15 AUDREY'S SOCIETY WHIRL BEACON, July 7 - 13, 2016 newyorkbeacon.net By Audrey J. Bernard, Society Editor American Black Film Festival celebrates 20th year anniversary By Audrey J. Bernard from their script. Professional Miki Howard Story, directed by Society Editor actors in front of a live audience Christine Swanson and starring at TV One’s “Celebrity Scene Teyonah Parris. Throughout he American Black Film Stealers” performed each script the day there were scheduled Festival (ABFF) is the during the festival. speakers, including Malik Yoba nation’s largest gathering VH1 partnered with the and Lamman Rucker. Tof Black film and television en- ABFF for the first annual Un- Sponsors for the 2016 Amer- thusiasts. Commemorating its scripted Workshop, where they ican Black Film Festival are 20th anniversary in June 2016, selected and hosted five individ- HBO® (Founding and Present- ABFF returned to South Beach uals with interesting show con- ing Sponsor), Greater Miami for fun in the sun in Miami cepts. Programming executives Convention & Visitors Bureau Beach, Florida from June 15- spent two days working with (Host and Presenting Sponsor), 19, and festivalgoers celebrated them to discuss the business of TV One, Cadillac and McDon- non-stop for five days with an show creation and provide tips ald’s (Presenting Sponsors); enhanced program that includ- to further develop their projects. BET, Comcast NBCUniver- ed entertainment, expanded Hosted by actor and comedi- sal, Hennessy and Prudential networking opportunities and a an Chris Spencer, the 20th anni- (Platinum Sponsors); AARP, reunion of many favorite stars. versary celebration concluded American Airlines, Coors Light, Also included were many an- Will Packer, Nicole Friday, Salli Richardson Whitfield, Jeff Fri- with “Best of the Festival” Kwesé Media, Miami Beach nual movie premieres, master day, Emiyatzy Corinealdi and Anthony Anderson awards, a star-studded ceremo- Visitor & Convention Authority classes, panels and celebrity ny celebrating the achievements (MBVCA), Motion Picture As- conversations culminating in TV One host and journalist Washington (Ballers). and successes of filmmakers, sociation of America (MPAA), a black tie awards ceremony Roland Martin and ABFF Ce- ABFF was filled with great writers and actors. ABFF’s Time Warner and VH1 (Official on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at lebrity Ambassador Common connecting and networking closing night party, sponsored Sponsors); Planned Parenthood the Loews Miami Beach Ho- was particularly revealing and opportunities for attendees. by Hennessy, capped the night of America, Tanqueray and tel where top awards went to compelling, as they discussed This year’s “Power Lounge,” off. “We are more than honored TBS (Supporting Sponsor); Destined, Daddy Don’t Go and the industry, what it means to sponsored by Cadillac, was to have had the opportunity to 21st Century Fox, ABC, AS- Service to Man. be a person of color within it a three-day lounge for Deco serve the community of diverse PiRE, Atlanta Mayor’s Office This year’s ABFF was filled and how levels of success are passholders and included meet artists and creators over the past of Film & Entertainment, CAA, with informative and innovative achieved. and greets with actors Omari twenty years,” said Friday. “We CNN Original Series, Face- programming that included ABFF First Look: The Birth Hardwick and Tichina Arnold. are encouraged that the industry book, Fox Searchlight Pictures, film premieres, panels, work- of a Nation, presented by the McDonald’s sponsored ABFF has awakened to the power of Miami-Dade County Tourist shops and master classes led MPAA, courtesy of Fox Search- Game Night, hosted by actress inclusion. We salute all of our Development Council (TDC), by Hollywood notables. The light Pictures. Journalist and and blogger Skye Townsend. partners who have sustained us Motion Picture Editors Guild, star-studded lineup included this author Star Jones moderated Guests enjoyed complimentary over our journey, with special RLJ Entertainment, SAGIndie, year’s