{"id":8818,"date":"2017-05-17T15:42:29","date_gmt":"2017-05-17T19:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.abff.com\/?page_id=8818"},"modified":"2018-05-16T15:29:55","modified_gmt":"2018-05-16T19:29:55","slug":"spotlight-screenings","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/abff.com\/archive\/2018\/2017-film-screenings\/spotlight-screenings\/","title":{"rendered":"2017 Spotlight Screenings"},"content":{"rendered":"

2017 Spotlight Screenings<\/h1>\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

GIRLS TRIP<\/h1>\r\n

| <\/span><\/h6>\r\n

Presented by the MPAA, Courtesy of Universal Pictures<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

WED 6\/14 | 8:00 PM | OLYMPIA THEATRE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

When four lifelong friends\u2014Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith and Tiffany Haddish\u2014travel to New Orleans for the annual Essence Festival, sisterhoods are rekindled, wild sides are rediscovered, and there’s enough dancing, drinking, brawling and romancing to make the Big Easy blush. James Lopez, head of motion pictures for Will Packer Productions, and Preston Holmes, executive produce.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirector:<\/span> Malcolm D. Lee \r\n\t|<\/span> \r\n\tScreenplay by:<\/span> Kenya Barris & Tracy Oliver \r\n\t|<\/span> \r\n\tProduced by:<\/span> Will Packer, Malcolm D. Lee \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tExecutive Producers:<\/span> Preston Holmes, James Lopez \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tCast:<\/span> Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Tiffany Haddish, Larenz Tate, Kate Walsh, Mike Colter, Kofi Siriboe \r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

TALES<\/h1>\r\n

60 min World Premiere<\/span><\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of BET<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

THU 6\/15 | 11:00 AM | COLONY THEATRE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

A one-hour anthology series that distills classic hip-hop records down to their thematic essence and builds inspired cautionary tales for each hit song.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Q & A with Irv Gotti will immediately follow the screening.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirectors:<\/span> Jessy Terrero, Benny Boom, Irv Gotti, Erik White \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tWriter:<\/span> Joy Kecken \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tExecutive Producer:<\/span> Irv “Gotti” Lorenzo \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tProducer:<\/span> Ron Robinson \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tPrinciple Cast:<\/span> Boris Kodjoe, Clifton Powell, Woody McClain, Jennifer Freeman, Keith Powers, Lance Gross \r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

STEP<\/h1>\r\n

83 min World Premiere<\/span><\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of Fox Searchlight<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

THU 6\/15 | 11:00 AM | MB CINEMATHEQUE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

STEP is the true-life story of a girls’ high-school step dance team against the background of the heart of Baltimore. These young women learn to laugh, love and thrive \u2013 on and off the stage \u2013 even when the world seems to work against them. Empowered by their teachers, teammates, counselors, coaches and families, they chase their ultimate dreams: to win a step championship and to be accepted into college.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirector:<\/span> Amanda Lipitz \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tProducer:<\/span> Steven Cantor, Amanda Lipitz \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tPrinciple Cast:<\/span> Blessin Giraldo, Cori Grainger, Tayla Solomon, Gari McIntyre, Paula Dofat \r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

SPOTLIGHT ON CLASSIC CINEMA<\/h1>\r\n

90 min <\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of National Museum of African American History and Culture<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

THU 6\/15 | 1:30 PM | MB CINEMATHEQUE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

Two films by pioneer filmmaker Madeline Anderson presented by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture followed by Madeline Anderson in conversation with Rhea L. Combs, Ph.D., Curator of Photography & Film and Head of the Earl W. and Amanda Stafford Center for African American Media Arts (CAAMA).<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirector:<\/span> Madeline Anderson \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tProducer:<\/span> Madeline Anderson \r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

WHEN LOVE KILLS: THE FALICIA BLAKELY STORY<\/h1>\r\n

84 min World Premiere<\/span><\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of TV One<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

THU 6\/15 | 2:45 PM | COLONY THEATRE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

