MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL:
JUNE 9-14, 2009
BEVERLY HILLS, CA

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 Film Financier Steven Belser Joins BlogTalkRadio Host
Tanya Kersey
on
"Inside Urban Hollywood" Monday, July 7, 2008, at 8pm PST/11pm EST

Listen to Inside Urban Hollywood with Tanya Kersey on internet talk radio  

Archived Blogcasts:

Writer/Producer/Author Don Welch

Film Financing Consultant/Author
Louise Levison

Film Distribution Executive Brett Dismuke

'LEGAL ISSUES IN INDIE FILM PRODUCTION'
(Entertainment Attorney Mychal Wilson)

'DISTRIBUTING INDIE & MAKING A PROFIT'
(Distribution Guru
Stacey Parks)

'CASTING INDIE'
(Casting Directors Twinkie Byrd and Pamela Staton)

'MAKING THE FEST OF IT'
 (Hollywood Black Film Festival Programmer Jacqueline Blaylock)

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HBFF Film Financing & Distribution Summit 2008

If you missed the 2008 HBFF Film Finance & Distribution Summit, check out Alice Fuller's Blog including audio clips.

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8th Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival Wraps!

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.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN THE 2007 ARCHIVE

 

The DL Chronicles Featured on the here! Network

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.

Click here! for more info.

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!!

 
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The Hollywood Black Film Festival
Now in its 9th Year: June 3-8, 2008
Beverly Hills, California

 

HBFF 2008 Celebrity Portrait Studio Album is Released Online

 

 

Cedric The Entertainer

 
Cedric getting his sexy on in the HBFF Celebrity Portrait Studio.

 
 

 
Director/writer Preston Whitmore (“This Christmas”) being photographed by celebrity fashion photographer Dimitry L
 

 
This year the Hollywood Black Film Festival launched the HBFF Celebrity Portrait Studio. Celebrities, filmmakers and industry executives posed for their Official Hollywood Black Film Festival Portraits taken by celebrity fashion photographer Dimitry L. Hair and makeup artist Valerie Noble was on hand for finishing touch-ups.

Attracting the brightest stars at HBFF, the Celebrity Portrait Studio quickly emerged  as one of the most sought-after destinations of celebrity festival-goers, capturing the festival’s finest talent.   Some of the actors, filmmakers and industry executives who posed for their official festival portraits included Carl Payne, Cedric the Entertainer, Christopher Erskin, Clifton Powell, D Woods, Dorian Gregory, Eddie George, Frankie Needles, Gary Payton, Gina Ravera, Ice T & Nicole "Coco" Austin, Jimmy Jean Louis, Keesha Sharp, Loretta Divine, Malik Whitfield, Michael Jai White, Omar Cruz, Paul Coy Allen, Pooch Hall, Preston Whitmore, Rockmond Dunbar, Siedah Garrett, Sticky Fingaz, Tanya Kersey and TK Kirkland.
 

 

 

9th Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival Announces Jury and Audience Choice Award-Winners  
 

    Feature Film Winners
 
 
 
 
 
Storyteller Winners
 
 
 
 
 
R.Dunbar, T.Kersey, W.Packer
 
 
 
 
Rockmond Dunbar
 
 
 
 
Will Packer and Tanya Kersey
 

June 9, 2008 (Beverly Hills, CA) - With 119 films and 6 days of deliberation, jury and audience choice award-winners were announced Sunday for the 2008 Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF).  Actor-Director Rockmond Dunbar, announced the winning films during the festivals invitation-only Filmmaker and Storyteller Awards brunch, held at Life on Wilshire. As a special surprise appearance, arranged by HBFF, producer Will Packer ("This Christmas," "Stomp the Yard") stopped by and conducted a Q&A with the invited filmmakers and award-winners.   
"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 Tanya Kersey, Founder & Executive Director, HBFF.  "The 2008 Hollywood Black Film Festival award-winners reflect the full breadth of talent, diversity, and evolution of independent black film."                

