash award

Short Films:

  • HBO® Short Film Award| $30,000 total cash awards

Web Series:

  • Best Web Series (Jury Award)| $10,000 cash award

ABFF remains committed to introducing emerging content creators of African descent to the industry at large and is recognized as one of the leading film festivals in the world. Festival passes are on sale now at www.abff.com, and offer three different levels of access to festival events. Questions regarding registration may be directed to [email protected].

ABFF SOCIAL MEDIA:

Sponsors of the 2018 American Black Film Festival are HBO® (Founding and Presenting Sponsor); Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Host and Presenting Sponsor); Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting Sponsor); Turner (Premier Sponsor) and Walter Kaitz Foundation (Industry Partner).

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. For more than two decades, the ABFF has been the standard-bearer of excellence in independent Black cinema, having premiered the works and supported the careers of many of today’s most successful artists, including Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Anthony Anderson (Blackish), Will Packer (Girls Trip), Issa Rae (Insecure), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro). Today, it is the preeminent pipeline for Black talent, in front of and behind the camera, significantly expanding the range of talent in the entertainment industry at large. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and film focused on African American culture.

PRESS CONTACT:

Strategic Heights Media
Michelle Huff Elliott
[email protected]
212-634-7176

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Creators Summit, Films, Conversations, Panels and Red Carpet Events Made the 2017 American Black Film Festival the Most Memorable Year Ever

Miami, FL (June 18, 2017) – The 2017 American Black Film Festival was held in Miami this past week from June 14-18. More than 7,000 attendees flooded the streets of Miami Beach and attended an array of screenings, celebrity conversations, panels and special events to celebrate the festival’s 21st year.

Hollywood’s elite such as Regina Hall, Terrance Howard, John Singleton, Issa Rae, Kofi Sirobe, Lance Gross, NeYo, Boris Kodjoe and more walked red carpets, participated on panels and attended events throughout the five days.

Other highlights from the week included:

  • ABFF Announced Partnership with Lightbox to create diversity in Documentary Filmmaking. For more information, go to www.ABFFVentures.com/Films.
  • OWN premiered “Queen Sugar” Season 2, episode 1 with the entire cast present
  • HBO Celebrated 20 Year Partnership with ABFF and the 20th anniversary of the HBO Short Film Competition
  • HBO premiered its new docuseries, The Defiant Ones, along with the season 2 premiere of “Insecure,” followed by a discussion with the cast to ABFF
  • FX brought the cast and director John Singleton to ABFF to premiere first episode of “Snowfall”
  • Universal Pictures and MPAA premiered “Girl’s Trip” at ABFF as the Opening Night film
  • ABFF welcomed first time ABFF sponsors: Google, A+E Networks, Comcast Spotlight, FX, Hilton, Shea Moisture, OWN, and Verizon
  • Cast of FOX’s “Star” performed at ABFF Filmmakers Awards Presentation
  • In 21 years of ABFF, I can truly say that this year we received an overwhelming amount of support from the studios, networks and our corporate partners. The programming was rich in content and it was so uplifting to see Black writers, directors, showrunners and actors, with major credits able to showcase their work with the full support of the associated studio or network. It is a very optimistic time to be a content creator, said Jeff Friday, ABFF Founder.

On the last day of the festival, we take time to celebrate all the 2017 filmmakers during the awards presentation. Here are our 2017 American Black Film Festival Winners:

2017 ABFF WINNERS LIST

2017 HBO SHORT FILM AWARD, presented by HBO (Prize: $10,000)
“Amelia’s Closet” written and directed by Halima Lucas

2017 STAR PROJECT WINNER, presented by NBC (Prize: $1,000 grant and casting meetings)
Duain Richmond

2017 TV ONE SCREENPLAY COMPETITION WINNER (Prize: $5,000 and a production deal)
“Down for Whatever” – a drama written by Tim Folsome

2017 TURNER TV WRITING CONTEST WINNERS, presented by Turner (Prize: $500 and executive meetings)
Darrin Dortch “Short Changed” (Comedy)
Derege Harding “Fulfillment” (Drama)

