The 23nd Anniversary of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced the winners of their independent film awards at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in South Beach, Miami on June 15, 2018
Hosted by actress Erica Ash, who did an amazing job, ABFF founder Jeff Friday announced that starting in 2020 a new award will be presented as the John Singleton Best First Feature, in honor of the legendary director who passed away earlier this year and had attended 17 of the 23 ABFF festivals. There was a moving tribute given by his daughter Justice Singleton.
Presented by Ramcess Jean-Louis, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion for Verizon Media, the winner of the ABFF Web Originals was Little Apple, written and directed by Riley S. Wilson. Producers are Riley S. Wilson, Lisa Cortes, Okema T. Moore, and Angel Lenise.
Starring 10-year-old actress, Milan Williams, Little Apple is a live-action sci-fi web series and comic book as well as a Behind-The-Scenes podcast where Milan and EP Riley S. Wilson discuss and breakdown each episode’s content and themes. The series follows Apple, a little Black girl, born and raised in Harlem, as she and her family deal with her new abilities, growing consciousness and sheer impatience for a new school year.
Little Apple tells the moving and witty story of a young magical Black girl’s transcendence into consciousness—in a society that, for all intents and purposes, is anti-Black and anti-female. Themes explored in the series, comic and podcast include: Gentrification, The Erasure of Native Peoples, Black Feminism, Microaggressions, Black Girl Magic and more.
Presented by actress La La Anthony, 2019 Ambassador for ABFF, the winner for Best Documentary was awarded to One Child Left Behind, directed by Jodi Gomes.
In 2009, 1,176 Atlanta teachers were investigated for test cheating; 35 were indicted, 12 went to trial and 11 were found guilty on RICO charges, which are typically reserved for the mafia and drug lords. The guilty, serving 30-year sentences, finally break their silence in this tell-all, controversial film that takes a closer look at the legislation called No Child Left Behind, the politics behind it, and a race and power struggle that spawned one of the most complex scandals in American history.
Presented by Olivia Morris, TBS Manager, Original Programming and Maura Feerick, TNT Manager, the winners of the 2019 WarnerMedia/ TruTv Comedy and Writing Contest were, Domonic and Kim Smith-Weston, Darnell Brown & Claytia Gonsalves.
Domonic and Kim Smith-Weston won the Comedy contest for Baby Queer Guide, where “Experienced” queer women across the spectrum (lesbian, bisexual, non-binary etc) give tips to Baby Gays (recently out women) on how to navigate all corners of the rainbow. Tips include asking a girl out, finding your “look” or label, buying your first sex toy and how to master gaydar.
Brown won for his dramatic script “LYZ,” a story of how a former show girl becomes the most powerful crime leader in 1920s Harlem.
A dark, surrealist dramedy that follows a foul-mouthed, mental health professional as she struggles to balance a demanding job, complicated love life and deteriorating grip on reality. When Lyz is suddenly shackled with a naive and watchful partner, she fears her unconventional work methods will finally cost her her job and threaten to expose her losing battle with schizophrenia. Based on my years of working in the mental health field with my former co-worker and friend, Elisabeth “Lyz” Sutton, the series explores the diverse and complex world of Mental Health with a colorful cast of characters that are as multilayered and different as the men and women living with mental health issues everyday. “Insecure” meets “Nurse Jackie.”
Gonsalves was selected as the winner for her comedic script “Good Karma,” a half hour comedy where “After Career Day sheds light on her complicated past, a law-abiding, elementary school Crossing Guard is roped into the legal defense of a minor, when a crooked Prosecutor hits him with unjust criminal charges.”
As part of their prize packages, both winners will receive a cash prize and the opportunity to meet with TBS and TNT programming executives.
The HBO Short Film Award was given to ‘Cap,’ which was written and directed by Marshall Tyler. The $10,000 grand prize award was presented by Dennis Williams, Vice President, Cultural and Social Responsibility of HBO.
CAP is a father-son love story set in Los Angeles and inspired by true events.
Manny Bennet has spent all summer saving up enough money for a cap worth a couple hundred dollars. After finally purchasing the cap, Manny is confronted by a bully who steals the expensive item. He convinces his father, Thomas, to confront the bully, where it becomes an altercation that turns out for the worst. Now the mother, Amelia, must deal with the aftermath.
Presented by comedian Chris Spencer, the Grand Jury Award for Best Screenplay was given to Piper Dellums and Sha-Risse Smith for ‘Strive.’ Accepting the award on their behalf was the film’s director Robert Rippberger.
