Ahead of its June 17 release, the upcoming Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart action comedy “Central Intelligence,” will screen as the opening night film of the 20th American Black Film Festival on Wednesday, June 15, at the Olympia Theater, 174 East Flagler Street, Miami – an event that is presented by the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA), courtesy of Warner Bros.
The film follows Bob Stone (Johnson), a once-overweight geek who was bullied in high school but grew up to be an extremely lethal CIA agent, who takes a former high school classmate, who also was “big man on campus,” Calvin (Hart), on an adventure to save the world.
A New Line Cinema and Universal Pictures presentation distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, “Central Intelligence” also stars Amy Ryan, Aaron Paul and Danielle Nicolet.
“The MPAA is thrilled to sponsor the American Black Film Festival for the fourth year in a row and the Opening Night film for the second year. We are pleased to partner with one of our member studios, Warner Bros., to bring their new film, ‘Central Intelligence,’ starring Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, to the festival audience. I want to commend my good friend, Jeff Friday, and everyone at the American Black Film Festival for the amazing job they have done over the past 20 years. MPAA’s ongoing partnership with the ABFF underscores my belief that our industry is best served when we present a wide array of diverse stories,” said Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America.
Also announced today for this year’s festival is a new signature panel event called ABFF First Look, which will give festival attendees an inside look into two of the upcoming fall’s notable films with black casts: Nate Parker’s award-winning “The Birth of a Nation” and David E. Talbert’s “Almost Christmas.”
First, presented by MPAA, and courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures, an enlightening conversation with “The Birth of a Nation” director and star, Parker, along with cast members Aja Naomi King and actress Gabrielle Union. They will showcase behind-the-scenes clips on the making of the film, as well as discuss the film’s incredible journey to date. The panel will take place on Friday, June 17 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ritz Carlton Miami. The film opens in theaters October 7.
Second, “The Making of ‘Almost Christmas’,” sponsored by Comcast NBCU, and courtesy of Universal Pictures, will bring the ABFF audience a first-look at the new comedy from writer/director/executive producer Talbert, and producer Will Packer. The all-star cast is led by Kimberly Elise, Danny Glover, John Michael Higgins, Romany Malco, Mo’Nique, JB Smoove, Gabrielle Union, Omar Epps, Nicole Ari Parker, Jessie Usher and DC Young Fly. The film tells the festive story of a beloved patriarch who asks his family for one gift this holiday season: to get along. If they can honor that wish and spend five days under the same roof without killing one another, it will be a Christmas miracle. Talbert, Packer and Union (who also executive produces the comedy) will participate in a panel discussion for festival-goers about the making of “Almost Christmas” on Friday, June 17 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton Miami. The panel will be moderated by Buzzfeed Pop Culture Editor, Sylvia Obell. “Almost Christmas” arrives in theaters on November 11.
This year’s ABFF takes place from June 15-19. To purchase passes, tickets for events, panels and screenings at the American Black Film Festival, log on to www.ABFF.com.
