{"id":76127,"date":"2016-06-20T11:57:52","date_gmt":"2016-06-20T11:57:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/0de2709a84.nxcli.net\/0-kjasnb\/2016\/06\/20\/abff-2016-winners\/"},"modified":"2018-12-18T02:58:46","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T02:58:46","slug":"abff-2016-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/abff-2016-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"ABFF 2016 Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"

ABFF 2016 Winners<\/strong>Posted by Wilson Morales<\/p>\n

June 20, 2016<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The 20th Anniversary of the\u00a0American Black Film Festival<\/strong> (ABFF) announced the winners of their independent film awards in the Loews\u00a0Grand Ballroom\u00a0in South Beach, Miami on June 18, 2016.<\/p>\n

Blackfilm.com would like to thank The ABFF<\/strong> and The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB<\/strong>) for hosting us at this year\u2019s American Black Film Festival. Having us stay at The National Hotel<\/a> provided us the opportunity to not only be within walking distance to festival, but enjoy the comforts of the pool, bar, and working atmosphere.<\/p>\n

\"ABFF<\/a><\/p>\n

Hosted by comedian Chris Spencer<\/strong>, the event was filled with awards, music by Gourdan Banks and many actors and producers (producer Will Packer, director Robert Townsend, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Anthony Anderson and Salli Richardson-Whitfield<\/strong>) giving praise to ABFF founder Jeff Friday and wife Nicole for their work and devotion in keeping the festival going for 20 years.<\/p>\n

The HBO Short Film Award was given to \u2018Flowers,\u2019 <\/strong>which was written and directed by Nikyatu Jusu<\/strong> and\u00a0Yvonne M. Shirley<\/strong>. The $10,000 grand prize award was presented by Dennis Williams<\/strong>, Vice President, Cultural and Social Responsibility of HBO.<\/p>\n

When Brooklyn teens Mya and Erin seek revenge on a teacher their well-calculated plans quickly spiral out of control.<\/p>\n

\"ABFF<\/a><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s NBC Universal Star Project grand-prize winner was Kelcy Griffin<\/strong>, who currently plays Dominque in POWER on Starz Network. The award was presented by\u00a0Karen Horne<\/strong>, vice president, Programming Talent Development and Inclusion for NBC Entertainment and Universal Television Studios.<\/p>\n

Star Project is an international acting competition for emerging multicultural artists. The winner will receive $1,000 towards performance training classes, $500 towards professional headshots and VIP access to the NBCU Short Film Festival Finals.<\/p>\n

\"ABFF<\/a><\/p>\n

In the TV One Screenplay Competition, the winner was N’Zuri Za Austin<\/strong>\u00a0of Dallas, Texas for her feature film screenplay entitled, \u2018Tale of a Script<\/strong>.\u2019 The $5000 Grand Prize award was presented by actor Malik Yoba and D’Angela Proctor, Senior Vice President of Original Programming and Production of\u00a0TV One. The grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize and development of their screenplay that will premiere on TV One and at next year\u2019s ABFF.<\/p>\n

In search of the next best screenplay, script reader Brandon shares a collection of short stories he found in a pile of \u201cunreads\u201d that narrate the dangers of social networking. The stories, each telling of the dangers that await us behind the keystroke of our computer screens, are a puzzle piece that will lead us on a journey of deceit.<\/p>\n

\"ABFF<\/a><\/p>\n

The award for best documentary was given to \u2018Daddy Don’t Go<\/strong>,\u2019 directed by Emily Apt<\/strong>. The award was presented by Rodney William<\/strong> and singer\/ actress Brave Williams<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The award was accepted by actor Malik Yoba<\/strong>, who was an executive producer on the film along with Emily Abt, Keryn Thompson, Suzette Burton <\/strong>and Omar Epps<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cDaddy Don\u2019t Go\u201d explores the crisis of fatherlessness in America, documenting two years in the lives of four disadvantaged fathers in New York City as they fight to defy the odds against them. It provides compelling portraits of men who are unwavering in their commitment to parenthood despite the challenges they encounter.<\/p>\n