HBFF 2007 Played to Standing-Room-Only Screenings and Record Crowds; Prince, Sheila E, Kimberly Elise, Sheryl Underwood, Tommy Davidson, Mike Tyson and Elise Neal Among Celebrity Sightings
(l to r) Jacqueline Blaylock, Director of Programming, HBFF; Audience Choice Award winner from “Sister's Keeper” writer/director Kent Faulcon; Tanya Kersey, Founder/Executive Director, HBFF.
(l to r) HBFF 2007 Feature Film winners “I'm Through With White Girls” Producers Lia and Phyllis Johnson; Honorable Mention “Sarbane's Oxley” writer Bennitta Jean-Louis and writer/director Ramcess Jean-Louis; Tanya Kersey, Founder/Executive director, HBFF; Jacqueline Blaylock, director of programming, HBFF.
The Short Film winners from the film, “Fu*ck You, Pay Me!”
(l to r) HBFF 2007 Storyteller Competition winners Terrilyn Phillips (3rd place for “E-Sins”), Tanya Kersey (HBFF founder/executive director), Christienne Best (winner for “Rudy Tooty”), Jacqueline Blaylock (HBFF programming director) and Sid Holmes (2nd place for “Eleven”)
After six days and 126 films, top honors were awarded at the 2007 Hollywood Black Film Festival's closing night festivities on Sunday, June 10th at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills, CA. Tanya Kersey , Founder Executive Director, HBFF and Jacqueline Blaylock , HBFF's Programming Director, announced the winning films.
“We are so pleased to be able to present awards to these filmmakers who have displayed an amazing array of cinematic talent and vision,” said Kersey. “The 2007 Hollywood Black Film Festival award-winners reflect the full breadth of talent, diversity, and evolution of independent black film.”
The provocative series, created by Deondray Gossett & Quincy LeNear, focuses on diverse stories of men of color, who by consequence or choice, live sexually duplicitous and secret lifestyles. In recent years, stories of men living on the "down low" have found their way into the mainstream. Real-life situations revealed in public forums -- most notably Oprah -- have filtered into the American landscape.
HBFF Panelist and Producer Effie T. Brown's film Rocket Science was the winner of the Dramatic Directing Prize at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. The film was developed and produced under her production company, Duly Noted Inc. Effie served as lead producer on the film. Congratulations Effie!!
The
Hollywood Black Film Festival
Now in its 9th Year: June 3-8, 2008
Beverly Hills, California
Watch Highlights of HBFF 2007!
Watch a
Film and/or Attend a Panel ... & Then Party
with Hollywood's IN Crowd!
Keep your screening ticket stub or
conference panel ticket for FREE admission
to an HBFF party. (This offer applies to parties on
Thursday through Saturday ONLY! HBFF
parties are not open to the general public
without ticket stub or panel pass.)
(HBFF pass-holders are admitted to all
parties -- must show your festival badge).
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 – Filmmaker
Networking Reception (festival passholders
only!) Sponsored by Codeblack Entertainment Nirvana | 8689 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly
Hills, CA
Thursday, June 5, 2008 – HBFF Cinema
Lounge Sponsored by EURweb Aqua Lounge | 424 N. Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA
Friday, June 6, 2008 – The White Party Sponsored by Bombay Sapphire
Clarity Building Rotunda | 100 N. Crescent
Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Hosted by B. Scott. Everyone wears
white!
Saturday, June 7, 2008 – HBFF Salutes
Black Women in Film Sponsored by AMBI Skincare Location TBA
HBFF 2008
Registration Hours:
Festival, Conference & One-Day Passes may
be picked up as follows:
Tuesday, June 3, 2008: 9 am – 4 pm at the
Clarity Theater
Wednesday, June 4, 2008: 9 am – 4 pm at
the Clarity Theater
Thursday, June 5, 2008: 9 am – 4 pm at
the Clarity Theater
Friday, June 6, 2008: 9 am – 4 pm at the
Clarity Theater
Saturday, June 7, 2008: 9 am – 4 pm at
the Clarity Theater
Sunday, June 8, 2008: 9 am – 4 pm at the
Clarity Theater
The Clarity Theater is located at 100 N.
Crescent Drive in Beverly Hills (corner of
Crescent Drive and Wilshire Blvd.) There
is metered parking on the street and 1
hour free parking at the Public Parking
Lot located at 333 N. Crescent Drive.
HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES SLATE OF 117 FILMS FOR 2008 FEST
The 2008 Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) has released the list of films set to unspool at the 9th annual event which runs June 3-8 in Beverly Hills, CA. HBFF 2008 will screen a total of 117 films including 25 features, 58 shorts, 18 documentaries, 12 student films, 2 animated films and 2 music videos. Opening and closing night films will be announced in early May.
