Written by Precious Ringor
[Featured in cover image: John Singleton (Boyz n the Hood) was the first African American and youngest filmmaker to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. Picture was taken from American Black Film Festival.]
Celebrating its twenty-fourth year, the American Black Film Festival is holding a ten-day virtual fest which began Friday, August 21 and runs until Sunday, August 30. On Friday, the festival opened with the 23rd annual HBO Short Film Competition which featured five films highlighting black talents. Among previous winners were Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II), and Christine Swanson (The First Ladies of Gospel: Clark Sisters). The competition was hosted by TV and radio personality, Bevy Smith.
The festival will close with “The Best of American Black Film Festival,” where competitive film award winners will be announced. Presenters include Laz Alonso (The Boys), Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods), and Logan Browning (Dear White People). This year, the John Singleton Award for Best First Feature will be awarded for the first time.
This year’s festival will screen 90 films and will be available on demand. Spotlight screenings include Son of the South, written & directed by Barry Alexander Brown, Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn, directed by Muta’Ali Muhammad, and a first look at Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta. There will be ample opportunity for networking and meeting filmmakers from competitive categories throughout the virtual fest.
Grammy Award® winning and Academy Award® nominated singer, actress, and producer Mary J. Blige will be serving as this year’s film festival ambassador. Blige will be participating in numerous events like the Starz sponsored Power Book II: Ghost panel.
Besides screenings, ABFF is also offering a wide variety of panel discussions: “Navigating the Network and Studio Process,” “The Hollywood Executive Experience Through the Black Lens,” and “Black Female Perspectives on Directing and Storytelling” to name a few. In addition, panelists consist of acclaimed award-winning black talents like Mary J. Linge, 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson), Stacey Abrams, Gabrielle Union, and Barry Jenkins.
In the past, ABFF has showcased numerous contents by and about people of African descent. They provide a platform for black film and television enthusiasts, and a cornerstone for emerging black artists. Festival founder and CEO of ABFF Ventures, Jeff Friday, hopes to be back in Miami for 2021 but notes the importance of ABFF’s virtual transition. “This year’s festival enables us to engage with an audience that might never be able to attend a destination event… we are able to deliver provocative conversation and compelling entertainment when our community most needs it.”
Registration for the free community pass opens on Friday, August 21. For more information about the Festival, visit https://www.abff.com/ or follow @AmericanBlackFilmFestival, #ABFF20 #WeAreABFF
Be sure to check out these films among many others during the festival:
A Rose Between Thorns
76 min., Narrative Feature, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Director: Nigel Lewis. Screenwriters: Augustin, Nigel Lewis, James Galloway
Cast: Bernal Huggins, Robertine Webbe
Logline: Hailing as the first movie ever to made on the island nations of Saint Kitts and Nevis, A Rose Between Thorns follows a young girl named Rose who uses dance as a means to escape from the pain caused by her abusive family.
Intolerance No More
80 min., Narrative Feature, USA
Director: Sergio Guerrero Grazafox. Screenwriters: Jennifer Irons, Sergio Guerrero Grazafox
Cast: Paulette Patterson, Christina Morrell, Helen Kennedy, Liza Monet Morales
Logline: A timely action/drama story about an African American woman that has an encounter with a police officer that leaves him dead, while the world watches a real-time hunt for her and the truth.
The Available Wife
100 min., Narrative Feature, USA
Director: Jamal Hill. Screenwriters: Tressa Azarel Smallwood, Jamal Hill, Kyjuan Cleveland
Cast: KJ Smith, Terayle Hill, Clifton Powell, Roger Guenveur Smith
Logline: When money, affairs, power and lies collide, Nicole Wright, a beautiful and successful CEO’s life is about to crumble in front of her. While having an affair with Kingston, the sexy artist on the rise who promises her everything, Nicole learns the hard way that looks can be deceiving and his motives are as dark as the secrets she keeps.
Coming from Insanity
99 min., Narrative Feature, Nigeria
Director & Screenwriter: Akinyemi Sebastian Akrinropo
Cast: Gabriel Afolayan, Damilola Adegbite, Dakore Akande, Bolanle Ninalowo, Sani Danja, Wole Ojo, Wale Ojo, Tina Mba, Odunlade Adekola, Udoka Oyeka, Sharon Ooja, Sambasa Nzeribe
Logline: After being kidnapped at a young age, a young boy with genius-level intelligence creates a path for himself by mastering the art of counterfeiting money.
Our Gorongosa
60 min., Documentary, Mozambique
Director: James Byrne. Screenwriters: James Byrne, Gráinne Keegan, Jaren Lipworth, Carla Rebai
Cast: Dominique Gonçalves
Logline: Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique has become one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife restoration stories. By bringing large-scale, long-term health care, agricultural support, and girls’ education to surrounding communities, Gorongosa is redefining the identity and purpose of this national park.