 

"Our filmmakers this year displayed an extraordinary range and depth to their storytelling, and I am pleased to know that HBFF continues to garner a well deserved reputation as being the premiere festival for discovering and showcasing the next generation of talented Black filmmakers," added Kersey. "We are thrilled how the Hollywood Black Film Festival has continued to grow in attendance, local and national awareness and acclaim from filmmakers, writers and directors."

Leon Lozano's feature film SOMETHING IS KILLING TATE took the top audience prize at the 9th Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival. SOMETHING IS KILLING TATE won the HBFF 2008 Audience Choice Award sponsored by Indieflix. In the film, Tate isolates himself in his apartment after surviving a suicide attempt.  One by one, the players in his troubled life force him to face the demons of his past. Lozano won a cash prize courtesy of IndieFlix.

In the narrative feature film category, PANMAN, RHYTHM OF THE PALMS, directed by Sander Burger and produced by Ian Vatz, took top honors.  THE PANMAN RHYTHM OF THE PALMS tells the story of the rise and fall of the steel drum pan player Harry Daniel. Harry is an icon of the Caribbean whose personal life suffers when he places his music above his family.

 STREETBALLERS, written & directed by Matthew Krentz was the honorable mention.

The Short Film winner was THE DOLL, written & directed by Dante James. THE DOLL is set in the early 1900s and tells the story of Tom Taylor, the black proprietor of the Wyandot Hotel barbershop.  Taylor's humanity, his dignity, and his responsibility to family and community are severely challenged when it becomes apparent that he has an opportunity to avenge an injustice that was inflicted on his father decades earlier.

BLOOD OVER A BROKEN PAWN, written & directed by Chadwick Boseman took the short film honorable mention.

Roxana Walker-Canton and Tina Morton's documentary BELLY OF THE BASIN earned first place honors in the documentary category while KEEPING THE FAITH, written and directed by Bobby Mardis was the honorable mention. BELLY OF THE BASIN asks New Orleans to tell its story through the voices of its ordinary residents.  Through individual stories of survivors and volunteers of grassroots organizations, 'Belly of the Basin' poses questions about the value of human life in relationship to race, class, gender and politics.

In the student film category, the award was presented to CRENSHAW NIGHTS, written by Greg Navarro and directed by Peter Gelles.  KEYS, written & directed by Christopher Babe, was the honorable mention.

 OBARA & THE MECHANTS written by Michelle Bodden and directed by Manauvaskar Kublall won in the animation category.  REVOLUTION, written by Trevor Parham, directed by Aled Ordu & Stefan Ruenzel won in the music video category.

The filmmaker winners receive prizes courtesy of Apple Final Cut Pro, Backstage, Baseline, Daily Variety, Film Specific, Final Draft, Fuji Film, Hollywood Creative Directory, Indieflix, Showbiz Software, Story Pointe and Writers Boot Camp.  In addition to product prizes and in keeping with the festival's motto: "ACCESS. OPPORTUNITIES.  DEALS."  The winners also receive a series of meetings with agents, managers, development, acquisition and distribution executives.

The 1st place winner in the HBFF Storyteller Competition was THE NIGGA written by Derek Lively. In THE NIGGA, an out-of-work Shakespearean actor transforms into a gangsta rapper and becomes a star. 419 written by Michael Ajakwe took 2nd place honors. In 419, a third World Internet scammer tricks an unsuspecting, lonely White American male into falling in love with his Internet alter-ego - a beautiful Nigerian princess - and then convinces the dupe to bring her/him to the United States. 3rd place went to MUDDY WATERS written by Corey Moore.  In MUDDY WATERS, A young, opportunistic land agent sets his sights on the biggest promotion of his career by attempting to score a lucrative deal with his estranged, alcoholic father.  RUNNIN FROM THE DEVIL written by Travolta Cooper earned the honorable mention.

