Event
Hollywood Black Film Festival 2009
The Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF), dubbed The Black Sundance, is an annual 6-day celebration of black cinema drawing together established and rising filmmakers, popular film and television stars, writers, industry executives, emerging artists and diverse audiences from Southern California and around the world.
The 10th Anniversary of the Hollywood Black Film Festival runs June 2-7, 2009 in Beverly Hills, CA, and will unspool a total of 102 films in five categories over 6 days. The lineup includes 19 features, 47 shorts, 20 documentaries, 13 student films, and 3 music videos, from eight countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Japan, the Bahamas, Central African Republic, and Ghana. Screenings will be held at the Fine Arts Theatre (8556 Wilshire Blvd.) and Laemmle Music Hall 3 (9036 Wilshire Blvd.) in Beverly Hills, CA.
"From action to comedy and romance to family-friendly, our 10th anniversary lineup offers something for everyone. I think we've put together an incredible lineup representative of the vast creative talents of emerging and veteran black filmmakers," says Tanya Kersey, the festival's founder and executive director. "This year's films reflect the full diversity of the black experience in America, and reflect a wide range of cinematic expressions from progressive black voices."
"I'm really excited about the great new crop of films we're exhibiting this year which come from a talented group of filmmakers who've pushed their creative boundaries to explore familiar themes with a fresh new twist. Many of the films explore themes that are edgy, that are provocative, and may have once been taboo, and it will be interesting to see how audiences respond" adds HBFF programming director, Jacqueline Blaylock. Blaylock points to the Christian comedy short "Jesus' Secretary" which pushes the envelope as it poses the provocative question "what can Jesus do with a secretary from hell," as an example of the festival's edgier fare. In the film which takes place in Heaven, La Nocca, Jesus' Secretary, has the task of registering souls. La Noccas rambunctious, overbearing nature causes her to make eternal judgment upon man.
Other notables in this year's lineup include "Afro Samurai: Resurrection," the first full length animated feature to screen at HBFF. It was executive produced by actor Samuel Jackson and features the voices of Jackson and Lucy Liu. Award winning artist The RZA did the score. "Afro Samurai" is the story of an Afro Samurai (Samuel L. Jackson) who when his fathers body is stolen from its grave, is forced to pick up his sword and wreak bloody vengeance against an army of deadly foes led by Lady Sio (Lucy Liu), a beautiful and sadistic mastermind from his past.
Another Hollywood heavyweight will unspool a film at HBFF 2009 as writer-producer Antwone Fisher ("Antwone Fisher") makes his directorial debut with the short film, "My Summer Friend," starring Mykelti Williamson. "My Summer Friend" is the tender story of an ex-con's unlikely friendship with a old woman in an assisted living home who inspires him to change his life for the better.
There are a number of recognizable faces in this year's crop of films. In the feature film category, "God Send Me A Man" stars Robin Givens and Clifton Powell;
"NSecure" features Essence Adkins, Tempest Bledsoe, Elise Neal and Nephew Tommy from the Steve Harvey radio show; "Blue" stars Keith David and Charles Malik Whitfield; and "A Kiss of Chaos" stars Adam Rodrigues from "CSI: Miami" and Michael Williams from "The Wire."
In the short film category, "I Own You," is written, directed and stars Gary Anthony Williams from "Boston Legal;" "Addicts" stars Michael Williams from "The Wire;" "Wig" features Kim Coles; and "Fever," from U.K. filmmaker Q, features Joseph Marcel from "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air."
Rev. Jesse Jackson and Colin Powell share their thoughts and comments in the documentary "Ballou," the story of a struggling inner city high school marching band.
In addition to film screenings, nearly 100 leading Industry Insiders will participate in two dozen panels and workshops at the festival's adjunct Infotainment Conference. A live, staged reading from the finalist scripts in the festival's Storyteller Competition, and nightly evening events, round out the week's festivities.
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LocationFine Arts Theatre
8556 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
United States
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