May 2009 | blackfilm.com | 2009 HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL

May 2009

2009 HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL

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2009 HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
LINEUP ANNOUNCED FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY

May 4, 2009 (Beverly Hills, CA) --

102 FILMS EXPLORE A BROAD RANGE OF THEMES AND ISSUES

The lineup for the 10th anniversary of the Hollywood Black
Film Festival (HBFF) has been officially announced. The festival runs June 2-7, 2009 in Beverly
Hills, CA, and will unspool a total of 102 films in five categories over 6 days. The lineup
includes 19 features, 47 shorts, 20 documentaries, 13 student films, and 3 music videos, from
eight countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Japan, the
Bahamas, Central African Republic, and Ghana. Screenings will be held at the Fine Arts Theatre
(8556 Wilshire Blvd.) and Laemmle Music Hall 3 (9036 Wilshire Blvd.) in Beverly Hills, CA.
"From action to comedy and romance to family-friendly, our 10th anniversary lineup offers
something for everyone. I think we've put together an incredible lineup representative of the vast
creative talents of emerging and veteran black filmmakers," says Tanya Kersey, the festival's
founder and executive director. "This year's films reflect the full diversity of the black
experience in America, and reflect a wide range of cinematic expressions from progressive black
voices."

"I'm really excited about the great new crop of films we're exhibiting this year which come from
a talented group of filmmakers who've pushed their creative boundaries to explore familiar
themes with a fresh new twist. Many of the films explore themes that are edgy, that are
provocative, and may have once been taboo, and it will be interesting to see how audiences
respond" adds HBFF programming director, Jacqueline Blaylock. Blaylock points to the
Christian comedy short "Jesus' Secretary" which pushes the envelope as it poses the provocative
question "what can Jesus do with a secretary from hell," as an example of the festival's edgier
fare. In the film which takes place in Heaven, La Nocca, Jesus' Secretary, has the task of
registering souls. La Nocca’s rambunctious, overbearing nature causes her to make eternal
judgment upon man.

Other notables in this year's lineup include "Afro Samurai: Resurrection," the first full length
animated feature to screen at HBFF. It was executive produced by actor Samuel Jackson and
features the voices of Jackson and Lucy Liu. Award winning artist The RZA did the score.
"Afro Samurai" is the story of an Afro Samurai (Samuel L. Jackson) who when his father’s body
is stolen from its grave, is forced to pick up his sword and wreak bloody vengeance against an
army of deadly foes led by Lady Sio (Lucy Liu), a beautiful and sadistic mastermind from his
past.

Another Hollywood heavyweight will unspool a film at HBFF 2009 as writer-producer Antwone
Fisher ("Antwone Fisher") makes his directorial debut with the short film, "My Summer Friend,"
starring Mykelti Williamson. "My Summer Friend" is the tender story of an ex-con's unlikely
friendship with a old woman in an assisted living home who inspires him to change his life for
the better.

There are a number of recognizable faces in this year's crop of films. In the feature film
category, "God Send Me A Man" stars Robin Givens and Clifton Powell;
"N’Secure" features Essence Adkins, Tempest Bledsoe, Elise Neal and Nephew Tommy from
the Steve Harvey radio show; "Blue" stars Keith David and Charles Malik Whitfield; and "A
Kiss of Chaos" stars Adam Rodrigues from "CSI: Miami" and Michael Williams from "The
Wire."

In the short film category, "I Own You," is written, directed and stars Gary Anthony Williams
from "Boston Legal;" "Addicts" stars Michael Williams from "The Wire;" "Wig" features Kim
Coles; and "Fever," from U.K. filmmaker Q, features Joseph Marcel from "The Fresh Prince of
Bel Air."

Rev. Jesse Jackson and Colin Powell share their thoughts and comments in the documentary
"Ballou," the story of a struggling inner city high school marching band.
The festival's opening and closing night films will be announced later this week.
In addition to film screenings, nearly 100 leading “Industry Insiders” will participate in two
dozen panels and workshops at the festival's adjunct Infotainment Conference. A live, staged
reading from the finalist scripts in the festival's Storyteller Competition, and nightly evening
events, round out the week's festivities.

Following is a rundown of the 102 films screening at the 10th anniversary edition of the
Hollywood Black Film Festival:

Page 1 | Page 2 - Feature Films | Page 3 - Documentaries | Page 4- Student Films/Music Videos

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