WHAT:
It’s time to tune-in NOW to the 2020 ABFF’s Online Festival featuring the best of independent Black cinema, studio premieres, conversationsand panels, along with virtual networking events.
Below, please find a list of films and panel highlights that are FREE to screen and watch through ABFF Play. For a complete list of programming, go to https://www.abff.com/
PANELS:
Tuesday, August 25th Hot at Amazon
A candid conversation with content creators who have current and upcoming projects at Amazon. Each will highlight their Prime Video titles as well as their respective experiences across the entertainment industry and the importance of diverse and inclusive representation. Panelists include Little Marvin (THEM) Creator, Writer and Executive Producer; Lena Waithe (THEM) Executive Producer, Tracy Oliver (Untitled Tracy Oliver Project) Creator, Writer and Executive Producer, Barry Jenkins (The Underground Railroad) Writer, Director, Executive Producer; Tayarisha Poe (Selah and the Spades) Writer, Director; Eugene Ashe (Sylvie’s Love) Writer, Director. Panel will be moderated by Latasha Gillespie, Head of Amazon Studios Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Friday, August 28th, In Control: Black Female Perspectives on Directing and Storytelling Daughters of Eve presents a conversation with three dynamic Black female directors on feature and documentary filmmaking offering a window into their creative journeys and processes. Panelists include Gina Prince- Bythewood, Director, The Old Guard; Christine Swanson, Director, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel; Jacqueline Olive, Director, Always in Season. Moderator is Terri Prettyman Bowles and Michele Prettyman Ph.D., Media Consultants, Daughters of Eve
Friday, August 28th. STARZ presents Power Book II: Ghost Join the cast and creators to discuss the newest chapter in the POWER universe. Panelists include Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Michael Rainey Jr., Naturi Naughton, Mary J. Blige, Monet Stewart Tejada, Cliff “Method Man” Smith with Moderator Yohana Desta the Editor of Vanity Fair.
Sunday, August 30th. Best of the American Black Film Festival Awards Hosted by Boris Kodjoe & Nicole Ari Parker The culminating event of the festival where the competitive film award winners are announced.
Presenters include Lee Daniels, Director (The United States vs. Billie Holliday, La La Anthony, Actor (The Chi), Spike Lee, Director (Da 5 Bloods), Boris Kodjoe & Nicole Ari Parker, and Logan Browning, Actor (Dear White People).
FILMS:
Films are available to stream throughout the festival. Some of the highlights include Award-winning director Jamal Hill who has two official selections, The Available Wife and True to the Game 2: Gena’s Story, starring Vivica A. Fox. Chris Chalk, currently starring in HBO’s Perry Mason, directs, produces and stars in his Narrative Features entry Farewell; while Nick Cannon's selection She Ball stars Brian “Birdman” Williams, Cedric the Entertainer, Chris Brown, Marla Gibbs and Big Boy. Death of a Telemarketer, which is produced by Megan Good and stars Oscar Nominees Jacky Earle Haley and Haley Joel Osment. Dutch, starring Macy Gray, Lance Gross, as well as The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, starring Anika Noni Rose among others.
WHEN:
The Festival runs until August 30, 2020
WHERE:
https://www.abff.com/
PRESS:
MPRM Communications, abff@mprm.com, 323-933-3399
MORE:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to
recognizing black talent and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Dedicated to the belief that diverse artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts, ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to strengthen the black entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, educationand artistic collaboration.
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The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to recognizing black talent and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Dedicated to the belief that diverse artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts, ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to strengthen the black entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration.
After 24 years, the festival has become a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood, providing a platform for emerging black artists – many of who have become today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians, including Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Will Packer (Girls Trip), Issa Rae (Insecure), Kevin Hart (Night School), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II). The ABFF is the preeminent pipeline for black artists in front of and behind the camera, and has significantly expanded the range of talent working in the entertainment Industry.
As “the nation’s largest community of black film and television enthusiasts” the ABFF attracts a broad audience of celebrity talent, emerging artists, upscale consumers and industry stakeholders. Approximately 7,000 to 10,000 people travel to Miami Beach each year for the five-day event. The festival opens with the premiere of an upcoming Hollywood release followed by a full schedule of intriguing independent film screenings, master classes, panels, celebrity talks, live entertainment, and a variety of networking and hospitality events.
