The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has announced today that actor Morris Chestnut (star of The Best Man Holiday, which will be in theaters this weekend), will be the festival’s 2014 Celebrity
Ambassador, and that author/producer Tonya Lewis Lee (producer of The Watsons Go To Birmingham most recently) its Host Committee chair.
This news comes a week after the festival made it official that, beginning with its next installment, it will call New York City home.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be the ambassador of the ABFF, taking place this year in New York — a city that has inspired and cultivated so much great talent in all areas of film,” says Chestnut.
“Morris Chestnut is a beloved and charismatic actor,” adds Jeff Friday, ABFF founder, as well as CEO of Film Life, Inc., which produces the festival. “The role of the ABFF
Ambassador is to broaden public awareness of the festival as well as its mission, and
you are about to see Morris everywhere with this week’s release of The Best Man
Holiday — a must-see! I deeply appreciate both Morris and Tonya’s commitment to
advance opportunities for Black artists in our industry.”
Ambassador is to broaden public awareness of the festival as well as its mission, and
you are about to see Morris everywhere with this week’s release of The Best Man
Holiday — a must-see! I deeply appreciate both Morris and Tonya’s commitment to
advance opportunities for Black artists in our industry.”
The 18th annual ABFF, presented by Film Life, Inc. will take place from June 19-22, 2014, in New York City.
Festival passes and tickets are on sale now. For more information visit www.abff.com.
The four-day festival event, conceived by Jeff Friday in 1997, and recognized as a leader in its industry, is dedicated to showcasing and promoting quality films by and about
people of African descent, motivated by the belief that Black content creators and
artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts.
people of African descent, motivated by the belief that Black content creators and
artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts.
Sponsors to date include: HBO (Founding and
Premier) and Nielsen (Supporting).
Premier) and Nielsen (Supporting).
