15th Annual American Black Film Festival Recap – Day 1by Wilson Morales
July 7, 2011
What started out as a rainy day in South Beach, Miami at the 15th Annual American Black Film Festival (July 6- 9) turned out to be a great evening as the clouds opened up, the rain stopped and folks were lining up at the Colony Theater for the opening night to see Robert Townsend’s latest film, ‘In The Hive.’
Many fans and celebs (Keenen Ivory Wayans, Lamman Rucker, Mekhi Phifer, DeRay Davis) turned up to support the filmmakers and the cast, which includes Loretta Devine, Vivica A. Smith, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Jonathan ‘Lil J’ McDaniel in a starring role.
‘In The Hive‘ is based on the real experiences of the people who attend and teach at a special school in North Carolina called “The Hive.” It’s based on a true story about this woman in North Carolina named Vivian Saunders, who basically without really any formal education, started an alternative school for all these boys who were being kicked out: gang bangers, drug dealers. And they’re all teenagers, fathers at 14 and 15.
Prior to the star of the film, ABFF founder and CEO Jeff Friday came on stage and thanked the audience for its continued support of the festival over years from it’s early location in Acapulco, Mexico, then Miami, followed by a move to Los Angeles, and now back to Miami.
Friday then proceeded to thank the city of Miami, including the Mayor. Friday introduced his corporate sponsors, which included Grey Goose sponsor Chauncey Hamlett, NFL player and Team Sizzle sponsor Terrell Suggs, HBO, and Wells Fargo. All in all, ABFF was able to attract over 30 companies to help sponsor the four day festival.
When the film was over, the afterparty was at Club Play, which was sponsored by NBC’s upcoming series ‘The Playboy Club.‘ Cast member Naturi Naughton was on hand to help host the opening night party.
