The American Black Film Festival celebrated it’s 20th Anniversary in June. The festival was back in Miami so BOSSY! headed down to South Beach to get in on all the fun!
The ABFF offers filmmakers and actors of color a chance to celebrate themselves and be celebrated by film fans from all over. The festival offers the opportunity for you to not only catch up with your favorite black stars and get the scoop on their latest projects, but also get to know rising stars destined to become your next favorite.
This year’s festival was packed with the best of the black film world. We attended some amazing panels, screenings, events and conversations. And the parties were LIT!
Opening Night started off with a bang, press and Festival goers alike were treated to an advanced screening of Central Intelligence starring the hilarious Kevin Hart and the equally funny and gorgeuos Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Fans and celebrities alike flocked to the Olympia Theater for this screening. Next we hit the opening Night Party, hosted by Coors Light with music by D-Nice
Thursday afternoon brought us Conversations With Common, The Ambassador for the 2016 American Black Film Festival, moderated by Roland Martin. Common spoke from the heart on his career and life journey from his humble Chicago beginnings all the way to his upcoming album. We were also treated to an impromptu freestyle session, which the my inner hip-hop head LOVED!
After day full of film screenings, Friday night wrapped with ABFF “Comedy Wings” Competition, hosted by Cedric the Entertainer and presented by HBO. Because I gotta support Boss Chics everywhere, let me say the ladies held it down in this competition special shout out to Tyree Elaine (I love all her videos), followed by the McDonald’s ABFF Game Night Party hosted by the gorgeous Skye Townsend.
BOSSY! is all for seeing more black women in film in front and behind the camera so Black Women In Hollywood: The Future Looks Bright ABFF Women’s Initiative panel presented by Planned Parenthood of America, which featured Teyonnah Parris (Survivor’s Remorse,Chiraq), Nicole Behari (Sleepy Hollow), Emayatzy Corienaldi (Miles Ahead) and Aja Naomi King and moderated by Soledad O’Brien ( we love her!) was super inspiring and motivatiing.
We chatted with the great Bishop TD Jakes about his newest project! On Septemer 12th set to premiere in more than 50 U.S. markets , a new syndicated self-titled daily talk show,”T.D. JAKES” will hit the air waves. We will get to see a different side of the bishop as this one-hour show will feature original social media content and real personal stories with candid conversations. with celebrity and non-celebrity guests from all walks of life.
One of the stand out films was Winner of the 2015 American Black Film Festival Screenplay Competition Bad Dad Rehab Starring and written by Keronda McKnight and directed by Carl Seaton and starring Malik Yoba, Wesley Jonathan, Robert Riley, Rick Gonzalez, Robert Ri’chard and Kandi Burruss.
Because I’m HBO Junkie I braved the monsoon to go check out the Next On HBO Panel and Ballers Season 2 Premier moderated by Bevy Smith. The panel consisting of Jacob Anderson (Game of Thrones), Nathalie Emmanuelle (Game of Thrones), Jazmyn Simon (Ballers) and John David Washington (Ballers) and Andre Holland (The Knick). So basically this was a YUMfest and everything even remotely Game of Thrones makes me into an instant fan girl so this was definately one of my favorite panels.
I love this clip of Jazmyn Simon discussing how she had 200 rejections before her big break on Ballers. What a lesson in perseverance!