Welcome to the Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF), an event rich in history and tradition. Founded in 1998 by its executive director, Tanya Kersey, the festival's goal is to play an integral role in discovering and launching independent films and filmmakers by bringing them to the attention of the industry, media and public. The festival's often-casual tone and shoulder-rubbing intimacy affords remarkably close access to movers and shakers in the industry we cover.

The following information will answer many of your questions and familiarize you with what you can expect at HBFF.

Q: What is the Hollywood Black Film Festival?
A: The Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) is an annual celebration of black cinema drawing together established filmmakers, popular film and TV stars, writers, directors, industry executives, emerging artists and new audiences from Southern California and around the world. Attracting such stars and industry insiders as Academy Award® winners Forest Whitaker and Sidney Poitier, John Singleton, Spike Lee, George Tillman, Tina Andrews, Reuben Cannon, Anthony Anderson, Blair Underwood, Sanaa Lathan, Bill Duke, Kasi Lemmons, Vondie Curtis Hall, Tisha Campbell and Nicole Ari Parker, the festival has become a hotbed for the Black Hollywood creative community. The festival aims to enhance the careers of emerging and established black filmmakers through a public exhibition and competition program. The festival's goal is to play an integral role in discovering and launching independent films and filmmakers by bringing them to the attention of the industry, press and public.
Q: What are the dates of the 2011 festival?
A: HBFF 2011is scheduled for October 27-30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
Q: Who can attend the Hollywood Black Film Festival?

A: The festival is open to everyone, from industry professionals to the film loving general public. All are welcome at the Hollywood Black Film Festival!

 
Q: Where is the festival held?

A: ANDAZ WEST HOLLYWOOD HOTEL
(located on the world famous Sunset Strip)
8401 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, California
90069
USA
Tel +1 323 656 1234
http://westhollywood.andaz.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels

FOR RESERVATIONS CLICK HERE

 


LAEMMLE SUNSET 5 THEATRES
8000 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(310) 478-3836


LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL: MAIN THEATER (Opening Night Gala)
6363 Sunset Blvd
Hollywood, California 90028

 
Q: How do I know what to see and do?
A: This site is your printable source for finding out about the films, panels, workshops, parties and all of the other festival events you'll want to attend. For more detailed information and the latest updates, sign up for the HBFF e-mail newsletter in the Quick Links on the left side of this page, sign up as a fan on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter. Be sure to pick up a copy of the HBFF 2011 Film Guide, which provides comprehensive Festival details. Free copies will be available during the festival at the Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatres.

Q: How do I purchase tickets to festival screenings or a festival pass?
A: You can purchase tickets and passes online.
Festival passes go on sale August 14, 2011. Individual movie tickets go on-sale online October 1, 2011!
Ticket prices:
$15.00 Adults
$12.50 Matinees before 4 pm
$12.50 Children, Students & Seniors w/ID



Opening Night Gala - $50 pp (Admittance to Opening Night Gala includes After-Party- Thursday, October 27, 2011)
Opening night tickets may be picked up at the Andaz West Hollywood hotel, HBFF Registration Desk from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, and they may also be picked up at the LA Film School: Main Theater from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm.

Closing Night Gala - $50 pp (Admittance to Closing Night Gala including After-Party- Sunday, October 30, 2011)
Closing night tickets may be picked up at the Andaz West Hollywood hotel, HBFF Registration Desk from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, and they may also be picked up at the Sunset Laemmle 5 Theatre from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm.


Discounts: 10% off to Students, Military & Senior Citizens. Your Student, Military or Senior I.D. will be required to pick up your pass during registration.

To Purchase Tickets:

Tickets will be sold online through October 30, 2011. Tickets may be purchased on-site as well.

Tickets will be available for pickup or purchase in person at the Sunset Laemmle Theatre October 28, 2009 between 10:00 am and 9:00pm. The box office will open 30 minutes before the first show of the day and will sell tickets for that day's shows as well as advance tickets for other shows playing at that theatre. All sales are final; there are no refunds or exchanges.


The Sunset Laemmle 5 Theatre accepts cash and credit cards.

Admission Policy:
HBFF Pass-holders and ticket holders will only be guaranteed admission until 15 minutes prior to scheduled screening. After this time, remaining seats will be sold to wait-listed patrons and then released to stand-by pass-holders.

