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CINEMA, CELEBRITIES, CLASSES: American Black Film Festival (ABFF) celebrates 13 successful years.
The main venue was the Ritz Carlton, South Beach, but events were held throughout South Beach. Opening night included a pre-reception party, followed by the film, “WHY WE LAUGH: Black Comedians on Black Comedy,” and the opening night party, sponsored by BET Networks.
By Thursday morning, the daily schedule was nearly nonstop. From 8:00 a.m.-4:00 a.m. the schedule was loaded with film screenings, symposiums, Master Classes, mixers, and parties.
One Village Entertainment provided a daily “Pampering Suite” with manicures, pedicures, showcases of their films as well as several celebrity guests.
HBO marked its 12th annual Short Film Competition, and hosted a talk series as well.
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Ladies celebrate and pay tribute to the king of pop, Michael Jackson, at the ABFF partner event with SHAQ and DL Hughley
The ALLSTATE “Be Reel” Films had a strong presence. Party goers were especially pleased with the official ABFF/Soblu party that featured a live performance by Raheem DeVaughn.
TNT provided a sneak preview of “Hawthorne.”
ESPN's symposium was also a hit with attendees.
“I got a lot out of that,” festival attendee Spike Spillberg said.
The Master Classes, which were newly added this year, were three hours in length and full to capacity.
“I gave you my heart,” Robert Townsend said at the close of his Master Class: 'The Ultimate Pitch.'
Townsend talked about his personal experiences in the movie industry. He also pulled names and allowed audience participants to pitch their projects. The remainder of the audience worked with Townsend as “executives,” deciding which pitches they would or would not buy. Keeping the feedback constructive, honest, and positive, Townsend created an interactive, energetic environment. Townsend pointed throughout the room, saying there are directors, actors, and writers in the room. He encouraged participants to maximize the opportunity to meet each other and look for ways to work on projects. He closed with an inspiring story from his personal experience, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
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The Masters: John Singleton and Greg Allen Howard, two of ABFF's Master Class teachers
John Singleton's “The Art of Directing” was an interactive class that moved from John Wayne and Iconography through the film “Baby Boy” and screen analysis. Insightful and in-depth, Singleton walked and talked about what inspired and impacted his directorial journey, including having “Pam Grier's breasts shaking” over his head, so to speak. Singleton lived near a movie theatre with a big screen and he could watch movies from his room. From time to time, Pam Grier (and her favorable anatomy) came into his room, via the screen. He talked about his personal, academic, and professional journey, including the momentum he gained meeting Spike Lee. Singleton spoke about his commitment to making positive contributions to the fabric of society, which film has the power to do.
During the question and answer session, he spoke very favorably about Taraji Henson's multi-dimensional talents and the projects they are working on. The unexpected and untimely death of Michael Jackson also called forth a question about Singleton's experience and memories of Jackson. Singleton said he knew Michael Jackson would be one of the people he worked with once he entered the business. When he directed “Remember the Time,” Singleton laid out his vision to Michael Jackson and brought in choreographer Fatima Robinson, insisting that she was going to teach Mike some new dance moves.
Singleton laughed several times while recalling his and Jackson's experiences during the making of “Remember the Time.” At completion of the video, they watched it together. Singleton told Jackson the video had to stay as it was because it was perfect that way, and Jackson agreed. They also listened to some old Richard Pryor, and Jackson “giggled” throughout. He told Singleton it had been a long time since he'd heard Pryor.
Gregory Allen Howard's “Story Design” class was effective, informative and powerful. Other notables were: Tyler Perry's company which sponsored several students to attend; the Centerpiece Premiere film “Pastor Brown;” Stella Artois' nightly mixers; the ABFF awards, hosted by Sanaa Lathan; and the closing film, “Black Dynamite.”
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Young stars on the rise and good friends, Chyna Layne and Michael B. Jordan, join Rockmond Dunbar for the premiere of "Pastor Brown"
ABFF's partner event with SHAQ and DL Hughley was also a smash. The highly comedic Hughley hosted the All-Star Comedy Jam which featured Arnaz J, Earthquake, Lavell Crawford, and Melody Camacho, the only female on the ticket. The event brought out NBA star and birthday boy, Rasaul Butler, as well as NBA and NFL players, recording artists, and other stars including: Damon Jones, Marques Colston, T Streets, Brian Courtney Wilson, Leslie Small, Bob Sumner, Charles Oakley and many more.
Other ABFF venues were studded with stars including: Brian Hooks, Chyna Layne, Mari Morrow, Cherie Johnson, Clifton Powell, Uncle Luke (Skywalker), Rockmond Dunbar, Michael B. Jordan, Rhonda Baraka, Kenya Moore, Michael Beach, and many, many more.
Keep an eye out for up and coming actor, actress, Bechir Sylvain and Khalilah Joi Dubose, who were winners of the STAR project, up and coming directors, Rashaad Ernesto Green and Ya'Ke Smith.
As it has done for years, ABFF gave established stars a chance to share and shine. ABFF also gave insight and inspiration to new talent.
Founder, Jeff Friday said the festival has given opportunities for several directors, producers, and actors to meet and merge for successful projects. Presently, some alumni who met at ABFF include the producer and director of “Stomp the Yard.” The two people running Tyler Perry's company also met at ABFF.
“Futuristically, a great legacy would be: we're at 13, you look maybe seven to ten years, look ten years from now, when we are at twenty three-for you to be able to name and recognize film makers I can say are alumni of our festival. The longer the list, the greater the legacy,” says Friday.
Keep an eye out for EURweb's interviews of some of this year's ABFF alumni, including: Brian Hooks, Ya'Ke Smith, Rashaad Green, Chyna Layne, Bechir Sylvain and Khalilah Joi Dubose.
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