A number of high-profile documentaries will screen at HBFF 2008 including ADJUST YOUR COLOR: THE TRUTH OF PETEY GREENE , written & directed by Loren Mendell. From the producers of TALK TO ME, starring Don Cheadle , ADJUST YOUR COLOR: THE TRUTH OF PETEY GREEN tells the true story of Petey Greene. With the help of over 50 hours of footage from his television show "Petey Greene's Washington from" 1977-1983, which includes Howard Stern in 1981, the documentarians were able to capture the truth of Petey Greene in only a way that Petey can tell it. (World Premiere)
The world premiere of KEEPING THE FAITH , written & directed by Bobby Mardis. The documentary tells the story of the heroes of Hurricane Katrina who were the faith based organizations. They were on the spot, hours after the catastrophe and continue to be Angels in America's time of need. Bishop Charles E. Blake from West Angeles also gives words of inspiration along with one hundred other celebrities. The doc is the center of Mardis' Katrina 500 program which has implemented an adopt-a-church and home program for Katrina victims. One hundred percent of all collected donations for "Keeping the Faith" will be used to repair structures in the rebuilding process in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. PRINCE AMONG SLAVES , written by Andrea Kalin & Lloyd “Raki” Jones, directed by Bill Duke & Andrea Kalin. Its the true story of an African Prince who survived slavery in America. In 1788 the slave ship Africa, set sail from West Africa and headed for America with its berth laden with a profitable but highly perishable cargo-hundreds of men, women and children bound in chains. Six months later the survivors were sold in Natchez, Mississippi. One of them, a 26-year-old man named Abdul-Rahman made a remarkable claim to the farmer who purchased him at the auction that he was an African prince and that his father would pay gold for his ransom. The offer was refused and Abdul-Rahman did not return to Africa for another 40 years. During his enslavement he toiled on the Foster plantation, married, and fathered nine children. His story also eventually made him the most famous African in America, attracting the support of powerful men such as President John Quincy Adams. After forty years of slavery, Abdul-Rahman finally reclaimed his freedom, but he defied the order to return immediately to Africa, and instead traveled throughout the northern states, speaking to huge audiences in a partially successful attempt to raise enough money to buy his children's freedom. Finally at the age of 67, and after raising funds to free two of his children, Abdul-Rahman returned to Africa, only to fall ill and die just as word of his arrival reached his former home of Futa Jalloo in present-day Guinea. Abdul-Rahman survived the harsh ordeals of slavery through his love of family and his deep faith as a Muslim. TRIBUTE: STANLEY TOOKIE WILLIAMS, 1953-2005 , written by Barbara Becnel, directed by Barbara Becnel & Shirley Neal, will also have its world premiere at HBFF 2008. Becnel worked with Nobel Peace Prize nominee, children's book author, Crips co-founder and death row prisoner Stanley Tookie Williams for the last 13 years of his life. The doc tells the story of the life and premature death of Williams and includes never-before-seen footage of his ashes being spread in Soweto, South Africa, as well as a dramatic reenactment of his botched execution, which took place on December 13, 2005, in the death chamber at San Quentin State Prison in California.
The Hollywood Black Film Festival adds an international flavor with the BURUNDI FILM CENTER: FIVE SHORTS . The Burundi Film Center of East Africa will present five short dramatic films with themes of love, AIDS, poverty, triumph, abuse, sacrifice and reconciliation - straight from the heart of Africa. Burundian youth aged 18-25 were taught the basics of film theory and production in the summer of 2007 by international filmmakers through this media development pilot-project with no outside funding or resources. The results are stories both universal to the human condition and unique to the tiny, war ravaged East African nation of Burundi. The five films are: BIGGER PLANS , written by Rudy Kimvuidi, directed by Cynthia Nyonsaba; NOTHING'S THE SAME , written by Lyse Elsie Hkizimana directed by Linda Kamuntu; REVEAL YOURSELF , written & directed by Ginette Maharo; ABUSE , written & directed by Didier Armand Ruyuku; KIVUMVU: BASKET BOY , written by Karim Abdul Bakundukize, directed by Pacifique Nzitonda.
The out-of-competition Feature Presentations are: A GOOD DAY TO BE BLACK & SEXY , A Magnolia Pictures Release, written & directed by Dennis Dortch. Straight from Sundance, Dennis Dortch's daring directorial debut ambitiously charts black sexuality through a set of six deliciously amusing, interconnected vignettes that unfold in a single day in Los Angeles.