The Storyteller Competition winners receive product prizes courtesy of Final Draft, Hollywood Creative Directory and Story Pointe and Writers Boot Camp. Their scripts are also distributed to a number of studios and production company executives. The HBFF Storyteller Competition was designed to promote and support new talent and continue the festival's pledge of creating opportunities for talented black screenwriters.  The main goal is to give new screenwriters industry exposure and help introduce them to Hollywood.

"The diverse storytelling styles of this year's Storyteller Competition semi-finalists is impressive," said Alexia Ryan, HBFF Storyteller Director.  "We are pleased to be able to bring these talented, diverse voices to the attention of Hollywood's leading talent buyers."

HBFF 2008 attendees enjoyed a whirlwind of six days hustling to see films, attending panels and workshops at the adjunct Infotainment Conference, and partying into the wee hours of the night.  

A special thanks to the official sponsors of the 2008 Hollywood Black Film Festival, who helped sustain the festivals programming for the inspiring filmmakers and artists today. Sponsors comprise of: 20th Century Fox, Ambi Skincare, Apple iTunes, Kodak and One Village Entertainment. Participating sponsors include the UK Film Council, Daily Variety, Basquiat Vineyards of California, Soft Sheen-Carson, bSide, Codeblack Entertainment, EURweb.com, Hennessy, Bombay Sapphire, Uncle Moki's, Emerson College, Heineken, Carnivo, HER Energy Drink. The 2008 HBFF prize sponsors are Apple Final Cut Pro, Backstage, Baseline, Film Specific, Final Draft, Fuji Film, Hollywood Creative Directory, Production HU, Showbiz Software, and Writers Boot Camp.  Promotional and donor partners include Black Talent News, Black HollywoodUniversity.com, Bleu Entertainment PR, A Juke Join Promotions, Southern Girl Desserts, Tagg Team DJs, Def Jam, and Celebrity Nightlife Publicity.
 

 

 

“JADA” ANNOUNCED AS
HBFF 2008 CLOSING NIGHT FILM


JADAThe 2008 Hollywood Black Film Festival will wrap with the world premiere screening of “Jada,” written by Daniel Chavez and directed by Clifton Powell and Robert Johnson.  The film stars Siena Goines, Jennifer Freeman, Jason Weaver, Rockmond Dunbar, Art Evans and Clifton Powell.  It’s the story of Jada, a young mother whose life is thrown into a spin when her husband is killed in a questionable car accident and her once prosperous middle-class lifestyle comes crashing down. Jada and her two teenaged children end up living in the housing projects where she battles to keep her son out of the gangs and finds romance with an ex-con until a murder threatens to destroy her life.  In the end, Jada and her family learn that everything works out when you have faith in God.

“Jada” is produced by Stevie "Black" Lockett and executive produced by Johnny Feldman, Robert Johnson, Darrell Thompson and  Craig Newhof.  The cast includes Siena Goines (“The 40 Year Old Virgin & TV Series “Jericho”),  Jennifer Freeman   (“You Got Served” & TV Series “My Wife and Kids”), Jason Weaver (“ATL”, “Drumline” & TV Series “Smart Guy”), Rockmond Dunbar (TV Series “Heartland”, “Prison Break” & “Soul Food”), Clifton Powell   ( “First Sunday”, “Norbit”, “The Gospel”, “Ray”, “Woman Thou Art Loosed”, “Next Friday”, “The Brothers”, “Dead Presidents” and “Menace II Society”) and Art Evans   (“A Soldier’s Story” & “School Daze”).

The film screens Sunday, June 8th, 7:00 pm at the Writers Guild Theater, 135 So. Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills.  The HBFF 2008 Wrap Party follows.  Tickets are $25 for the screening and after-party.  You can purchase tickets on-site.

 

STICKY FINGAZ’ “A DAY IN THE LIFE” ADDED TO HBFF 2008 SHEDULE; SCREENS SUNDAY, JUNE 8th AT 3:30 PM

 

“A Day In The Life”, a Hip Hop, action-drama, musical headlined by Sticky Fingaz  (making his directorial debut) will screen at the 2008 Hollywood Black Film Festival on Sunday, June 8th at 3:30 pm at the Writers Guild Theater, 135 So. Doheny Dr. in Beverly Hills.