Wait List:
If a screening is listed as “Wait List,” it means that tickets are no longer available for pre-purchased. We encourage you to go to the screening venue no more than one hour prior to start time for a “Wait List” ticket. Once all pass-holders and regular ticket holders are seated, tickets will be sold to those standing in the Wait List line.

HBFF 2011 Screening Venues:

LAEMMLE SUNSET 5 THEATRES

8000 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(310) 478-3836

 

LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL: MAIN THEATER (Opening Night Gala)

6363 Sunset Blvd
Hollywood, California 90028


We encourage you to purchase tickets in advance online to ensure you get to see the films of your choice. Many screenings do sell out very quickly. Festival passes are available now online. Click here for more information.
Q: By the way, what is a Festival Pass?

A: For your optimal festival experience, HBFF offers a variety of passes. Holders of the HBFF 2011 Festival Pass will enjoy access to all festival events including: unrestricted admission to all festival screenings, Infotainment Conference panel discussions and workshops; admittance to all sponsored festival parties and receptions; admission to the festival's Opening Night Gala and Closing Night Festivities. For access to all festival events, the Festival Pass is the best value for your bucks!

The Screening Pass is for all the film screenings only; the Infotainment Conference Pass is for all the panels and workshops. For more information on all the ways you can attend HBFF 2011, visit our registration page.
Q: Well, how much does it cost?
A: For information on all the ways to attend HBFF 2011, visit our registration page.

HBFF Festival Pass - All Inclusive: Includes admittance to Opening and Closing Night Galas, Screenings, Infotainment Conference, Pitch-Fest Series, and all Festival Parties. Best Value!
Early-bird registration before September 6th: $295
Regular registration up to October 20th: $375
After October 20th, on-site registration: $450

HBFF Infotainment Conference Pass - Includes admittance to Infotainment Conference only.
Early-bird registration before September 6th: $195
Regular registration up to October 20th: $250
After October 20th, on-site registration: $300

One Day Pass - Includes admittance to Infotainment Conference Panels, Screenings and Evening Events for One Day Only.
Friday, October 28th: $125
Saturday, October 29th: $125
Sunday, October 30th: $175

HBFF Screening Pass - Includes admittance to all HBFF Screenings except Opening and Closing Night: $175

Infotainment Panels - $30 ea. (sold on-site only)
Includes admittance to a single Infotainment Panel except Pitchathon.

Discounts: 10% off to Students, Military & Senior Citizens. Your Student, Military or Senior I.D. will be required to pick up your pass during registration.

Q: So, I've ordered my pass… now what?

A: Passes may be picked up as follows:

Thursday, October 27, 2011: 12 pm – 4 pm at the Andaz West Hollywood, HBFF Registration Desk
Friday, October 28, 2011: 9 am – 4 pm at the Andaz West Hollywood, HBFF Registration Desk
Saturday, October 29, 2011: 9 am – 4 pm at the Andaz West Hollywood, HBFF Registration Desk
Sunday, October 30, 2011: 9 am – 4 pm at the Andaz West Hollywood, HBFF Registration Desk

The Andaz West Hollywood is located at 8401 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069.  
Q: Won't it be easier to just buy my pass at the festival when I get to Los Angeles?
A: No. There is a limited number of all-access Festival Passes available. We encourage you to purchase your festival passes in advance.
Q: Hey, I'm a big-wig industry executive at a major studio/network. Do I really need to buy a pass and/or screening tickets?
A: Yes!
Q: How are films selected to screen at the festival?
A: Selection of films and videos is made by the festival screening committee comprised of film studio executives, agents, entertainment attorneys, filmmakers, producers and journalists.
Q: What is going on besides films?

A: In addition to a dynamic line-up of feature, short, documentary and student films, and music videos, the Hollywood Black Film Festival is much more than just films.

The adjunct Infotainment Conference features dozens of informational seminars, panels and workshops covering a wide variety of topics which range from film production, distribution and marketing to pitching, writing for television and film, in addition to specific programs of interest to actors. Each year, more than 100 top film and television executives, filmmakers, producers, directors, writers, agents, attorneys, business managers and actors participate in the talk-show style panels, roundtable discussions and workshops

There is also a free, Storyteller Lived Staged Reading of the finalists in the HBFF storyteller competition.

