NEW YORK, NY, May 24, 2012 – Film Life Inc., today announced the launch of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Webisode Challenge taking place at this year’s festival in South Beach Miami, FL, June 20th – 23rd. This inaugural competition is a national platform that will identify talented writers, directors and producers who demonstrate outstanding promise in creating episodic television ideal for broadcast on the Internet.
This emerging genre, as well as the potential for success within the genre, has allowed for innovative opportunities for content creators to expand their ideas. Moreover, this, the first-ever ABFF Webisode Challenge, will allow for talented filmmakers to showcase their work in a spirited and competitive atmosphere.
For consideration, entrants were required to submit three (3) episodes of a webisode series. Each webisode must be directed, written and produced by a person of African descent, feature a person of African descent in the leading role or a multicultural cast and must not have any exclusive broadcast deal/agreement with any digital platform or television network.
“The Webisode Challenge is an exciting opportunity for us to continue to support thought leaders and emerging talent in entertainment,” said Jeff Friday, CEO of Film Life and ABFF founder. “Our next generation of stars and industry success stories are in digital media.”
Each of the four competing webisodes will be viewed by the festival audience at a special hosted event. After viewing the webisodes, audience members will use their mobile device to vote for their favorite via text message. The results will appear live on a screen in the room and the winner will be presented with a cash prize of $2,500 by the ABFF. As an additional honor, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution will fly the winner to Los Angeles, CA for a pitch meeting and lunch with one of their distribution and digital executives.
ABFF 2012 Webisode Challenge Contestants:
Eeazy
Directed by John Wheatley, produced by Benny Demus
SYNOPSIS: A series with a storyline based on family loyalty and what happens when murder, family relations and friendships become entangled.
Gettin’ Grown TV
Directed by Aaron Greer, produced by Anthony Ferraro
SYNOPSIS: GGTV is a slice-of-life family friendly series about growing up in the city where some get lost…and some get grown!
Osiris
Directed by Donnie Leapheart, produced by Redd Claiborne, Rodney Breedlove and LaQuanda Plantt
SYNOPSIS: Osiris is a new 10-episode action/thriller series featuring mystery, espionage and gritty crime fiction.
12-Steps to Recovery
Produced and directed by Tony Clomax
SYNOPSIS: 12-Steps to Recovery is a romantic comedy about a New York City actor and jingle writer who gets dumped by his corporate girlfriend.
HBO (Founding and Premier Sponsor); Gold Peak Tea (Premier); gmc Television Network, American Airlines, Cadillac, CNN and Ciroc (Official Sponsors); Grab Media, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, smartwater, Nielsen, BET Networks, Stella Artois and Wells Fargo (Supporting Sponsors); The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority and Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (Host Sponsors) and SAGIndie, One Village Entertainment, Miami Film Month, thirdREEL (Promotional Partners); Media Sponsors include: Black Enterprise, Uptown (Official Level); Jones Magazine and Precious Times (Supporting Level).
Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. Through its film showcases and special contests, it annually introduces the top echelon of emerging artists to the film and television industry.
The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based event marketing, production and film distribution company founded in 2000 by Jeff Friday (CEO). For full details on this year’s festival, please visit www.abff.com.
For ABFF Webisode Challenge Contestant photos, please visit: http://ls-pr.com/?p=1093
For media inquiries, contact Lisa Sorensen at 646-330-5458 or Lisa@ls-pr.com