The world premiere of A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND , A Codeblack Entertainment release, written by David Payton and directed by Leslie Small. Based on the stage play, a look at African-American family life in the United States. Stars Darrin Dewitt Henson, Hill Harper, Darius McCrary, Golden Brooks, Melissa De Soussa, Mel Jackson and Bishop Noel Jones. The world premiere of NORTH STARR , written & directed by Matthew Stanton. A murder witness on the run from the inner city must stand his ground in a tiny Texas behindhand town in order to keep his dreams alive.
HBFF 2008 SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE
Following is the 2008 festival schedule: Tuesday, June 3, 2008
10am - 5pm: Registration - Crescent Hotel Lobby
7:30 pm: Opening Night Film - Writers Guild Theatre
10pm: Opening Night After-Party sponsored by One Village Entertainment - Location TBA Wednesday, June 4, 2008
10am: Stop By. Shoot Film. sponsored by Kodak - Location TBA (sign-up required)
10 - 11:30am: Developing Reality Television - Clarity Theatre
9am - 1pm: Storyteller Competition Finalists' Mentoring Session - Beverly Hills Library Conference Room (invitation only)
11am-5pm: Apple iTunes Lounge - Clarity Theatre lobby
11am - 11pm: Screenings - Laemmle Music Hall 3
12 - 1:30pm: Power Networking - Clarity Theatre
2pm: Stop By. Shoot Film. sponsored by Kodak - Location TBA (sign-up required)
2:30 - 4:00pm: Positioning Your Film for Success - Clarity Theatre
4:30 - 6pm: Filmmaker's Roundtable - sponsored by Black Talent News - Clarity Theatre
6:00 -7 :30pm: Comedy in Film - Clarity Theatre
7:30 - 10pm: UK Film Council's Breakthrough Brits Gala Reception in partnership with HBFF (invitation-only) - The London Hotel
9pm - 2am: Networking Reception – Nirvana Thursday, June 5, 2008
9am - 1pm: Storyteller Competition Finalists' Mentoring Session - Beverly Hills Library Conference Room
10am: Stop By. Shoot Film. sponsored by Kodak - Location TBA (sign-up required)
10am - 11:30am: Film Financing Strategies - Clarity Theatre
11am - 11pm: Screenings - Laemmle Music Hall 3, Writers Guild Theatre
11am - 11pm: Apple iTunes Lounge - Writers Guild Theatre lobby & Clarity Theatre lobby
12:30 - 2pm: Film Music - Clarity Theatre
2pm: Stop By. Shoot Film. sponsored by Kodak - Location TBA (sign-up required)
2:30pm - 4pm: Film Distribution - Clarity Theatre
2:30pm - 5:30pm: Storyteller Competition Finalists' Mentoring Session - Beverly Hills Library Conference Room
4:30pm - 7:30pm: Actor's Boot Camp - Clarity Theatre
7pm-10pm: "A Conversation With ..." - Location TBA
9pm - 2am: HBFF Cinema Lounge co-sponsored by EURweb.com - Location TBA Friday, June 6, 2008
10am - 11:30am: Script Secrets: How to Find Representation and Get Produced - Clarity Theatre
11am - 11pm: Screenings - Laemmle Music Hall 3, Writers Guild Theatre
11am - 11pm: Apple iTunes Lounge - Writers Guild Theatre lobby & Clarity Theatre lobby
12pm - 1:30pm: NegotiatingTactis: How to Structure the Most Favorable Deal - Clarity Theatre
2:30pm - 4pm: Programming for Primetime - Clarity Theatre
4:30pm - 6pm: Filming Overseas - Clarity Theatre
7pm: Storyteller Competition Live Staged Reading - Beverly Hills Library Auditorium
9pm - 2am: The HBFF White Party – Clarity Atrium Saturday, June 7, 2008
10am - 11:30am: Theatrical Acquisitions - Clarity Theatre
10am - 4:00pm: Attorney Meet & Greet - Clarity Theatre
11am - 11pm: Screenings - Laemmle Music Hall 3, Writers Guild Theatre
11am - 11pm: Apple iTunes Lounge - Writers Guild Theatre lobby & Clarity Theatre lobby
12pm - 1:30pm: How to Pitch Your Story & Get it Sold - Clarity Theatre
2pm - 3:30pm: Producers Roundtable (brown bag lunch) - Clarity Theatre
4pm - 6:00pm: Pitchathon Roundtable - Clarity Theatre
9pm - 2am: Black Women in Film Party – Siren Studios Sunday, June 8, 2008
10am - 1pm: Actors Bootcamp - Sponsored by BackStage West - Clarity Theatre
11am - 1pm: HBFF 2008 Filmmaker Awards & Reception - Life on Wilshire (invitation only)
1:30pm - 3pm: New Technology & Digital Distribution - Sponsored by DMA - Clarity Theatre
2pm - 11pm: Screenings - Laemmle Music Hall 3, Writers Guild Theatre
2pm - 11pm: Apple iTunes Lounge - Writers Guild Theatre lobby & Clarity Theatre lobby
2:30pm - 4pm Faith-based Cinema - Clarity Theatre
7pm: Closing Night Film - Writers Guild Theatre
10pm: Closing Night Wrap Party - Clarity Courtyard
THE HBFF CELEBRITY PORTRAIT STUDIO LAUNCHES AT THE 2008 HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
Presented by celebrity fashion photographer Dimtry L., the HBFF Celebrity Portrait Studio Plays Host to the Festival's Roster of Celebrity & Film Talent
The Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) and celebrity fashion photographer Dimitry L. are collaborating to create the exclusive HBFF Celebrity Portrait Studio at the 2008 Hollywood Black Film Festival. Taking up residence in the lobby of the Writers Guild Theater (135 So. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, CA), the invitation-only portrait studio will welcome celebrities, filmmakers and industry executives to have their Official Hollywood Black Film Festival Portraits taken by Dimitry L. during scheduled appointments and during the festival's red carpet evening events. Hair and makeup artist Valerie Noble will be on hand for last minute touch-ups.