2017 BEST WEB ORIGINAL WINNER, presented by Comcast Xfinity (Prize: $2,500)
“Brooklyn.Blue.Sky”
created by Rhavynn Drummer and Dui Jarrod

2017 GRAND JURY AWARD BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE, presented by Prudential (Prize: $5,000)
“Ambition’s Debt”
directed by Devin E. Haqq

2017 GRAND JURY AWARD BEST DIRECTOR, presented by Cadillac (Prize: $25,000)
Eden Marryshow
“Bruce”

2017 COMEDY WINGS WINNER, presented by HBO (Prize: $5,000)
TuRae

NBC TV HOSTING WORKSHOP WINNERS, presented by NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment (Prize: Red Carpet hosting opportunities and meetings with talent executives from NBC, E! and Bravo)
Andrea Laing
Megan Thomas

Join the conversation on social media by logging on to ABFF’s multiple social media platforms:

Sponsors for the 2017 American Black Film Festival are HBO® (Founding and Presenting Sponsor); Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Host and Presenting Sponsor); TV One, Cadillac, Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting Sponsors);Prudential Financial, Turner, BET (Premier Sponsors); American Airlines, ASPiRE, Codeblack Films, Comcast Spotlight, Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Hilton, Shea Moisture, Verizon (Official Sponsors); and A+E Networks, Facebook, FX Networks, Google, Laugh Out Loud!, McDonald’s, Miami Beach Visitors and Convention Authority, Planned Parenthood of America, OWN, and Time Warner (Supporting Sponsors); AIDS Health Foundation, Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Fox Searchlight Pictures, JARO Media Services, Lightbox, Motion Picture Editors Guild, SAGIndie, Streampix, Urban Movie Channel-UMC, Walter Kaitz Foundation (Industry Partners).

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. It supports emerging artists to foster a wider range of images, stories and storytellers represented in the entertainment industry. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. Today, the ABFF is recognized as the preeminent pipeline to new Black talent, both in front of and behind the camera, and is regarded as one of the leading film festivals in the world. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content targeted to upscale African American audiences.

PRESS CONTACT:

Michelle Huff Elliott
Strategic Heights Media
[email protected]
212-634-7176

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The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and Lightbox Announce Partnership to Foster Diversity in Documentary Filmmaking

Films to be developed and produced by Lightbox and the newly formed ABFF Films division and executive produced by ABFF CEO Jeff Friday and Lightbox co-founders Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn

Partnership to begin with an initiative to fund development of feature documentaries, sponsored by 21st Century Fox and National Geographic

New York, New York (June 9, 2017) – Today, The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and Lightbox, a multi-platform media company focused on creating high quality non-fiction programming for film, television and digital platforms, announced they will collaborate on a new initiative to foster diversity in the feature documentary arena.

This multiyear program will leverage Lightbox’s success in producing award-winning and commercially successful documentaries with the ABFF’s unparalleled pipeline and record of accomplishment for identifying many of the industry’s most promising Black filmmakers.

To jumpstart this initiative, ABFF and Lightbox are announcing the ABFF’s inaugural Feature Documentary Competition and a national ‘call to action’ will be made the week leading up to the start of the 2017 American Black Film Festival, which runs June 14-18 in Miami Beach. The competition will be open to all African-American documentary filmmakers and any documentary filmmakers interested in exploring non-fiction stories and themes that speak directly to the African-American experience.

Selected films will be developed and produced by Lightbox and the newly formed ABFF Films division and executive produced by ABFF Ventures CEO Jeff Friday and Lightbox co-founders Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn. The first of the ABFF’s annual Feature Documentary Competition is being co-sponsored by National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, who will fully fund the development of the selected films.

Based in London and Los Angeles, Lightbox has produced several acclaimed documentaries that speak directly to the experience of people of color in America, including ESPN’s “Fantastic Lies” about the 2006 Duke Lacrosse scandal; National Geographic’s “LA 92” that marked the 25th anniversary of the civil unrest in Los Angeles following the verdicts in the Rodney King beating case; and company is currently in production on the only authorized documentary about the life and legacy of the late Whitney Houston.

