INDUSTRY SUPPORT

The ABFF receives strong industry and corporate support. Many notable members of the film and entertainment industry have lent their support in order to draw national recognition to the festival and help further its mission.

Shameless Name Dropping:

Tatyana Ali, Debbie Allen, Gregory Allen Howard, Anthony Anderson, Tina Andrews, Bryan Barber, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Mara Brock Akil, Reggie "Rock" Bythewood, Reuben Cannon, Thomas Carter, Common, Ice Cube, Rosario Dawson, Mos Def, Loretta Devine, Bill Duke, Michael Ealy, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Tracey Edmonds, Idris Elba, Kimberly Elise, Tracee Ellis Ross, Cedric "The Entertainer", Omar Epps, Carl Franklin, Kevin Frazier, Morgan Freeman, Antoine Fuqua, F. Gary Gray, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Pam Grier, Rob Hardy, Kadeem Hardison, Hill Harper, Isaac Hayes, Dennis Haysbert, Taraji P. Henson, Reginald Hudlin, Warrington Hudlin, Dwayne "the Rock" Hudson, Quincy Jones III, Jill Marie Jones, Richard T. Jones, Regina King, Boris Kodjoe, Eriq LaSalle, Sanaa Lathan, Stan Lathan, Malcolm Lee, Spike Lee, Kasi Lemmons, Harry Lennox, Delroy Lindo, LisaRaye, Lauren London, Nia Long, Anthony Mackie, Seith Mann, Debra Martin Chase, James McDaniels, Kenya Moore, James Mtume, Elise Neal, Will Packer, Nate Parker, Nicole Ari Parker, Suzanne de Passe, Mekhi Phifer, CCH Pounder, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Salli Richardson, Teddy Riley, Shaun Robinson, Evan Ross, Tasha Smith, Kevin Rodney Sullivan, Russell Simmons, John Singleton, Sonja Sohn, Larenz Tate, Chris Tucker, George Tillman, Jr., Robert Townsend, Tamara Tunie, Cicely Tyson, Blair Underwood, Gabrielle Union, Mario Van Peebles, Melvin Van Peebles, Denzel Washington, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Jeffrey Wright and Malik Yoba.

What Hollywood Insiders are Saying...

I've been to film festivals all over th world, and I can say this is the best...
Lee Daniels (Academy Award Nominated Director)

It's truly making a difference, seeing a lot of people walking away with a lot of different deals and connection and things like that.
Mekhi Phifer (Actor)

Its great! Go see films all day and then you can get your groove on all night.
Eriq La Salle (Actor/Director)

Its getting to be a place where filmmakers know that the networking is really important and eyes of Hollywood are going to come here and take note.
Robert Townsend (Director)

You get a chance to be in a relaxing environment with other actors and directors and just talk, talk about regular stuff.
Chris Tucker (Actor)

At HBO films we have a strong commitment to supporting and developing the craft of young filmmakers of color. Working with first-time feature directors is an important part of what we do.
Sam Martin (Director of Development & Production, HBO Films)

We are the ultimate hybrid between Cannes and Sundance film festival, with a little African flavor.
Jeff Friday (ABFF Founder)

The ABFF provides a unique and important forum for established production companies like ours to develop relationships with the most promising filmmaking talent in the industry.
Stan Lathan (CEO, Simmons Lathan Media Group)

The ABFF is important because it offers "industry insiders" the opportunity to identify, cultivate and support the next wave of Black filmmakers. It also allows the aspiring filmmaker or layman access to Hollywood agents, producers, writers, directors, studio executives, lawyers and actors. Overall, the ABFF plays a vital role in shaping the future of both Black and mainstream cinema.
Zola Mashariki (Director of Production, Fox Searchlight Pictures)