ABFF Announces Short Film Award Competition SelectionsPosted by Wilson Morales
May 11, 2012
FILM LIFE’S 16th ANNUAL AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES
THE HBO SHORT FILM AWARD COMPETITION SELECTIONS
Winner of the 15th Annual HBO Short Film Award Competition
to be presented with $20,000 grand prize
Film Life Inc., today announced the HBO Short Film Award competition selections for the 16th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) taking place in South Beach Miami, FL, June 20th – 23rd.
The HBO Short Film Award competition, which has been an integral part of the festival for 15 years, is one of the most prestigious platforms for emerging filmmakers. Five finalists’ films are screened before the festival audience and each vie for a grand prize of $20,000. In addition, the films in competition will also be considered for broadcast on one of HBO’s programming services. Talent discovered through this competition include filmmakers: Sylvain White (The Losers, Stomp the Yard), Frank E. Flowers (Haven) and Saladin Patterson (“Psych,” “The Bernie Mac Show” and The Fighting Temptations).
Jeff Friday, founder and CEO of ABFF states, “HBO has consistently demonstrated a commitment to discovering new filmmakers, which is the goal of our festival.” He adds, “Every year, the HBO Short Film Award competition is a highlight, and we are thrilled to have HBO actively involved as our founding and premier sponsor.”
The complete list of the 2012 HBO Short Film Award Competition films is as follows:
ZERO, written and directed by Kimberly Townes (World Premiere)
An introverted teen is forced to defend herself when her bullies threaten to spill the beans about her crush on the math teacher.
CHERRY WAVES, written and directed by Carey Williams (World Premiere)
A story of love, loss, and finding oneself set against the world of underground street fighting.
SLEEP, written and directed by Donald Conley (World Premiere)
Rashad assumes the responsibility of his household during the one morning that changes the rest of his life.
WOMACK, written and directed by André Wilkins (World Premiere)
A vicious crime leaves a Brooklyn man wrestling with his conscience, searching for an escape to greater purpose.
BUSTED ON BRIGHAM LANE, written and directed by Talibah Newman (World Premiere)
A teenage girl takes precariously creative measures to reconcile her relationship with her estranged father for her 18th birthday after spotting him singing on the train.
“The success of the HBO Short Film Award stems from both the hard work and creativity found in the black filmmaking community,” said Lucinda Martinez, vice president, Domestic Network Distribution & Multicultural Marketing at HBO. “It was created to celebrate young filmmakers and we’re extremely proud of all the talent the competition has brought to the forefront.”
Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. Through its film showcases and special contests, it annually introduces the top echelon of emerging artists to the film and television industry.
The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based event marketing, production and film distribution company founded in 2000 by Jeff Friday (CEO). For full details on this year’s festival, please visit www.abff.com.
