EMMY AWARD-WINNING PRODUCER & DIRECTOR KEENEN IVORY WAYANS TO BE HONORED AT THE 15TH ANNUAL AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL (ABFF)

Jeff Friday, CEO of Film Life Inc. is pleased to announce Emmy Award-winning producer/director Keenen Ivory Wayans as honoree at the landmark 15^th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF).  In recognition of his success in the film and television industry for nearly 25 years, Wayans will be honored with the Entertainment Icon Award at the festival’s culminating event, ABFF Honors, taking place on Saturday, July 9, at The Fillmore Miami Beach - Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami, FL.   Keenen Ivory Wayans’ award presentation will be the highlight of ABFF’s annual awards show, where the festival’s independent film awards are presented and artists are saluted for their achievement in cinema and passionate portrayal of stories about people of color.  Past honorees have included Morgan Freeman, Lee Daniels, Spike Lee, Robert Townsend, Russell Simmons and Halle Berry.

Originally noted for his infamous stand-up routines, Keenen Ivory Wayans was the first from his famed comedic family to gain notoriety. After years of performing on the circuit, in 1987 Wayans produced and co-wrote the hugely successful feature film Eddie Murphy Raw, catapulting his career to the next level. Having established himself as a talented entertainment visionary, Wayans followed up with a successful string of hits including the indie film Hollywood Shuffle and the classic parody of “blaxploitation” films, I’m Gonna Get You Sucka. 

Continuing his success and adding acting to his credits, Wayans broke new ground in television with the Emmy Award-winning Fox comedy series In Living Color. The series single-handedly is credited with launching the careers of such A-list actors Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Lopez and Damon Wayans. The show also introduced the television audience to brothers Shawn and Marlon Wayans. 

“Keenen Ivory Wayans is a trailblazer in the truest sense of the word,” states ABFF founder Jeff Friday. “In fact, very few people in the industry have provided such a dynamic platform in cultivating such notable talent and revolutionizing comedy and comedic television. Beyond that, Wayans has proven to be an amazing mentor to his family by nurturing the careers of his siblings in the industry, and we are proud to bestow him with the festival’s highest distinction, especially on our anniversary year.”

Wayans other film credits include The Five Heartbeats with Robert Townsend; A Low Down Dirty Shame; Most Wanted; The Glimmer Man; the hit “coming of age in the ‘hood” movie Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, in which brothers Shawn and Marlon starred; the nearly $120 million worldwide grossing film, White Chicks; followed by Little Man and most recently, Dance Flick.

In 2000, Wayans wrote and directed the international box office smash hit Scary Movie, a parody of slasher movies, for Dimension Films.  The movie went on to break several box office records including biggest opening for an R-rated movie and highest grossing film for an African American director.  The film grossed over $300 million worldwide and led to a successful sequel, Scary Movie 2, which Wayans wrote, directed and produced.

FILM LIFE, INC.’S 15th ANNUAL AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES THE 2011 STAR PROJECT WINNERS AND FINALISTS WITH FIRST-TIME SPONSORSHIP BY NBCUNIVERSAL

Tiffany D. Hobbs of Dallas and Sheaun McKinney of Los Angeles are Winners in Competition that Underscores Commitment to Discovering New Talent One Grand Prize Winner will Receive a Walk-on Role on NBC’s Daytime Drama “Days of our Lives”

Film Life, Inc., announced that the grand-prize winners of its 15th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Star Project are Tiffany D. Hobbs of Dallas and Sheaun McKinney from Los Angeles. Sponsored by NBCUniversal, the program is an international acting competition designed to spotlight emerging multi-cultural talent. 

The ABFF Star Project was launched in 2009 as part of the common goal to encourage serious pursuit of the craft by providing a platform for undiscovered actors while supporting their career advancement.  In addition to Hobbs and McKinney, the finalists also included two female entrants, Osa Ighodaro (The Bronx, N.Y.) and Kim Pettiford (New York City) as well as two males, Donald George (Los Angeles) and James Holloway (New York City).

The two grand-prize winners will receive all-expense-paid trips to Miami, Fla., to this year’s ABFF convention from July 6-9. 

Star Project entrants were required to submit two videotaped monologues: one of their choice, and one selected by NBCUniversal and ABFF.  The Star Project Jury was comprised of an esteemed panel of accomplished actors, directors and casting executives.

 

This year’s Star Project mentor is Kendra Carter, Director of Talent Diversity Initiatives, NBCUniversal Casting.

 

“We at NBCU are honored to work to with the ABFF as the primary sponsor of this year’s Star Project,” said Carter.  “There are so many young and diverse artists out there who deserve a chance to showcase their talents and vision with a program that will nurture and boost their early careers.”       

