The first virtual edition of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) will feature Mary J. Blige, Barry Jenkins, Yvonne Orji, Lil Rel Howery, Salli Richardson Whitfield, Kenya Barris, Lena Waithe, Spike Lee, Naturi Naughton, Nia DaCosta, Lamorne Morris, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Angela Rye, Jemele Hill, Lee Daniels, Lala Anthony, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Laz Alonso, Michael Rainey Jr., Bevy Smith, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Radha Blank, Logan Laurice, Tracy Oliver. #blackexcellence
“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 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. Thanks to our sponsors and everyone who participated, we are able to deliver provocative conversation and compelling entertainment when our community most needs it.”
Highlights include A CONVERSATION WITH KENYA BARRIS on his career as writer/producer and creator of the hit television series black-ish, which generated two spin-offs, grown-ish and mixed-ish, and the Netflix original series #blackAF, his life behind and now in front of the camera, as well as his new projects. Angela Rye, Host, On 1 podcast. Actor, author and entrepreneur will moderate.
GABRIELLE UNION: MINDING HER BUSINESS – Actor, author and entrepreneur, Gabrielle Union talks about her career, while balancing motherhood and growing her various multi-faceted business enterprises.
ABFF COMEDY WINGS PRESENTS: COMICS ON COMEDY – Comedian/Actor Yvonne Orji (Insecure) hosts a funny and insightful discussion with Lil Rel Howery (LIVE in Crenshaw, HBO Comedy Special) and four of the former winners of the Comedy Wings Competition.
A CONVERSATION WITH MARY J. BLIGE – Journalist Jemele Hill (The Atlantic, Unbothered) interviews Mary J. Blige, the 2020 ABFF Ambassador, about her career in music and successful transition to film and television.
ABFF FIRST LOOK: CANDYMAN CLIPS & CONVERSATION WITH NIA DACOSTA – A conversation with director/writer Nia DaCosta, talking all things CANDYMAN as well as clips of select scenes from the upcoming October release.
CONVERSATION & FINANCIAL FACTS WITH SALLI RICHARDSON-WHITFIELD – A discussion with actor and producer/director, Salli Richardson-Whitfield about her long-standing career and approach towards financial planning.
IN CONTROL: BLACK FEMALE PERSPECTIVES ON DIRECTING AND STORYTELLING – Daughter of Eve presents a conversation with three dynamic Black female directors on feature and documentary filmmaking offering a window into their creative journeys and processes. Panelists include Gina Prince- Bythewood, Director, The Old Guard, Christine Swanson, Director, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, Jacqueline Olive, Director, Always in Season
STARZ presents POWER BOOK II: GHOST – POWER BOOK II: GHOST cast and creators to discuss the newest chapter in the POWER universe. Panelists include, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson – Executive Producer, Michael Rainey Jr. – Actor/ portrays Tariq St. Patrick, Naturi Naughton – Actor/ portrays Tasha St. Patrick, Mary J. Blige – Actor/ portrays Monet Stewart Tejada, Cliff “Method Man” Smith – Actor/ portrays Davis MacLean.
BEST OF THE AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS HOSTED BY BORIS KODJOE & NICOLE ARI PARKER – The culminating event of the festival where the competitive film award winners are announced. Presenters:
• Best Director – Telva Mcgruder, Cadillac; Lee Daniels, Director (The United States vs. Billie Holliday)
• Best U.S. Narrative – Salene Hitchcock-Gear, Prudential Financial and La La Anthony, Actor (The Chi)
• Best Screenplay – Sinqua Walls, Actor (BET’s American Soul)
• John Singleton Award for Best First Feature – Spike Lee, Director (Da 5 Bloods) and Jeff & Nicole Friday (ABFF)
• Best International Narrative – Keith La Goy, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Boris Kodjoe & Nicole Ari Parker
• HBO Short Film Award – Bevy Smith, Television Personality (Bevelations sirusXM)
• Best Web Series – Keesha Boyd, Comcast and Logan Browning, Actor (Dear White People)
• Best Documentary – Latasha Gillespie Amazon Studios and Laz Alonso, Actor (The Boys)
Registration for the free Community pass or Industry pass opens August 21st at 12noon ET.
Sponsors include Warner Media, HBO® (Founding) and HBO Max, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Presenting Sponsors); Comcast NBCUniversal, Amazon Studios & Amazon Prime (Premier Sponsors); Cadillac, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Peacock, IMDb, Netflix, Motion Picture Association (MPA), Jeff Friday Media, Prudential Financial, STARZ, a Lionsgate company UMC, Moet Hennessy, Verizon Media (Official Sponsors); AspireTV, Facebook, New York University, Morgan Stanley, and Universal Production Music (Supporting Sponsors); Blackfilm.com, 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.
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