‘Strive’ tells the story of Kalani Johnson (Joi Starr), a struggling high schooler who chases her dream of getting into Yale University all while facing the challenging life in the projects and streets of Harlem, New York. With no one but her college counselor Mr. Rose (Danny Glover) by her side, Kalani must push against the world holding her back.
The Grand Jury Prize for Best Director went to ‘Jezebel,’ by writer-director Numa Perrier. Presented by Cadillac, Perrier will receive film stock valued at $5,000.
Based on a true story, the cast includes Tiffany Tenille, Numa Perrier, Stephen Barrington, Bobby Field, Brett Gelman, Rockwelle Dortch, Zoe Tyson, Dennis Jaffee, & Jessa Zarubica.
In the last days of her mother’s life, 19 year old Tiffany (Tiffany Tenille) crashes with five family members in a Las Vegas studio apartment. In order to make ends meet, her older sister, a phone sex operator, introduces her to the world of internet fetish cam girls. Tiffany becomes popular as the only “live black model” at the new adult site and soon becomes too close to one of her frequent callers. Dynamics shift in the sister relationship as each woman explores and exploits their sexuality, using their created fantasy worlds as an escape from the realities of their challenging real life circumstances. This bizarre coming of age story depicts sisterhood in a most unusual way.
The Grand Jury Prize for Best Performance by an Actor was given to Essence Atkins for her performance in ‘Same Difference,’ written and directed by Derege Harding. Presented by actor Larenz Tate and Angela Burgin Logan fromAT&T Dream in Black, The award was picked up by producer Datari Turner and Harding on Atkins’ behalf.
Same Difference follows a young woman (Atkins) who is told that her death is imminent by a mysterious group of people who all start dying one by one. The woman becomes compelled to let go of the past and reconcile with her estranged twin sister, also played by Atkins, who is suffering from alcohol addiction.
Presented by Salene Hitchcock of Prudential, The Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature went to ‘Jezebel,’ by writer-director Numa Perrier.
Based on a true story, the cast includes Tiffany Tenille, Numa Perrier, Stephen Barrington, Bobby Field, Brett Gelman, Rockwelle Dortch, Zoe Tyson, Dennis Jaffee, & Jessa Zarubica.
In the last days of her mother’s life, 19 year old Tiffany (Tiffany Tenille) crashes with five family members in a Las Vegas studio apartment. In order to make ends meet, her older sister, a phone sex operator, introduces her to the world of internet fetish cam girls. Tiffany becomes popular as the only “live black model” at the new adult site and soon becomes too close to one of her frequent callers. Dynamics shift in the sister relationship as each woman explores and exploits their sexuality, using their created fantasy worlds as an escape from the realities of their challenging real life circumstances. This bizarre coming of age story depicts sisterhood in a most unusual way.
The Audience Award, presented by Connie Orlando of BET, for Best Film was given to All In, produced by MegaMind Media and directed by Ibrahim Yilla.
Written by Tressa Azarel Smallwood, Iman Smallwood, & Leslie Allen, the cast includes Niatia “Lil Mama” Kirkland, Elise Neal, Robert Christopher Riley, Lyric Hurd, Lena Anthony, Jim Jones, and Traci Braxton.
A gripping and relentlessly compelling story that follows 26-year-old, Keema Newell (Lil Mama), a single mother of three who is a victim of her own circumstances. Stuck in the welfare cycle, after having her kids taken away Keema is desperate to build a better life for her family even if it means going back into a world of drugs, crime, and sex to make it happen.
The 2019 American Black Film Festival “Best of ABFF” Awards winners are:
Audience Award – Best Narrative Feature (presented by BET Networks)
All In directed by Ibrahim Yilla
Jury Award – Best Narrative Feature (presented by Prudential Financial)
Jezebel directed by Numa Perrier
Jury Award – Best Web Series (presented by Verizon Media)
Little Apple directed by Riley S. Wilson
ABFF HBO Short Film
CAP written and directed by Marshall Tyler
Jury Award – Best Screenplay (presented by ABFF)
Strive written by Piper Dellums and Sha-Risse Smith
Jury Award – Best Performance by a Lead Actor (presented by AT&T Dream in Black)
Essence Atkins, Same Difference
Jury Award – Best Director (presented by Cadillac)
Numa Perrier, Jezebel
2019 Star Project Winner – Alexis Damita
2019 HBO Comedy Wings Winner – Ty Davis
NBC Hosting Finalists – Jazmin Bailey, Dennis Pastrorizo, Jasmine Styles, Krystal Vega
TruTV Winner – Domonic & Kim Smith-Weston
TNT Drama Winner – Darnell Brown
TBS Comedy Winner – Claytia Gonsalves
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