The HBFF Celebrity Portrait Studio will attract the brightest stars at HBFF and is certain to emerge as one of the most sought-after destinations of celebrity festival-goers, capturing the festival's finest talent. Images from the Portrait Studio will appear online at www.hbff.org and www.dimitryl.com.
DEADLINE REMINDER
The deadline for Regular Registration for HBFF 2008 is Friday, May 30, 2008! All-access festival passes are limited and available on a first-come,first-served basis. Register Today & Save $$$$.
‘KUDOS FOR HBFF'
"The Hollywood Black Film Festival has become a liberating antidote to business as usual in Hollywood -- an important showcase, marketplace and meeting place for new and established black talent." - Todd Coleman, The Hollywood Reporter
"The premiere African American film festival in the nation." - Terry Shropshire, Rolling Out Urbanstyle Weekly.
“I look forward to this event [HBFF] every year. It's a significant contribution to the community, and the rich aesthetics of filmmaking.” - Karl Gibson, The Hollywood Reporter
“The festival [HBFF] has become a staple in the Hollywood community and fills a void that hasn't been tapped until now in Hollywood... Black cinema! It is both an honor and privilege to screen ‘Gas' before this highly targeted and coveted audience. Thanks HBFF for supporting Black filmmaking and adding a voice to the community.” - Ralph Farquhar, highly acclaimed television and film producer and writer
“I
received attention from 8 distribution
companies as a direct result of being
selected to screen at the 2006 HBFF.
I’ve received written offers
for distribution from 4 of them, and
thanks to Tanya Kersey I received
strong consideration from 2 companies
in particular. I’m in negotiations
right now with three companies –
I haven’t signed a deal yet but
it is forthcoming. I’ll go with
the best company with the best deal.
I don’t think I would be in this
position now if it weren’t for
HBFF.” (Note: The filmmaker
subsequently signed a distribution
deal with UrbanWorks/First Look Studios) - Frank B. Goodin, II, filmmaker, “Love Trap” (HBFF 2006)
“I loved the festival. I appreciated
the education, support and care
the filmmakers received. It was
a classy and elegant festival. I
was proud to have been a finalist.”
– Yvonne Farrow, Writer/Director/Producer,
“I’d Rather Be Dancing” (HBFF 2006)
The
Big Headache and In The Game received
Audience Awards at HBFF. The “The
2006 festival was the first I attended.
I enjoyed the screenings and the
opportunity to meet the other filmmakers.
As a director, I appreciate all
of the support my films have received
over the years from the HBFF.”
–Filmmaker, “The Big Headache”
(HBFF 2001), “In The Game”
(HBFF 2003) and “The Numbers” (HBFF 2006, Winner - Best Short). (Note: “The Big Headache” received domestic and international
television and cable distribution
as a result of screening at HBFF.) MORE »
One Village Entertainment announces DVD premiere of
LOVE and OTHER FOUR LETTER WORDS
Synopsis:
Stormy LaRue (Tangi Miller) is an ambitious young woman who has always put her career before her personal life. A Philadelphia TV talk show host, Stormy seems to have it all —everything except a husband, that is. Professional success puts romance on the back burner for Stormy until her beloved Nana (Aloma Wright) is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Nana's fondest wish is to see Stormy happily married and the determined young woman wants to set her grandmother's mind at ease. With no appropriate candidate in sight, Stormy decides to hire an actor to play her fiancée and enlists the help of friends and family to videotape a fake wedding for her grandmother. Stormy's “little white lie” backfires when Nana rallies and decides to come to the ceremony, and the minister, a childhood friend, begins to suspect that all is not as it right with the happy couple.