And of course, there are the nightly HBFF parties where attendees get a chance to network with their peers, and party!
Q: Can I write off any of my festival expenses?
A: Your registration fee is tax deductible! Even the government smiles on professional education. All expenses of Continuing Education (including registration fees, travel, meals, and lodging) taken to maintain and improve professional skills are tax deductible according to Treasury Regulation 1.162-5 Coughlin vs. Commissioner, 203 F2d 307.
Q: If I'm coming from out of town, how should I get to Los Angeles and where should I stay?
A: The Hollywood Black Film Festival has many travel partners to help you make the most of your trip. Visit our travel & accommodations page for more information. When making your travel arrangements, be sure to identify yourself as part of the Hollywood Black Film Festival to receive our negotiated discount rates.
Q: What's the weather going to be like?
A: During the day the temperature should be expected to be in the 70's. It's warm and sunny in Southern California! Be prepared and bring a light jacket for early mornings and evenings.

Q: How should I dress?
A: California Casual. Opening & Closing Nights are typically a bit dressier.
Q: How do I make the most of my festival experience?

A: We want to emphasize that the Hollywood Black Film Festival is more than a festival, it's a networking experience, and your participation is a key element to its success. Make sure you bring plenty of business cards, photos/resumes, etc. Business cards (and photos/resumes for actors) are the main commodity that is traded at the festival. Network as hard as you can and collect as many business cards as possible. It's always a good idea to write a short note on the back of each card you receive to jog your memory later on as to who and what is person was about. You're bound to make a lot of lasting contacts. And don't forget to bring a camera- there will be plenty of photo ops for you and your friends, and you never know who you'll see.

Q: Any networking tips for me?
A: HBFF's tips for power networking:
  • Have a one-line one-minute pitch of your film or script ready, if you've come to the festival to pitch a product.
  • If you have a film, make sure you have extra DVD copies of your film. Ditto for scripts.
  • Always remeber, the festival network is small, so think long-term. Look for agents, producers, acquisition executives and others to provide support for your future projects.
  • Bring PLENTY of business cards. Network as hard as you can and collect as many business cards as possible. It's always a good idea to write a short note on the back of each card you receive to jog your memory later on as to who and what that person is about.
  • Lastly, do not ignore one of the most important resources around you -- your peers. One day your peers may be in a position to help you or to hire you, or you them! Talk up your project to them and get them to talk about theirs.
Q: Can I record (audio and/or video) the Infotainment panels?
A: Sorry, no recording is allowed. Our Infotainment Conference is fully copyrighted. No audio recording or videotaping, please. Photos are okay.
Q: What are some of the films that have played in past festivals?
A: Past festival features in the invitational program have included director John Singleton's box office blockbuster "2 Fast 2 Furious," the critically-acclaimed "The Hurricane" (starring Academy Award™ winner Denzel Washington), director Kasi Lemmons' "The Caveman's Valentine" (starring Samuel L. Jackson), and director Reggie Rock Bythewood's "Dancing In September."
Q: When do you announce the films that will screen at the festival?
A: The films are announced on the festival website in mid-September.
Q: When will the festival screening schedule be available?
A: The screening schedule with the dates and venues of the screenings of selected films is posted on the Festival website late September.
Q: Are the films rated?

A: In general, Hollywood Black Film Festival selections have not yet been reviewed by the Motion Picture Association of America and therefore do not have an MPAA rating (G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17). However, we include details about the content and nature of films in the Film Guide and more information at www.hbff.org to help you make choices.

Q: Where do I get more information?
A: Our Festival website provides the most comprehensive details on events, programs, and other general information. Be sure to sign up for the HBFF e-mail newsletter in the Quick Links on the left side of this page, sign up as a fan on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter to keep abreast of festival developments.
Q: What if I have questions during the Festival?
A: Any Festival staffer or one of our volunteers will be happy to help you - just look for the HBFF volunteer badges. Visit our Registration Desk located at the Andaz West Hollywood to ask questions, or pick up a Free festival guide.
Q: You still haven't answered my question. Now what?

A: Send us an email at: info@hbff.org. For business inquiries ONLY: 310.407.3596.