The feature film stars many of Hollywood’s elite actors and actresses such as Mekhi Phifer, Omar Epps, Michael Rapaport, Clarence Williams III, Bokeem Woodbine, Drena De Niro, Tyrin Turner, Faizon Love, Fredro Starr, Troy Garity, Treach, Michael K. Williams, Ray J and Malinda Williams to name a few. We are taken through a single whirlwind day of a man torn between a normal family life and the allure of crime.   A colorful cast of characters along the way throw him obstacles left and right...but who will remain standing when the smoke clears?

“A Day in the Life,” is a Major Independent Production and Sticky Fingaz film presented by Lionsgate. Produced By Kirk "Sticky Fingaz" Jones, executive produced by Peter Block, Jason Constantine and Mario Jones, written and directed By Kirk "Sticky Fingaz" Jones.

 

HBFF 2008 FESTIVAL AT-A-GLANCE:

(For complete scheduling information, refer to the Official HBFF Festival Schedule.)

Following is the 2008 Festival Schedule At-A-Glance:


Tuesday, June 3, 2008
9am - 4pm: Registration - Clarity Theater
7:30 pm: Opening Night Film - Writers Guild Theatre
10pm: Opening Night After-Party sponsored by One Village Entertainment - Location: The Rise at The Highlands (Hollywood & Highland)

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

10am - 11:30am: Positioning Your Film for Success - Clarity Theatre
10am:  Stop By. Shoot Film. sponsored by Kodak - Clarity bldg. (sign-up required)
10:30am - 2:30pm: Storyteller Competition Finalists' Mentoring Session - Beverly Hills Library Meeting 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 - Clarity bldg. (sign-up required)
2:45pm - 4pm: Film Distribution - Clarity Theatre
4:30 - 6pm: Filmmaker's Roundtable - sponsored by Black Talent News - Clarity Theatre
6:00 -7 :30pm: Comedy in Film - Clarity Theatre
9pm - 2am: Networking Reception – Nirvana

Thursday, June 5, 2008

10am: Stop By. Shoot Film. sponsored by Kodak - Clarity bldg. (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 - Clarity bldg. (sign-up required)
2:30pm - 4pm: Developing Reality Television - Clarity Theatre
2:00pm - 6:00pm: Storyteller Competition Finalists' Mentoring Session - Beverly Hills Library Auditorium (invitation only)
4:30pm - 7:30pm: Actor's Boot Camp - Clarity Theatre
7:30 - 10pm: UK Film Council's Breakthrough Brits Gala Reception in partnership with HBFF (invitation-only) - The London Hotel
9pm - 2am: HBFF Cinema Lounge co-sponsored by EURweb.com - Aqua Lounge

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: Negotiating Tactics:  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 - Clarity Theatre
8pm - 1am: 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: Taking Your Film to the Next Level - Clarity Theatre
2pm - 3:30pm: Producers Roundtable (brown bag lunch) - Clarity Theatre
4pm - 6:00pm: Pitchathon Roundtable - Clarity Theatre
9pm - 1am: Black Women in Film Party– Ben Kitay 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 - 3p: Digital Hollywood: Maximizing New Media to Promote your Projects - Sponsored by bizuo - 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
9pm: Closing Night Ceremony - Clarity 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 http://www.hbff.org and http://www.dimitryl.com.
 

 

 

 

 
 

‘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

Official Selection of
HBFF 2007

Click here to order a copy.

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.

Director:
Steven Ayromlooi

Street Date:
Tues., April 8, 2008
DVD SRP $14.98

Award-Winning Romantic Comedy Stars Tangi Miller, Flex Alexander, Essence Atkins and Tasha Smith.

 

PROUD SPONSORS: