The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) comes back to Miami to celebrate the contributions that the African-American community has made to the film industry. And this year the ABFF has yet again compiled a dizzying schedule comprised of four days of film screenings, cocktail receptions, workshops, and "master classes" taught by the likes of Robert Townsend and Spike Lee.
ABFF founder, Jeff Friday says, "Every year the American Black Film Festival showcases new talents, new films, a new honoree, and new workshops. This year we will honor Keenan Ivory Wayans. Another unique event this year is our discussion with John Singleton, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Boys in the Hood."
ABFF 2011 kicks off on tomorrow with the opening night film, Townsend's
In the Hive, at the Colony Theater at 5:45 p.m. For fans of John
Singleton, check out "ABFF Remembers: The Enduring Significance of Boyz n
the Hood," at the Ritz Carlton at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday and enjoy a
screening of a documentary which details the making of Singleton's
seminal work, followed by a Q&A session with the master himself.
You may not know him by name, but once you see him, you'll know exactly
who he is. Friday, take part in Bill Duke's (Commando, Predator) Actor's
Boot Camp, at 3 p.m. Wrap it up in style on Saturday,
when the ABFF Awards After Party takes place from 10:30 p.m. to 2:30
a.m.
Friday continues, "The master classes, the screening of films featuring
new talent, and paying tribute to black Hollywood trailblazers, are the
reasons why the ABFF is still necessary." He adds, "Hollywood isn't
going in the right direction. The festival has to keep beating the drum,
we want to be a platform to show what black artists can do."
Tickets for individual events range from $50 to $200 and event passes
range from $450 to $1500. Passes and tickets will be on sale at the
festival's registration center located at the Ritz-Carlton (1 Lincoln
Rd., Miami Beach) beginning July 6. Visit abff.com.
Follow Cultist on Facebook and Twitter @CultistMiami.