Celebrity Ambassador a discussion with filmmaker McDonald’s breakfast sand- thanks to founding sponsor The Root, and Walter Kaitz Common, Omari Hardwick, and actor Nate Parker (Beyond wiches and pies, specialty cock- HBO and this year’s presenting Foundation (Industry Partners); Robert Townsend, Cedric the the Lights, Red Tails) and actor tails, courtesy of Zacapa Rum, sponsors Greater Miami Con- Black Enterprise, Ebony Mag- Entertainer, Gabrielle Union, Gabrielle Union (“Being Mary and of course games, including vention & Visitors Bureau, TV azine, MIA Magazine, Upscale Nate Parker, Will Packer, Ti- Jane,” Bad Boys II) about this air hockey, pool, poker, kara- One, Cadillac and McDonald’s. and TheYBF.com (Media Part- china Arnold, Teyonah Parris, provocative film and the journey oke and traditional card games. Through their support we have ners); and Blacknoir.com and Nicole Bahari, Soledad O’Brien from conception to distribution. Time Warner hosted a Mojito been able to realize goals that 20 The JDot Agency (Promotional and T.D. Jakes, who joined in The Making of Almost Mixer for Writers with the goal years ago we could only dream.” Partners). the festival’s activities in sup- Christmas, presented by Com- of connecting with emerging The top winners at the “Best 2016 American Black Film port of new filmmakers and cast NBC Universal, provided content creators. Kwese’ Media of the Festival” awards were Festival Award Winners: Grand artists of color. an inside look at Universal’s was the host of a private recep- The Fix, taking the coveted Jury Award for Best Screenplay, The Motion Picture Asso- new comedy with writer/direc- tion to discuss international “Audience Award,” presented presented by Time Warner/Tahir ciation of America (MPAA) tor/executive producer David distribution options with festival by BET; “Best Screenplay,” Jetter - How To Tell You’re a presented the festival’s open- E. Talbert (Baggage Claim), filmmakers. presented by Time Warner, Douchebag; Grand Jury Award ing film, Central Intelligence. producer Will Packer (Roots, For the past three years, HBO went to How To Tell You’re a for Best Actor/Cory Hardrict – The charismatic buddy action Think Like A Man) and actor and ABFF have partnered to find Douchebag, written by Tahir Destined; Grand Jury Award for film, starring Kevin Hart and Gabrielle Union (“Being Mary the next comedy star with the Jetter; and Destined, directed Best Director, presented by Ca- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jane,” Bad Boys II). Another Comedy Wings Competition. by Qasim Basir received the dillac/Qasim Basir – Destined; was screened at the historic highlight of the festival was This year’s host was Cedric the award for “Best Director,” Grand Jury Award for Best Olympia Theater in downtown an Industry Coaching Seminar Entertainer. Out of five finalists, presented by Cadillac, with the Narrative Feature Film, pre- Miami. The film’s leading lady, with Akil Productions, where Daphnique Springs deservingly festival’s highest cash prize of sented by Prudential/ Service to Danielle Nicolet, greeted at- husband and wife team Salim took home the coveted award. $25,000. Cory Hardrict took Man, produced by Aaron Greer tendees and introduced the film, Akil and Mara Brock-Akil pre- The McDonald’s “My Com- top honor as “Best Actor” for and Seth Panitch; HBO Short along with a video welcome sented how to navigate a career munity” Video Competition en- Destined and gave a powerful Film Award Winner/ Flowers, from her two leading co-stars. in screenwriting and introduced courages filmmakers to produce acceptance speech in honor of written and directed Nikyatu Following the screening, the a new ABFF initiative: ABFF a 90-second video illustrating his mother. Jusu and Yvonne M. Shirley; opening night party took place Women’s Writers Lab. what being deeply rooted in Giving back to the commu- Star Project Winner, presented at Story, one of South Beach’s The Spotlight Screening your community means. Direc- nity provided the perfect theme by NBC, Kelcy Griffin; Mc- hottest night spots. The wildly