“We are honored to be partnering with the ABFF to encourage further diversity in the documentary genre.” said Lightbox co-founders Jonathan Chinn and Simon Chinn. “The documentary community has a rich tradition of embracing creative voices from a wide array of demographics and perspectives, but there is clearly more work for us to do to support African-American and filmmakers from minority communities who want to express themselves through the powerful medium of documentary story telling.”

For the past 21 years, ABFF has been deemed as the nation’s most prominent film festival, which recognizes and provides a platform for African American filmmakers. This collaboration will help to elevate unique perspectives and vision in the documentary space.

“We’re so encouraged by the public’s growing appetite for documentary films and are excited to partner with Lightbox, National Geographic and 21st Century Fox Studios to provide this unprecedented opportunity,” says Jeff Friday, CEO of ABFF Ventures.

Details of the National Geographic/ 21st Century Fox sponsored competition and submission guidelines can be found at the ABFF’s website: www.ABFFVentures.com/films.

Details of the initiative will also be announced following a special screening of National Geographic and Lightbox’s feature documentary “LA 92” in Miami as part of the American Black Film Festival. The film, directed by Daniel Lindsay and TJ Martin, will screen on Friday June 16th at 1:45pm at The Miami Beach Cinematheque.

“As we expand our push into premium programming, and especially look for new projects to present under our National Geographic Documentary Films banner, I cannot think of a better opportunity to foster new talent and discover new voices with important stories to tell,” said Tim Pastore, President of Original Programming for National Geographic Channel. “The opportunity to join our parent company in partnering with Jonathan, Simon and the team at ABFF is incredibly exciting. I cannot wait to see what talent we discover.”

Jeff Friday and Lightbox are represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

Join the conversation on social media by visiting ABFF’s multiple social media platforms:

ABOUT LIGHTBOX:
Headquartered in London and Los Angeles, Lightbox is a multinational media company focused on creating high quality non-fiction programming for film, television and digital platforms. It was founded in 2014 by Academy Award and Emmy winning producers and cousins Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn. Simon and Jonathan’s partnership represents a seamless melding of two distinct but compatible backgrounds and a strongly shared creative sensibility. Since its founding in 2014, Lightbox has produced many notable projects including documentary films Atari: Game Over and The Thread, for Xbox Entertainment Studios; an ESPN 30 for 30 film about the 2006 Duke Lacrosse scandal entitled Fantastic Lies; as well as several series for both the UK and US markets such as The Traffickers for Fusion, Inside British Vogue for BBC, The Runner-Up for Esquire, War Child for Channel 4 and the groundbreaking Captive for Netflix. Lightbox recently released its first theatrical feature documentary LA 92, about the 1992 LA Riots for National Geographic’s Documentary Films Division, and is currently in production on the first and only authorized documentary about legendary pop icon Whitney Houston, which is slated to hit theatres in 2018. Prior to co-founding Lightbox, Simon Chinn became one of the world’s most successful feature documentary producers with two Academy Award-winning documentaries, Man on Wire and Searching for Sugar Man, to his credit. His other prior producing credits include Project Nim, The Imposter, The Green Prince, My Scientology Movie. Jonathan Chinn co-founded Lightbox on the heels of a successful career as one of the most respected non-fiction television showrunners in the US, winning an Emmy for American High (Fox/PBS) and the Television Academy’s prestigious Honors Award for 30 Days (FX), the latter of which went on to become FX’s highest rated unscripted series. Other producing credits include Kid Nation (CBS), Push Girls (Sundance) and Hotel Hell (FOX).

ABOUT ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. It supports emerging artists to foster a wider range of images, stories and storytellers represented in the entertainment industry. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. Today, the ABFF is recognized as the preeminent pipeline to new Black talent, both in front of and behind the camera, and is regarded as one of the leading film festivals in the world. The ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures, a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and digital content targeted to upscale African American audiences.

ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PARTNERS, LLC:
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 128 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching over 730 million people around the world in 171 countries and 45 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

PRESS CONTACT:

Michelle Huff Elliott
Strategic Heights Media
[email protected]
212-634-7176