{"id":6964,"date":"2016-06-27T10:05:31","date_gmt":"2016-06-27T14:05:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.abff.com\/?p=6964"},"modified":"2016-09-14T14:10:52","modified_gmt":"2016-09-14T18:10:52","slug":"star-studded-lineup-of-entertainers-celebrate-20th-anniversary-of-the-american-black-film-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abff.com\/archive\/2018\/star-studded-lineup-of-entertainers-celebrate-20th-anniversary-of-the-american-black-film-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Star-Studded Lineup of Entertainers Celebrate 20th Anniversary of the American Black Film Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

FESTIVAL CLOSES WITH TOP HONORS TO \u201cDESTINED\u201d FOR BEST ACTOR & BEST DIRECTOR<\/em><\/h2>\r\n\r\n

Miami, Florida (June 27, 2016)<\/em> – The 20th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced the winners of its competition categories at an awards ceremony on Saturday, June 18, at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Top awards went to Destined, Daddy Don’t Go<\/em><\/strong> and Service to Man<\/em><\/strong>. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

This year\u2019s ABFF was filled with informative and innovative programming that included film premieres, panels, workshops and master classes led by Hollywood notables. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

The star-studded lineup included Common, Omari Hardwick, Robert Townsend, Cedric the Entertainer, Gabrielle Union, Nate Parker, Will Packer, Tichina Arnold, Teyonah Parris, Nicole Bahari, Soledad O’Brien<\/strong> and T.D. Jakes<\/strong>, who joined in the festival\u2019s activities in support of new filmmakers and artists of color. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) presented the festival\u2019s opening film, Central Intelligence<\/em><\/strong>. The charismatic buddy action film, starring Kevin Hart<\/strong> and Dwayne \u201cThe Rock\u201d Johnson<\/strong>, was screened at the historic Olympia Theater in downtown Miami. The film’s leading lady, Danielle Nicolet, greeted attendees and introduced the film, along with a video welcome from her two leading co-stars. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Following the screening, the opening night party, always well attended, proceeded at one of South Beach\u2019s hottest night spots: Story. The wildly popular DJ D-Nice<\/strong> provided sounds well into the night, later joined by this year\u2019s ABFF Celebrity Ambassador, Common<\/strong>, for an impressive spontaneous performance. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

The ABFF master classes continue to be a high point for those with interests centered on film and television. This year\u2019s classes included \u201cWriting for Television,\u201d with Comcast NBCUniversal\u2019s SVP of Programming Talent Development & Inclusion for NBC Entertainment and Universal Television Studios. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Karen Horne<\/strong>; \u201cTV Production \u2013 The HBO Way\u201d presented by Bruce Richmond<\/strong>, EVP of Production; and the Actor\u2019s Boot Camp, led by Bill Duke<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\u201cA Conversation With,\u201d presented by American Airlines, is part of the ABFF\u2019s top-rated Talk Series. The intimate and powerful exchange between TV One host and journalist Roland Martin and ABFF Celebrity Ambassador Common<\/strong> was particularly revealing and compelling, as they discussed the industry, what it means to be a person of color within it and how levels of success are achieved. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Spotlight Screenings, Master Classes, Industry Coaching Seminars, and informative panel discussions, among other exciting events, comprise the five-day festival. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

ABFF First Look: The Birth of a Nation<\/em><\/strong>, presented by the MPAA, courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures. Journalist and author Star Jones<\/strong> moderated a discussion with filmmaker and actor Nate Parker<\/strong> (Beyond the Lights, Red Tails<\/em>) and actor Gabrielle Union<\/strong> (\u201cBeing Mary Jane,\u201d Bad Boys II<\/em>) about this provocative film and the journey from conception to distribution. The Making of Almost Christmas<\/em><\/strong>, presented by Comcast NBC Universal, provided an inside look at Universal\u2019s new comedy with writer\/director\/executive producer David E. Talbert<\/strong> (Baggage Claim<\/em>), producer Will Packer<\/strong> (Roots, Think Like A Man<\/em>) and actor Gabrielle Union<\/strong> (\u201cBeing Mary Jane,\u201d Bad Boys II<\/em>). Another highlight of the festival was an Industry Coaching Seminar with Akil Productions<\/strong>, where husband and wife team Salim Akil<\/strong> and Mara Brock-Akil<\/strong> presented how to navigate a career in screenwriting and introduced a new ABFF initiative: ABFF Women\u2019s Writers Lab<\/strong>. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Spotlight Screening<\/strong> schedule was filled with informative and stimulating topics and conversations, including a screening of TBS\u2019s Angie Tribeca<\/em> and Q&A with star Deon Cole<\/strong>; Stepping Up: Stories of Jazz & Caregiving<\/em>, sponsored by AARP; United Shades of America<\/em> screening and conversation with W. Kamau Bell<\/strong>, courtesy of CNN Original Series; the world premiere of TV One\u2019s Bad Dad Rehab<\/em> followed by a Q&A with the cast, Malik Yoba, Wesley Jonathan, Robert Riley, Rick Gonzalez<\/strong> and Robert Ri’chard<\/strong>; and Next On HBO<\/strong>, presented by HBO, a conversation with Jacob Anderson, Andre Holland, Nathalie Emmanuel<\/strong> (Game of Thrones<\/em>), Jazmyn Simon<\/strong> and John David Washington<\/strong> (Ballers<\/em>). <\/p>\r\n\r\n