schedule was filled with infor- tor Tyshun Wardlaw won the for the conclusion of the 20th Donald’s “My Community” popular DJ D-Nice provided mative and stimulating topics film equipment prize package anniversary celebration. As Video Competition Winner/Be sounds well into the night, later and conversations, including a valued at $2,500 for her film, part of Miami Film Month, the The Seed, directed by Tyshun joined by Amb. Common for screening of TBS’s Angie Tri- Be the Seed. Greater Miami Convention & Wardlaw; TV ONE Screenplay an impressive spontaneous per- beca and Q&A with star Deon Comcast NBCUniversal Visitors Bureau partnered with Competition Winner/Tale of a formance. Cole; Stepping Up: Stories of partnered with ABFF for two the ABFF to host a Community Script, written by N’Zuri Za The ABFF master classes Jazz & Caregiving, sponsored talent initiatives at the festival Day film-screening event on Fa- Austin; Best Web Original, continue to be a high point for by AARP; United Shades of this year: The Star Project, ther’s Day at the Lyric Theater, presented by Comcast Xfinity/ those with interests centered America screening and con- searches to find the next fresh located at 819 NW 2nd Avenue 2 Self Help Books Away from on film and television. This versation with W. Kamau Bell, face for film and television, and in Historic Overtown. The host Perfect, written and created by year’s classes included “Writing courtesy of CNN Original Se- the NBC Television Hosting for these festivities was singer Kimberly Young, directed by for Television,” with Comcast ries; the world premiere of TV Workshop, designed to help and actress Brave Williams. Lopez Williams; The Best of NBCUniversal’s SVP of Pro- One’s Bad Dad Rehab followed emerging TV hosts sharpen Attendees had an opportuni- Festival Audience Award, pre- gramming Talent Development by a Q&A with the cast, Malik their skills and identify dynamic ty to view three films from the sented by BET Networks/The & Inclusion for NBC Entertain- Yoba, Wesley Jonathan, Rob- personalities ready for on-air 2016 ABFFs screening sched- Fix, produced by Paris Bauld- ment and Universal Television ert Riley, Rick Gonzalez and opportunities. ule, including Bad Dad Rehab, win, Kenny Lofton and Bren- Studios. Robert Ri’chard; and Next On TV One’s 2nd annual which aired on TV One on July ton Early; Best Documentary, “A Conversation With,” pre- HBO, presented by HBO, a Screenplay Competition high- 3, the documentary Through My presented by Hennessy-Daddy sented by American Airlines, conversation with Jacob Ander- lighted three new writers who Lens, which will air on Aspire Don’t Go, produced by Emily is part of the ABFF’s top-rated son, Andre Holland, Nathalie received an all-expense-paid trip TV in October during National Abt, Keryn Thompson, Suzette Talk Series. The intimate and Emmanuel (Game of Thrones), to ABFF, where each finalist got Anti- Bullying Month, and Love Burton, Omar Epps, and Malik powerful exchange between Jazmyn Simon and John David an opportunity to direct a scene Under New Management: The Yoba. (See Page 21 for additional coverage and photos courtesy ABFF) 21 AUDREY'S SOCIETY WHIRL BEACON, July 7 - 13, 2016 newyorkbeacon.net By Audrey J. Bernard, Society Editor

he American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated Tto showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. The festival is committed to the belief that Black artists and content creators deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a ve- hicle to promote diversity in the motion picture industry, and strengthen the Black film- making community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career ABFF Founder Jeff Friday development. Today, the ABFF erty of ABFF Ventures, LLC, Enterprise. See AUDREY’S is recognized as the preeminent both in front of and behind the of the leading film festivals in which is a partnership between SOCIETY WHIRL on Page 15 pipeline to new Black talent, camera, and is regarded as one the world. The ABFF is a prop- Film Life, Inc., and Black for additional editorial.