 

Hobbs began acting, dancing and singing at the age of 3.  In 2009, she was accepted to the attend Southern Methodist University’s (SMU) prestigious three-year Master of Fine Arts graduate acting program on full scholarship.  To date, Hobbs has been cast in the lead role in numerous SMU campus production, including Carise in “La Dispute,” Mrs. Gibbs in “Our Town,” and Gloria in “You Never Can Tell.”  She is currently in Santa Rosa, Calif., in rehearsals for the Summer Repertory Theater’s productions of “Hairspray,” “Company” and “The Piano Lesson.”  Hobbs will be entering her final year in graduate school at SMU in the fall.

 

McKinney has appeared in professional commercial, TV and feature-film projects.  His film and television credits include “Know Thy Enemy” for Lionsgate, “Bahama Hustle” for Maverick Entertainment and “Burn Notice” for USA Network.  He has also expanded his repertoire in co-writing and producing while starring in his own Web-based show "Make It Happen," for which he has received many accolades and is looking to shop around to networks later this year.  McKinney attended Miami-Dade College and received an Associate in Arts degree in theater education.

 

In addition to the winners’ free trip to the ABFF convention in Miami, the Star Project winners will be presented before the festival audience during its culminating event -- the ABFF Honors on July 9.  Additionally, one grand-prize winner will be granted a walk-on role on the award-winning NBC daytime drama “Days of our Lives” and will have the opportunity to audition before a leading casting director. 

HBO is the festival's founding and premier sponsor.  Other sponsors to date include: Grey Goose and Team Sizzle Worldwide (premier sponsors); the gmc Television Network, Cadillac, American Airlines, Gold Peak Tea and Wells Fargo (official sponsors); The Nielsen Research Company, Nickelodeon, NBCUniversal, Codeblack Entertainment, Grab Networks and CNN (supporting sponsors); the Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority and The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (host sponsors); CBS, Stella Artois, Writers Guild of America West, SAGIndie and FOX Searchlight Pictures (diversity partners). Media sponsors include Black Enterprise, “The Michael Baisden Show” and Uptown (official level); AOL Black Voices, Heart & Soul, Automotive Rhythms, Monarch and Precious Times (supporting level). 

Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry.  Through its film showcases and special contests, it annually introduces the top echelon of emerging artists to the film and television industry.

 

The 15th Annual American Black Film Festival Announces Its “Master Class” Lineup With Acclaimed Industry Experts Michael Elliot, Bill Duke and Robert Townsend

Spike Lee's Master Class - ABFF 2010 Film Life, Inc. has announced its lineup of the highly acclaimed Master Class series to be held during the 15th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in Miami, Florida, July 6-9, 2011. Designed to incorporate a variety of disciplines such as screenwriting, producing, directing, acting, film scoring and cinematography, this year’s workshop series will be led by renowned industry experts Michael Elliot, Bill Duke and Robert Townsend. Pre-registration is available through June 3 at www.ABFF.com and on-site registration opens July 6. The first in the series scheduled to take place July 7, “From Script to Screen” will be led by 2011 NAACP Image Award winner for ‘Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture,’ Michael Elliot. Known for such films as, Brown Sugar and Just Right, Elliot will teach novice and seasoned writers alike creative as well as the business side of developing and promoting a screenplay. A self-taught writer who learned the craft by studying his favorite films and successfully sidestepping Hollywood's barriers-to-entry without a manager or agent, Elliot will provide festivalgoers with a comprehensive crash course. He will also reveal his “7 Secrets to creating interesting, real and multi-dimensional characters” and provide invaluable tactics to launching careers in screenwriting in addition to de-mystifying the industry’s standard 3-Act structure for movie scripts. “From Script to Screen” is presented by the Writers Guild of America, West. Elliot’s writing credits include films: MTV's Hip-Hopera: Carmen (2001), which launched the film career of Beyonce Knowles; Like Mike(2002), which starred rapper/actor, Bow Wow; Brown Sugar (2002), which starred Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan; and Just Wright (2010), which stars Queen Latifah, Common, and Paula Patton.  Since his first script sale in May of 1998, he has sold over 25 projects to studios and networks. The 3-session “Actors Boot Camp,” July 7-9, led by veteran actor/director/producer/writer Bill Duke is one of the highlights of this year’s festival. Sponsored by the Film Life Foundation, it is targeted for the serious actor. Having taught and collaborated with the best in the business, Duke has helped to shape and mold such A-list actors as Taraji P. Henson, Anthony Anderson and Shemar Moore. Throughout the session, Duke will teach the craft of acting, provide precious insight into the business of entertainment and offer insightful tips on building a career in the field. The highpoint of the course will be an actual role play exercise whereby select attendees will get an opportunity to perform a prepared monologue or scene (reading materials provided by ABFF) before the class under the direction of Duke. Bill Duke first broke into TV in the early 80s directing episodes of well known TV shows (including Miami Vice, Cagney & Lacey and Hill Street Blues) and went on to divide his time between appearing in front of the camera and behind it on films such as Predator, A Rage in Harlem, Deep Cover and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. Bill Duke began his drama training at Boston University followed by NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and the American Film Institute. To round up the master class series, registered ABFF attendees will learn how to pitch their film or television show idea with Robert Townsend’s “The Ultimate Pitch,” July 8, one of Hollywood’s most successful filmmakers. Designed for those seeking to break through to the next level, acclaimed producer/director Robert Townsend will discuss his technique for pitching ideas: from concept to development, through the various stages of re-writes, pitching to executives at studios, and give advice on how to close the deal with clarity, precision and confidence. As an added bonus, Townsend will also listen to pitches from class attendees and help critique, refine and further develop those presented in session. One lucky attendee will also be handpicked to get his or her idea fully developed with Townsend, and then go on to pitch it to a Hollywood studio. Over the years, Robert Townsend has created a unique and diverse body of work covering various genres: comedies, Hollywood Shuffle; musicals, The Five Heartbeats; fantasy comedies, The Meteor Man; sit-coms, The Parenthood; and epic dramas, 10,000 Black Men Named George. Currently Mr. Townsend is busy at work with seven projects in various stages of development and completion. HBO is the festival's Founding and Premier Sponsor.

