The 17th Annual Black Film Festival (ABFF), taking place in Miami Beach, FL, from June 19-23, will see George Tillman Jr.’s drama The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete, open the festival, and the World Premiere of Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain closing.
Meanwhile, the festival’s Alumni Spotlight Screening will be Ryan Coogler’s critically-acclaimed feature film debut, Fruitvale Station.
Gala Screenings include the World Premieres of UP’s (formerly known as GMC TV) In the Meantime, written by the 2012 UP screenplay competition winner Nzinga Kadalie Kemp, and Playin’ For Love, produced and directed by Robert Townsend.
This year’s event will see several films we’ve covered on this site, so you should be familiar, including 15 world premieres, in 5 different categories.
There’s also the ABFF Webiside Challenge, which features web series I’m sure you’ll recognize.
Jeff Friday, ABFF Founder and CEO of Film Life, Inc. said in a press statement, “We are excited to be at seventeen years and counting. This year we have a diverse selection of films, some returning alumni and new webisode creators. With that said, it is especially rewarding to watch alumni take their next steps into the mainstream marketplace.” He adds, “We are steadfast in our commitment to support aspiring filmmakers, leading them to opportunities that will hopefully help them to build rewarding careers.”
Below is the full 2013 film lineup by section – I’ll return with individual profiles of those we haven’t yet covered. But this is a strong lineup, based on what I know of all the films listed, some I’ve seen:
NARRATIVE COMPETITION
Feature-length films in this section compete for the ABFF’s Grand Jury prizes for Best Screenplay, presented by Nickelodeon, Best Actor presented by Marriot International, Best Director and Best Film, presented by Cadillac.
The Magic City, World Premiere
Written, produced and directed by R. Malcolm Jones
Cast: Jennifer Lewis, Keith David, Jamie Hector and introducing Latrice Jackson, LaShay Jackson and Amiya Thomas
Sable Fable, World Premiere
Written, produced and directed by Stephen Lloyd Jackson
Cast: James Williams, Nicole Hartley, Sheila Nortley, Jasmine Munting, Daniel Bailey,
Alex Marx, Stephen Lloyd Jackson and Lily Joseph
The Suspect, World Premiere
Written and directed by Stuart Connelly, Produced by Scott Aronson
Cast: Mekhi Phifer, William Sadler, Sterling K. Brown, James McCaffrey and Rebecca Creskoft
Things Never Said
Written, produced and directed by Charles Murray
Cast: Omari Hardwick, Shanola Hampton and Elimu Nelson
CNN FILMS DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
Nonfiction films in this section compete for the Best Documentary Award, presented by CNN Films.
Films selected for the 2013 Documentary Competition is as follows:
Children of the Wind
Directed by Daphne Schmon, Produced by Robert McCormick
Narrated by Gbenga Akinnagbe
Homegoings
Produced and directed by Christine Turner
The Sunflower County Freedom Project, World Premiere
Produced and directed by Carmen L. Scott
HBOÂ SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Five emerging filmmakers compete for the HBO Short Film Award.
The Adventures of Edison Jean, World Premiere
Written and directed by Edson Jean
Black Girl in Paris, World Premiere
Written and directed by Kiandra Parks
A Different Tree, World Premiere
Written and directed by Steven Caple Jr.
Stone Cars, World Premiere
Written and directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green
Sweet Honey Child, World Premiere
Co-written and directed by Talibah Newman
WORLD SHOWCASE
A non-competitive showcase of feature-length films.
Full Circle, World Premiere
Written, produced and directed by Solvan Naim
Cast: Rob Morgan, Solvan Naim, Eden Marryshow, Celestine Rae, Kelvin Hale and Devale Ellis
Home, World Premiere
Written and directed by Jono Oliver, Produced by Jono Oliver, Daniela Barbosa and Ged Dickersin
Cast: Gbenga Akinnagbe, Joe Morton, Fawny Cypress and Victor Williams
Home Again
Written by Jennifer Holness and David Sudz Sutherland, Directed by Sudz Sutherland, Produced by
Jennifer Holness, Don Carmody and Anita Lee
Cast: Tatyana Ali, Lyriq Bent, Stephan James, Fefe Dobson, Richard Chevolleau, Paul Campbell and CCH Pounder
Monica, World Premiere
Written and directed by Gregory Carter Produced by Datari Turner
Cast: Omari Hardwick, Ali Cobrin, Mariel Hemingway, James Remar, Lynn Whitfield, Robert Hoffman, Datari Turner, Briana Evigan and Obba Babatunde
Newlyweeds
Written and directed by Shaka King, Produced by Michael Matthews, Jim Wareck, Gbenga Akinnagbe and Shaka King
Cast: Amari Cheatom, Trae Harris, Tone Tank, Colman Domingo and Hassan Johnson
ABFF WEBISODE CHALLENGE
A showcase of short form content created for distribution on the Internet and other digital platforms. Three finalists compete for the ABFF Webisode Award.
The Couple: The Moo Moo
Written by Jeanine Daniels, Directed by Dennis Dortch
Roomieloverfriends
Written by Dennis Dortch and Numa Perrier, Directed by Dennis Dortch
Unwritten Rules
Written by Kim Williams, Directed by Natasha “Tash” Gray
FREE COMMUNITY SCREENINGS
Free public screenings presented by the City of Miami SEOPW CRA
Playin’ for Love, World Premiere
Written and directed by Robert Townsend
“Films Over Miami” Community Showcase: Highlighting Miami’s Emerging Filmmakers
Films to be announced
