In its inaugural year in New York City, the American Black Film Festival once again showcased a wealth of talent in the African American filmmaking community. Producers, actors, directors and writers gathered in The Big Apple to salute luminaries like Spike Lee and the late Ruby Dee, while also recognizing and networking with the rising talent in the industry. The weekend kicked off with the premiere of Think Like A Man, Too on Thursday night, with other events happening around the city, recognizing notables such as Lee.
In addition to honoring Lee’s work, both past and present, this year’s festival featured opportunities for attendees to hear from the notables who have helped shape the landscape of black film in recent years. Director and Rainforest Films co-founder Rob Hardy, who won a 2014 NAACP Image Award for Best Director of a TV Drama, offered his “Amazing Stories” in a live one-man interactive stage show, where he shared his journey and advice after finding success in Hollywood. Director and screenwriter Robert Townsend shared his technique for “The Perfect Pitch,” going through the various stages of pitching television and film ideas to executives at major studios.
Some of the biggest highlights of the festival were the screenings; from the highly-anticipated James Brown biopic Get On Up, to an unauthorized look at the life of Jay Z in A Genius Escapes the Hood, to the moving tribute to the late great Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee in Life’s Essentials With Ruby Dee; there was no shortage of brilliant work on display by visionary filmmakers.
Alton Glass’s CRU landed three Grand Jury awards: Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Narrative Feature Film, which was presented by BET Networks. It also tied for an Audience Award, with Una Vida.
Mike L. Brown’s “25 to Life” took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary, with actress Aunjanue Ellis being named Best Actress and Keith Robinson taking home Best Actor honors. Christopher Brandt’s “Island in the Sun” was named UP Faith & Family Screenplay Competition Winner; Kimberly D. Mitchell and Stefan Dezil were the winners of the Star Project, an acting competition that highlights emerging actors.