Becoming an exotic dancer seemed like a harmless way for Falicia to make and save money, but it doesn’t take long for her to get swept up in the glamour of quick cash. However, after meeting Dino, everything in her life changes. He is the only man who ever said “I love you,” to her, and for this she would do whatever he asks. Falicia becomes Dino’s puppet, and it was kill or be killed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Q & A with director Tasha Smith, Lance Gross, Lil Mama, and Tami Roman will immediately follow the screening.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirector:<\/span> Tasha Smith \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tCast:<\/span> Lance Gross, Lil Mama, Tami Roman \r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

SNOWFALL<\/h1>\r\n

58 min World Premiere<\/span><\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of FX<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

FRI 6\/16 | 11:00 AM | COLONY THEATRE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

Snowfall is a one-hour drama set against the infancy of the crack cocaine epidemic and its ultimate radical impact on the culture as we know it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Q & A with John Singleton will immediately follow the screening.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirectors:<\/span> Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tWriters:<\/span> John Singleton, Dave Andron, Eric Amadio \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tExecutive Producers:<\/span> John Singleton, Dave Andron,Thomas Schlamme, Eric Amadio, Michael London,Trevor Engelson \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tPrinciple Cast:<\/span> Damson Idris, Carter Hudson, Sergio Peris Mencheta, Emily Rios, Juan Javier Cardenas, Michael Hyatt, Amin Joseph, Angela Lewis, Alon Aboutboul, Malcolm Mays, Isaiah John, Filipe Valle Costa \r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

LA 92<\/h1>\r\n

114 min<\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of Nat Geo & Lightbox<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

FRI 6\/16 | 1:45 PM | MB CINEMATHEQUE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

Twenty-five years after the verdict in the Rodney King trial sparked several days of protests, violence and looting in Los Angeles, LA 92, a new feature documentary from National Geographic Documentary Films, immerses viewers in that tumultuous period through stunning and rarely seen archival footage. Produced by two-time Oscar winner Simon Chinn (“Man on Wire”) and Emmy winner Jonathan Chinn (“American High”) and directed by Oscar winners Dan Lindsay and TJ Martin (“Undefeated”), the film looks at the events of 1992 from a multitude of vantage points, bringing a fresh perspective to a pivotal moment that reverberates to this day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Q & A with producer Jonathan Chinn and ABFF Founder Jeff Friday will immediately follow the screening.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirectors:<\/span> Dan Lindsay & TJ Martin \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tProducers:<\/span> Jonathan Chinn, Simon Chinn & Sarah Gibson\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

DOWNSIZED<\/h1>\r\n

84 min World Premiere<\/span><\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of TV One<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

FRI 6\/16 | 3:00 PM | COLONY THEATRE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

Michael and Ebony Nelson’s middle-American, suburban lifestyle is disrupted when they become teenage parents. Forced into a modern-day “shotgun” wedding, they must put their personal goals on hold in order to do what is best for their new family. Amazingly, the two high school sweethearts manage to overcome the odds, and even establish an ideal life. However, life isn’t as perfect as it seems. The success that initially was meant to strengthen their family becomes the very thing that drives them apart. As a result, Michael desperately tries to hold onto everything he’s worked for his entire life. This leads the family on an unconventional adventure to restore their faith, hope, and trust.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Followed by Q & A with cast members Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirector:<\/span> Rhonda Baraka \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tWriter:<\/span> Michelle McKissic \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tProducers:<\/span> Eric Tomosunas, James Seppelfrick \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tCast:<\/span> Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker \r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

90 DAYS<\/h1>\r\n

20 min<\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

FRI 6\/16 | 5:00 PM | MB CINEMATHEQUE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

A riveting story of love, integrity and compassion, 90 DAYS<\/em> is an award-winning short film based on a true story that explores a couple’s life altering decision after ninety days of dating. Fueled with gripping performances by an extraordinary cast led by Teyonah Parris, Nic Few and Pauletta Washington, 90 DAYS<\/em> is groundbreaking in the way that it confronts the human experience of overcoming one of life’s greatest perceived challenges. Written by Nathan Hale Williams and directed by Williams and Jennia Fredrique Aponte, 90 Days<\/em> is touching hearts while navigating the definition of ultimate compassion. Love is greater than anything, including HIV. Executive Produced by Jussie Smollett.<\/p>\r\n

Q & A with the Cast & Directors will immediately follow the screening.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirector:<\/span> Nathan Hale Williams & Jennia Fredrique Aponte \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tWriter:<\/span> Nathan Hale Williams \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tProducer:<\/span> Sol Aponte \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tPrinciple Cast:<\/span> Teyonah Parris, Nic Few, Pauletta Washington, Rodney Chester, Emmett Short \r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

THE DEFIANT ONES<\/h1>\r\n

60 min World Premiere<\/span><\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of HBO<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

FRI 6\/16 | 6:00 PM | COLONY THEATRE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

The first of a four-part documentary series that tells the stories of Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirector:<\/span> Allen Hughes \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tWriter:<\/span> Allen Hughes \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tProducer:<\/span> Allen Hughes, Doug Pray, Andrew Kosove, Broderick Johnson, Laura Lancaster, Jerry Longarzo, Michael Lombardo and Gene Kirkwood\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

MR. CHIBBS<\/h1>\r\n

86 min<\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of the Miami International Film Festival<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

FRI 6\/16 | 8:45 PM | LOEWS HOTEL<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

Reeling from his mother’s death and a subsequent DUI, NYC basketball prodigy and retired NBA All-Star Kenny Anderson looks to discover himself in the midst of a mid-life crisis. Anderson traces past footsteps to confront haunting memories and find solace in becoming the father he never had time to be. Combining unseen footage with raw moments of reflection, “Mr. Chibbs” explores what happens when the talent fades and a sports legend searches for a meaningful future. Directed by Jill Campbell.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirector:<\/span> Jill Campbell \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tWriter:<\/span> Jill Campbell \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tExecutive Producer:<\/span> Barry Greenstein \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tProducer:<\/span> Jill Campbell, Barry Greenstein, Gregory Gerhard \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tPrinciple Cast:<\/span> Kenny Anderson \r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

BIGGIE: The Notorious Life of B.I.G.<\/h1>\r\n

126 min<\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of A+E Networks<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

SAT 6\/17 | 10:30 AM | COLONY THEATRE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

“Biggie: The Life of Notorious B.I.G” premiering Wednesday, June 28 at 9PM ET\/PT on A&E is the first biography to be authorized by his estate and will allow the late Christopher Wallace to narrate his own life story through exclusive archival footage and audio recordings and new interviews by those who loved him most. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirector:<\/span> Mark Ford \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tProducers:<\/span> Mark Ford, Kevin Lopez, John Moryaniss, Tara Long, Voletta Wallace, Faith Evans, Elaine Frontain Bryant, Shelly Tatro, Brad Abramson \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tPrinciple Cast:<\/span> Christopher Wallace, Faith Evans, Voletta Wallace, Lil Cease, Junior Mafia, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Shawn “Jay Z” Carter and Nas\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

CLAWS<\/h1>\r\n

60 min<\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of Turner<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

SAT 6\/17 | 2:30 PM | COLONY THEATRE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

Claws is a midnight-dark, wickedly funny meditation on female badness set in a South Florida nail salon. It follows the rise of five diverse and treacherous manicurists working at the Nail Artisan of Manatee County salon, where there is a lot more going on than silk wraps and pedicures. Claws is about good women caught in bad places with worse men. It’s the story of hardworking women trying to get by in this economy, set against the surreal, bright, gritty landscape of Florida and the luscious, absurd, extreme excesses of the crime world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Talk back with Karrueche Tran, Judy Reyes, and Executive Producer Janine Sherman Barrios to immediately follow the screening.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tCast:<\/span> Niecy Nash, Karrueche Tran, Judy Reyes \r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

WOMEN IN CINEMA<\/h1>\r\n

90 min<\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of Facebook in association with Daughters of Eve Media<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

