#abff2020

        LOS ANGELES, CA, August 31, 2020 – The 24th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF), which took place August 21 - 30 virtually via the newly launched ABFF PLAY platform, wrapped ten days of festivities with ‘The Best of the ABFF Awards,’ hosted by Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker with a simulcast on IMDb (www.imdb.com). Presenters included: Lee Daniels (The United States vs. Billie Holiday), Laz Alonso (The Boys), Bevy Smith (BEVELATIONS), Logan Browning (Dear White People), Sinqua Walls (American Soul), La La Anthony (Power) and Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods). The ceremony closed with an emotional performance by Grammy Award-winning Gospel and R&B Artist Bebe Winans singing his new single Black Lives Matter. The full awards show and highlight reel of ‘The Best of the ABFF Awards’ is available to watch on abffplay.com and www.imdb.com/festival-central/abff/

     The Festival, available online for the first time, drew a global audience from 85 countries around the world. The robust program featured 90 films representing the best in independent Black cinema, virtual networking events, studio screenings, and 30 conversations and panels featuring Stacey Abrams, Kenya Barris, Mary J. Blige, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Barry Jenkins, Yara Shahidi, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Yvonne Orji, Gabrielle Union, Radha Blank, and Lena Waithe among others. Jemele Hill hosted a one-on-one conversation with Blige powered by Cadillac, who was also this year’s festival ambassador.

     With a track record for recognizing Black filmmakers on the rise, this year’s competition attracted a record number of films, over half from first-time filmmakers and the most from female directors in the festival’s history. The festival’s international entries included films from more than ten foreign markets including: Belgium, Brazil, Nigeria, South Africa, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Mozambique, Canada and the United Kingdom. It also marked the introduction of the first annual John Singleton Director Award for Best First Feature for a director of African descent.

       2020 American Black Film Festival Full Winners List:

HBO     Short Film Competition (presented by HBO, Prize: $10,000 for winner; $5,000     for finalists) 

Dolapo Is Fine, directed by Ethosheia Hylton, screenplay by Joan Iyiola, Chibundu Onuzo

 Jury     Award - Best Director (presented by Cadillac, Prize: $10,000)

Hisonni Johnson, Take Out Girl

 John     Singleton Director Award for Best First Feature (presented by Netflix,     Prize: $5,000)

Solomon Onita, Jr, Tazmanian Devil

 Jury     Award - Best US Narrative Feature (presented by Prudential, Prize:     $2,500) 

Curtis, directed and written by Chris Bailey, produced by Kimberly Hwang, Chelsea Davenport and Desi Bee Richardson

 Jury     Award - Best Screenplay (presented by BET, Prize: $2,500) 

Addison Henderson, G.O.D - Givers of Death

 Jury     Award - Best International Narrative Feature (presented by Sony Pictures     Entertainment, Prize: $2,500)

The New Normal (Nigeria), directed by Teniola Olatoni, written by Tunde Babalola, produced by Sourmash Stories

 Jury     Award - Best Documentary (presented by Amazon Studios, Prize: $2,500)

Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back, directed by John Carluccio, written by Tracy E. Hopkins

 Jury     Award - Best Web Series (presented by Xfinity, Prize: $2,500)

Loving in America, directed by Jason Gudasz, written by Bianca Cristovao

 Fan     Favorite Movie

Death of A Telemarketer, directed by Khaled Ridgeway, produced by Datari Turner, Meagan Good, James J. Yi

                       “We are overwhelmed by the support of the community that made this year’s festival possible,” said Jeff Friday, founder and CEO ABFF Ventures.  “We were very encouraged to see a record setting number of submissions, the willingness of our corporate partners and Black talent to stand with us during these uncertain times and the response of our audience around the world.  While we look forward to returning to Miami for our 25th anniversary next year, we are thrilled to have been able to reach a new audience for ABFF this year.”

     Sponsors included WarnerMedia, HBO® (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Presenting Sponsors); Comcast NBCUniversal, Amazon Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Endeavor Content (Premier Sponsors); Cadillac, IMDb, Netflix, Motion Picture Association (MPA), Jeff Friday Media, Prudential Financial, Starz, a Lionsgate company, UMC, Verizon Media (Official Sponsors); AspireTV, BET, Facebook, Moet Hennessy, Morgan Stanley, New York University, PEACOCK, and Universal Production Music (Supporting Sponsors); Blackfilm.com, Black Information Network, Film Independent, and Variety (Marketing Partners).

   For more information on ABFF and up-to-date news, go to abff.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook. Join in on the conversation by using #ABFF20 and #ABFF.

Clockwise from top: Niles Fitch, Shahadi Wright Joseph and Lexi Underwood.

          By Naomi Richard

      The first virtual edition of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), now in its 24th year, for the dates of August 21 – 30, will feature a robust slate of speakers, including Stacey Abrams, Kenya Barris, Mary J. Blige, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Barry Jenkins, Gabrielle Union and Lena Waithe, as well as panels with topics ranging from the business of Hollywood to spotlights on new films and television series. The festival will offer a mix of live and on-demand content at www.ABFF.com.

       “We are gratified by the outpouring of industry support for this year’s ABFF, creating an opportunity for us to reach a global audience with a broad range of compelling content, both live and on demand,” said Jeff Friday, founder and CEO of ABFF Ventures. “Although we plan to be back in Miami for 2021, this year’s virtual festival enables us to engage with an audience that might never be able to attend a destination event.”

      During the opening weekend, a panel discussion was held on the topic, “HOT IN HOLLYWOOD: GEN Z.” Gia Peppers, Host of BET’s Black Coffee, served as the Moderator for panelists Lexi Underwood (Little Fires Everywhere), Niles Fitch (This Is Us) and Shahadi Wright Joseph (Us).

      While describing her experience as a young entertainer, Lexi encouraged other young black performers not to be discouraged. “Be free, open and yourself. Be authentic, speak up and give your opinion. My parents taught me about the arts and I wanted to be on Broadway. I applied for an open audition for Lion King in New York, and with the support of my parents ended up on a national tour. Eventually we moved to Los Angeles for more opportunities.”

       Niles began acting at age 4 with the intention to make it in modeling and entertainment. His goal was to fund his college education. “If I’m not creating I’m dying! I’ve been blessed to consistently work. I was in Lion King but at a point, I tapped out in New York and we ultimately moved to Los Angeles in 2016 for more opportunities. I was getting booked through self-made tapes, but eventually hired an agency. When we moved to LA we stayed in my friend’s closet! I’m now living my purpose and about to enroll in a film program at USC.”

       When asked about the challenges of being a GEN Z artist, Shahadi Wright Joseph spoke candidly. “It’s hard keeping up with school, needing a break but you have to work. You need to keep working and making money and you’re constantly pushing yourself to do more. Now we’re in COVID, I’ve never not worked for this long. It’s hard.”

      The panel of highly successful actors at young ages identified their talent; sought ways to put their skills to use; knocked on doors until someone answered; and found themselves willing to grind until their dreams came true. All gave praise and high marks to their families for believing in them, supporting them and protecting them. This was a critical success factor for each.

     We will continue to cover the film festival; and for more information visit abff.com.  Follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.