50 Cent Gets A Perm???!!!!!

A perm 50???? Really??!!! Is this is official transformation into Curtis Jackson?  I'm not sure what this man is going through but he is out of control with this abomination on his head...smh.

Recap of Spring Fest and Best of the Best 2011

The biggest names in reggae, hip-hop, R&B, dancehall & soca converged in Bicentennial Park for two days of music, food & fun!

The longest running Memorial Weekend destination event, Best Of The Best celebrated its 5th year with two huge music festivals held without incident on Saturday, May 28th and Sunday, May 29th at Bicentennial Park in downtown Miami.

Day one, dubbed Spring Fest, featured the best of the best in contemporary R&B and Hip-Hop, including Miami native Rick Ross, Chris Brown,Trey Songz, Drake, Keri Hilson, Lloyd, Jeremih,Miguel, Marsha Ambrosius (formerly of the duo Floetry), Travis Porter and Big Sean. Nationally syndicated radio personality and comedian Rickey Smiley hosted the event with Russ Parr.

Without further adieu, here are the recaps of a few performances according to my good friend Kevin Ross.

"Lloyd performed his smash hits "All around the world," and "Lay It Down." Towards the end of his performance he brought out Ace Hood to perform "Hustle Hard." Great performance.

Despite the Chicago Bulls losing the series against the Miami Heat, Jeremih came to Miami representing Southside Chicago heavy and was extremely thankful for his fans. Songs like "I'm A Star" and "Birthday Sex" showed his talent as well as his dedication to keep R&B alive.

Chris Brown was hands down the best performer of the night! Not to take anything away from other artists, but the energy he brought was undeniable. Brown even brought a young lady from the crowd on stage for his steamy, almost rated R performance of "Take You Down." 

Miguel definitely put on a phenomenal show. Everything from the choreography, to his light up mic stand kept the crowd fully engaged. "All I want is you," and his current smash record that has everyone buzzing, "Sure Thing" had the audience rocking & singing in harmony. This performance was nothing shy of great! 

Travis Porter hit the stage and had the girls "shakin what their mama's gave em" when they opened up the show with the song "Bring It Back". For some reason this group reminds me of a younger version of the Ying Yang twins... only there's three of them. After they performed "Make It Rain," the group brought out Big Sean to perform "Dem Girls." 

Big Sean performed the song "Gang Bang" from Wiz Khalifas mixtape Cabin Fever. He also brought out Trae Tha Truth to perform "Phone numbers" together.

Rickey Smiley's crazy sense of humor never fails to make even the most serious person die of laughter. Smiley brought out his friend Juicy to sing Kelly Rowland's "Motivation" which definitely had the audience gasping for air they were laughing so hard!"

Dancehall icon, Shabba Ranks rocked the house on day two alongside some of the top acts in Reggae, Hip-Hop, Dancehall and Soca, including Stephen and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, DJ Khaled, Vybz Kartel (who appeared on the big screen with his band live via satellite from Jamaica), Tarrus Riley, Alison Hinds, Trina, Assassin, Etana, Sanchez, I-Octane, Ace Hood,Stephen McGregor, Chino, Richie Loop, Demarco, Gappy Ranks, Romain Virgo, Tifa, ZJ Liquid.

Best Of The Best Weekend 2011 was presented by FEVER -- The World's 1st Stimulation Drink (www.feverusa.com). Additional sponsors included Swift Kick Sneaker Wipes(www.swiftkickproducts.com), now available at Walgreens.