ABFF is filled with great connecting and networking opportunities for attendees. This year\u2019s \u201cPower Lounge,\u201d sponsored by Cadillac, was a three-day lounge for Deco passholders and included meet and greets with actors Omari Hardwick<\/strong> and Tichina Arnold<\/strong>. McDonald\u2019s sponsored ABFF Game Night, hosted by actress and blogger Skye Townsend<\/strong>. Guests enjoyed complimentary McDonald\u2019s breakfast sandwiches and pies, specialty cocktails, courtesy of Zacapa Rum, and of course games, including air hockey, pool, poker, karaoke and traditional card games. Time Warner hosted a Mojito Mixer for Writers with the goal of connecting with emerging content creators. Kwese\u2019 Media was the host of a private reception to discuss international distribution options with festival filmmakers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

ABFF consistently partners with companies to establish and maintain meaningful relationships and, most importantly, to offer opportunities for creative individuals aspiring to succeed in film and television. To that end, ABFF has created the following competitions and workshops:<\/p>\r\n\r\n

For the past three years, HBO and ABFF have partnered to find the next comedy star with the Comedy Wings Competition<\/strong>. This year’s host was Cedric the Entertainer<\/strong>. Out of five finalists, Daphnique Springs<\/strong> deservingly took home the coveted award. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

The McDonald\u2019s \u201cMy Community\u201d Video Competition<\/strong> encourages filmmakers to produce a 90-second video illustrating what being deeply rooted in your community means. Director Tyshun Wardlaw won the film equipment prize package valued at $2,500 for her film, Be the Seed<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Comcast NBCUniversal partnered with ABFF for two talent initiatives at the festival this year: The Star Project<\/strong>, searches to find the next fresh face for film and television, and the NBC Television Hosting Workshop<\/strong>, designed to help emerging TV hosts sharpen their skills and identify dynamic personalities ready for on-air opportunities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

TV One\u2019s 2nd annual Screenplay Competition<\/strong> highlighted three new writers who received an all-expense-paid trip to the ABFF, where each finalist got an opportunity to direct a scene from their script. Professional actors in front of a live audience at TV One’s “Celebrity Scene Stealers” performed each script during the festival.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

VH1 partnered with the ABFF for the first annual Unscripted Workshop<\/strong>, where they selected and hosted five individuals with interesting show concepts. Programming executives spent two days working with them to discuss the business of show creation and provide tips to further develop their projects.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In celebration of 20 years, ABFF ALL ACCESS captured interviews with participating talent, Gabrielle Union, Robert Townsend, Common and more, to discuss their ABFF experiences and stories. All interviews will be available on the ABFF website. Cadillac commissioned artist Brandon Odums to create a mural celebrating ABFF\u2019s 20th year. The installation honored the past by looking toward the future and asked attendees to jot down their ideas for African American characters and storylines missing in today\u2019s movies, and then placed them on the art at the end of each festival day. The finished piece will be displayed in Detroit, Michigan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

ABFF prides itself on supporting its own, and this year it presented special screenings of ABFF alumni work, including writer-director Steve Caple Jr.\u2019s skateboard film The Land<\/em>, director Randy Wilkin\u2019s documentary on Roy Jones Jr., titled 86-32<\/em>, and Ringside<\/em>, the TV One film from radio personality and director Russ Parr. In addition to screenings, ABFF hosted the ABFF Alumni Filmmaker Reunion<\/strong>, sponsored by BET, at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Hosted by actor and comedian Chris Spencer<\/strong>, the 20th anniversary celebration concluded with \u201cBest of the Festival\u201d<\/strong> awards, a star-studded ceremony celebrating the achievements and successes of filmmakers, writers and actors. ABFF\u2019s closing night party, sponsored by Hennessy, capped the night off. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

\u201cWe are more than honored to have had the opportunity to serve the community of diverse artists and creators over the past twenty years,\u201d said Jeff Friday<\/strong>, ABFF Founder. \u201cWe are encouraged that the industry has awakened to the power of inclusion. We salute all of our partners who have sustained us over our journey, with special thanks to founding sponsor HBO and this year\u2019s presenting sponsors Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, TV One, Cadillac and McDonald’s. Through their support we have been able to realize goals that 20 years ago we could only dream.”<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The top winners at the \u201cBest of the Festival\u201d awards were The Fix<\/em><\/strong>, taking the coveted \u201cAudience Award,\u201d presented by BET; \u201cBest Screenplay,\u201d presented by Time Warner, went to How To Tell You\u2019re a Douchebag<\/em><\/strong>, written by Tahir Jetter; and Destined<\/em><\/strong>, directed by Qasim Basir received the award for \u201cBest Director,\u201d presented by Cadillac, with the festival\u2019s highest cash prize of $25,000. Cory Hardrict<\/strong> took top honor as \u201cBest Actor\u201d for Destined<\/em><\/strong> and gave a powerful acceptance speech in honor of his mother. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Giving back to the community provided the perfect theme for the conclusion of the 20th anniversary celebration of the American Black Film Festival. As part of Miami Film Month, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau partnered with the ABFF to host a Community Day film-screening event on Father\u2019s Day at the Lyric Theater, located at 819 NW 2nd Avenue in Historic Overtown. The host for these festivities was singer and actress Brave Williams<\/strong>. Attendees had an opportunity to view three films from the 2016 ABFFs screening schedule, including Bad Dad Rehab<\/em>, which will air on TV One on July 3, the documentary Through My Lens<\/em>, which will air on Aspire TV in October during National Anti- Bullying Month, and Love Under New Management: The Miki Howard Story<\/em>, directed by Christine Swanson and starring Teyonah Parris<\/strong>. Throughout the day there were scheduled speakers, including Malik Yoba<\/strong> and Lamman Rucker<\/strong>. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Following the 2016 ABFF, BET Networks and the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) unveiled a programming partnership, ABFF Encore at BET Experience<\/strong>, at the BET Experience @ L.A. LIVE, June 24-26. ABFF Encore at BET Experience<\/strong> featured select films from the 2016 ABFF (How to Tell You Are a Douchebag, Destined<\/em> and Everything But A Man<\/em>), along with master classes in a variety of disciplines including acting, directing and producing. This year\u2019s classes were led by filmmaker\/producer Robert Townsend, creator\/producer Kenya Barris and actor\/producer Tasha Smith. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Links to Images:<\/p>\r\n\r\n

ABFF Encore @ BET Experience Master Class
\r\nhttp:\/\/assignments.gettyimages.com\/mm\/nicePath\/gyipa_public?nav=pr442564115<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

ABFF Encore @ BET Experience Screening Destined
\r\nhttp:\/\/assignments.gettyimages.com\/mm\/nicePath\/gyipa_public?nav=pr442565448<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

ABFF Encore @ BET Experience Screening How To Tell You\u2019re A Douchebag
\r\nhttp:\/\/assignments.gettyimages.com\/mm\/nicePath\/gyipa_public?nav=pr442564448<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

ABFF Encore @ BET Experience Screening The Life of a Showrunner \/ Master Class
\r\nhttp:\/\/assignments.gettyimages.com\/mm\/nicePath\/gyipa_public?nav=pr442564456<\/a><\/p>\r\n

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2016 AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

THE \u201cBEST OF FESTIVAL\u201d AUDIENCE AWARD<\/strong><\/span>
\r\n (Presented by BET)<\/p>\r\n \r\n

THE FIX<\/strong>
\r\nDirector: Paris Bauldwin
\r\nWriter: Paris Bauldwin
\r\nProducers: Paris Bauldwin, Kenny Lofton, Brenton Earley\t
\r\nCast: Meta Golding, Eric Roberts, Asia Queen, Nicole Steinwedell, Blaine Gray, Jeremy Suarez, Sean O’Bryan, Timon Kyle Durrett, Jeremy Luke<\/p>\r\n\r\n

GRAND JURY PRIZE FOR BEST SCREENPLAY<\/strong><\/span>
\r\n (Presented by Time Warner)<\/p>\r\n \r\n

HOW TO TELL YOU’RE A DOUCHEBAG<\/strong>
\r\nDirector: Tahir Jetter
\r\nWriter: Tahir Jetter
\r\nProducers: Julius Pryor, Marttise Hill, Tahir Jetter
\r\nCast: Charles Brice, DeWanda Wise, Jenna Williams, William Jackson Harper, Tonye Patano, Alexander Mulzac<\/p>\r\n\r\n

GRAND JURY AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR<\/strong><\/span>
\r\n (Presented by Cadillac)<\/p>\r\n\r\n

DESTINED<\/strong>
\r\nWriter\/Director: Qasim Basir
\r\nProducers: Tommy Oliver, Rick Rosenthal, Matt Ratner
\r\nCast: Cory Hardrict, Jesse Metcalfe, Margot Bingham, Robert Christopher Riley, Zulay Henao, Jason Dohring, Mo McRae, La La Anthony, Hill Harper, James McCaffrey, Curtiss Cook<\/p>\r\n\r\n

GRAND JURY AWARD FOR BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE<\/strong><\/span>
\r\n (Presented by Prudential)<\/p>\r\n\r\n

SERVICE TO MAN *World Premiere <\/strong>
\r\nDirectors: Aaron Greer, Seth Panitch
\r\nWriter: Seth Panitch
\r\nProducers: Aaron Greer, Seth Panitch
\r\nCast: Morgan Auld, Christopher Livingston, Lamman Rucker, Keith David<\/p>\r\n\r\n

GRAND JURY AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Cory Hardrict<\/strong>
\r\nDestined<\/em><\/strong>
\r\nWriter\/Director: Qasim Basir
\r\nProducers: Tommy Oliver, Rick Rosenthal, Matt Ratner<\/p>\r\n\r\n

HBO\u00ae SHORT FILM COMPETITION<\/strong><\/span>
\r\n (Presented by HBO)<\/p>\r\n \r\n

FLOWERS *World Premiere<\/strong>
\r\nDirectors: Nikyatu Jusu, Yvonne M. Shirley
\r\nWriters: Nikyatu Jusu, Yvonne M. Shirley
\r\nProducers: Nikyatu Jusu, Yvonne M. Shirley
\r\nCast: Amee Apedo, Belle LeGrand, Grant Tambellini<\/p>\r\n\r\n

BEST WEB ORIGINAL<\/strong><\/span>
\r\n (Presented by Comcast Xfinity)<\/p>\r\n\r\n

2 SELF HELP BOOKS AWAY FROM BEING PERFECT<\/strong>
\r\nDirector: Lopez Williams
\r\nWriter\/Creator: Kimberly Young
\r\nProducers: Lopez Williams, Kimberly Young, Morris Young, Richard Monroe, Lori Stewart Tannis, Sam Baumel
\r\nCast: Kimberly Young, DJ Cipha Sounds, Nate Gill, Carmen Lynch, Sharron Paul, Jourdan Guyton, Jared Prudoff-Smith, Lauren Besser, Gibran Saleem, Godfrey Taylor, Jr., Sue Berch<\/p>\r\n\r\n

BEST DOCUMENTARY<\/strong><\/span>
\r\n (Presented by Hennessy)<\/p>\r\n\r\n

DADDY DON’T GO<\/strong>
\r\nDirector: Emily Abt, Andrew Osborne
\r\nWriter: Emily Abt
\r\nProducers: Emily Abt, Keryn Thompson, Suzette Burton, Omar Epps, Malik Yoba<\/p>\r\n\r\n

ABFF TALENT DISCOVERY PROGRAMS<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

COMEDY WINGS COMPETITION WINNER<\/strong>
\r\n(Presented by HBO)
\r\nDaphnique Springs<\/p>\r\n\r\n

MCDONALD\u2019S \u201cMY COMMUNITY\u201d VIDEO COMPETITION WINNER<\/strong>
\r\nBe the Seed<\/em><\/strong>
\r\nDirected by: Tyshun Wardlaw<\/p>\r\n\r\n

STAR PROJECT<\/strong>
\r\n(Presented by NBC)
\r\nKelcy Griffin<\/p>\r\n\r\n

TV ONE SCREENPLAY COMPETITION WINNER<\/strong>
\r\nTale of a Script<\/em><\/strong>
\r\nWritten by: N’Zuri Za Austin<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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Join the conversation on social media by logging on to ABFF’s multiple social media platforms:<\/p>\r\n