SAT 6\/17 | 2:30 PM | MB CINEMATHEQUE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

Women in Cinema: This year we shine a light on award-winning filmmaker, Tracy Heather Strain, on her journey as a feature documentarian over the past 28 years. Strain will share her career path and a look into her latest documentary, Sighted Eyes\/Feeling Heart<\/em> \u2013 the first feature biography documentary about Lorraine Hansberry, the artist and activist best known for writing A Raisin in the Sun<\/em> \u2013 which debuts on PBS as a part of the Emmy-winning American Masters<\/em> series in 2018.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirector:<\/span> Tracy Heather Strain \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tWriter:<\/span> Tracy Heather Strain \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tProducer:<\/span> Tracy Heather Strain\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

QUEEN SUGAR<\/h1>\r\n

60 min World Premiere<\/span><\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of OWN<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

SAT 6\/17 | 5:30 PM | COLONY THEATRE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

Charley and Davis remain entangled, Ralph Angel tries to find his footing on the family farm, and Aunt Violet confronts her feelings for Hollywood. Plus, Micah has a dangerous encounter with a police officer and Nova deals with the loss of her relationship with Calvin and later holds a community fundraiser.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirector:<\/span> Kat Candler \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tWriter:<\/span> Monica Macer \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tExecutive Producers:<\/span> Ava DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey, Monica Macer \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tPrinciple Cast:<\/span> Rutina Wesley, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Kofi Siriboe, Omar J. Dorsey, Tina Lifford, Nicholas L. Ashe, Dondre T. Whitfield, Timon Kyle Durrett, Ethan Hutchison \r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

INSECURE<\/h1>\r\n

30 min World Premiere<\/span><\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of HBO<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

SAT 6\/17 | 8:00 PM | COLONY THEATRE<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

Insecure returns this season with Issa, Molly and Lawrence trying to come to terms with the reality of being in their 30\u2019s. Premieres July 23rd on HBO.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirector:<\/span> Melina Matsoukas \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tWriter:<\/span> Issa Rae \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tProducers:<\/span> Issa Rae, Larry Wilmore, Prentice Penny, Dave Becky, Michael Rontenberg, Jonathan Berry, Melina Matsoukas \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tPrinciple Cast:<\/span> Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Lisa Joyce, Y\u2019lan Noel, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n

ALL EYEZ ON ME<\/h1>\r\n

137 min<\/h6>\r\n

Courtesy of Lionsgate, Codeblack Films and Morgan Creek Productions<\/span><\/h4>\r\n

SAT 6\/17 | 9:15 PM | REGAL CINEMAS<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\"movie\r\n\r\n

“ALL EYEZ ON ME” tells the true and untold story of prolific rapper, actor, poet and activist Tupac Shakur. The film follows Shakur from his early days in New York City to his evolution into being one of the world’s most recognized and influential voices before his untimely death at the age of 25. Against all odds, Shakur’s raw talent, powerful lyrics and revolutionary mind-set propelled him into becoming a cultural icon whose legacy continues to grow long after his passing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\tDirector:<\/span> Benny Boom \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tWriters:<\/span> Jeremy Haft, Eddie Gonzalez, Steven Bagatourian \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tExecutive Producer:<\/span> Wayne Morris \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tProducers:<\/span> James G. Robinson, David Robinson, L.T. Hutton \r\n\t|<\/span>\r\n\tCast:<\/span> Kat Graham, Lauren Cohan, Hill Harper, Jamal Woolard, Danai Gurira and Demetrius Shipp Jr. as Tupac Shakur \r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"2017 Spotlight Screenings","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":0,"parent":8764,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-8818","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/abff.com\/archive\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/abff.com\/archive\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/abff.com\/archive\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abff.com\/archive\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abff.com\/archive\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8818"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/abff.com\/archive\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11506,"href":"https:\/\/abff.com\/archive\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8818\/revisions\/11506"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abff.com\/archive\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8764"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/abff.com\/archive\/2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}