TALENT PIPELINE PROGRAMS
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has a rich history of prestigious talent infusion 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 (i.e. HBO, NBC Universal, Turner, etc.) to heighten industry awareness and offer cash prizes along with career-enhancing opportunities.
Born from ABFF Founder Jeff Friday’s conviction that Black artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts, the talent pipeline platforms act as a valuable conduit between Hollywood and emerging talent including Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Stephen Caple, Jr. (The Land), Clement Virgo (Greenleaf), Omari Hardwick (Power), Emayatze Corinealdi (Ballers), Keronda Kiki McKnight (Bad Dad Rehab), Ben Watkins (Hand of God), Saladin K. Patterson (The Big Bang Theory) and Issa Rae (Insecure).
TALENT PIPELINE PROGRAM |
KEY DATES |
AWARD |
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Selected college students participate in a series of meetings and discussion with top studio and network executives with the goal of securing an internship or entry level position at a major entertainment company. |
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Following the festival, each Finalist will be given notes on the pilot and have several weeks to submit a revised draft. The Grand Prize winner will have their pilot script purchased for $25,000 and a chance for the script to be produced by ColorCreative for BET. |
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One winning content creator will be presented an award before the festival audience, a development prize of $5,000 with an opportunity to receive an additional $10k for a total potential development prize of $15k along with and the potential to further develop an original project in partnership with truTV. |
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There will be 2 grand prize winners. Each winner will win a trip to the 2018 ABFF, a cash prize of $500 and a meeting with Turner Original Programming executives. |
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One winner is selected to receive $5,000 and has the opportunity to meet with a HBO comedy exec post festival. |
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Top selected participant(s) will receive the opportunity to conduct media and/or celebrity interviews during the ABFF 2018 in Miami, Florida, one (1) festival credential and airfare to the ABFF and meeting with NBCU Talent Executives. |
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Three Finalists will receive a trip to the 22nd Annual American Black Film Festival in Miami, Florida, taking place June 13, 2018 through June17, 2018 from which One screenwriter is selected by TV One to receive $5,000 and the opportunity to have their screenplay produced for TV One. Winner is announced at the ABFF Awards Presentation. |
