Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Amazon Film Festival Unveils 2012 Jurors, Line-Up


Award-winning films from around the globe will be screened 
at this unique festival in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest 

MANAUS, BRAZIL (October 31, 2012) – The ninth annual Amazonas Film Festival today announced its 2012 line-up, which features award-winning films from around the globe, and its jury of international stars and filmmakers. The festival will run November 3-9 in Manaus, Brazil. Screenings will be held at the Teatro Amazonas, the Belle-Epoque opera house upon which Werner Herzog based his epic film, Fitzcarraldo.

Opening night will feature the award-winning Brazilian film, Colegas (Buddies), by writer and director Marcelo Galvao. A road movie that illuminates the poetic side of life through the eyes of three young people with Down Syndrome, Colegas follows Stalone (Ariel Goldenberg), who wants to see the ocean, Annie (Rita Pokk), who hopes to get married, and Marcio (Breno Viola) who dreams of flying. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1179259/

More than 30 films will compete in three sections at the festival, all vying for the Voo na Floresta (Flight Over the Jungle) trophy. These include: the International Feature Competition; the Brazilian Short Film Competition; the Competition for shorts produced in the state of Amazonas; and the screenwriting competition, for which there is a $40,000 prize. For the first time this year, the film awarded top honors at the festival will also receive a cash prize of nearly $10,000 ($20,000 real).

The International Feature Competition will showcase eight films from a diverse selection of countries, including: the critically acclaimed and controversial U.S. film Compliance; the winner of the World Cinema Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival, the Danish film Teddy Bear; and Jonathas’ Forest, set in the Amazon and directed by Manaus native Sergio Andrade. The full line-up of films is below.

The jury includes Romanian film director and producer, Tudor Giurgiu, (Vecini, Popcorn Story); Argentinian actress and winner of the 2010 Un Certain Regard – Best Actress award at Cannes for her performance in The Lips, Eva Bianco; Brazilian director and screenwriter Sergio Machado (Cidade Baixa), Brazilian actor Leonardo Medeiros (Lavoura Arcaica); and Programmer for the Chicago International Film Festival, Mimi Plauche.

Also attending the festival this year will be Craig Zobel, director of Compliance; star of The Other Son, French actor Jules Sitruk; and director of The Zebra, Fernando Leon from Mexico. Brazilian directors Marcelo Gomes (Once Upon A Time Was I, Veronica), Sergio Machado (Jonathas’ Forest), Pedro Bial and Heitor D’Alincourt (Jorge Mautner – The Son of the Holocaust) will also be on hand to present their films.

This year’s President of Honor is Brazilian filmmaker Zelito Vianna (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0895695/). There will be a special screening of his film Villa-Lobos: A Life of Passion at the festival.

This year there will also be a tribute to the 50 Anniversary of the Palme d’Or won by the Brazilian film O Pagador de Promessas (The Prayer of Promises), directed by Anselmo Duarte. In 1962 it was the first and to date the only Brazilian film to win the Palme d’Or and was also the first Brazilian and South American film nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

The Amazonas Film Festival is a weeklong gathering for Brazilian cinema enthusiasts, film industry insiders, international celebrities, filmmakers, and journalists to celebrate art and film in an incredible setting - the Amazonian rainforest. The festival also has a number of initiatives to educate local audiences about film, including screenings at community centers, prisons, hospitals, bus stops, and remote villages along the Rio Negro River.

Further information about the festival is available at facebook.com/AmazonasFilmFestival

AMAZONAS FILM FESTIVAL 2012 

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM COMPETITION 
  • JONATHAS’ FLOREST, by Sergio Andrade (Brazil) 
  • COMPLIANCE, by Craig Zobel (USA) 
  • ONCE UPON A TIME WAS I, VERONICA, by Marcelo Gomes (Brazil)
  • THE ZEBRA, by Fernando Javier Leon Rodríguez (Mexico) 
  • TEDDY BEAR, by Mads Matthiesen (Denmark) 
  • THE ANGELS’ SHARE, by Ken Loach (UK) 
  • THE OTHER SON, by Lorraine Lévy (Israel / France) 
  • JORGE MAUTNER – THE SON OF THE HOLOCAUST, by Pedro Bial & Heitor D’Alincourt. (Brazil) 

BRAZILIAN SHORT FILM COMPETITION 
  • A ARTE DE ANDAR PELAS RUAS DE BRASÍLIA, by Rafaela Camelo (Distrito Federal) 
  • A DAMA DO ESTÁCIO, by Eduardo Ades (Rio de Janeiro)
  • A CIDADE, by Liliana Sulzbach (Rio Grande do Sul) 
  • A GALINHA QUE BURLOU O SISTEMA, by Quico Meirelles (São Paulo) 
  • A MÃO QUE AFAGA, by Gabriela Amaral Almeida (São Paulo) 
  • A POEIRA DOS PEQUENOS SEGREDOS, by Bertrand Lira (Paraíba) 
  • DIA ESTRELADO, by Nara Normande (Pernambuco) 
  • LINEAR, by Amir Admoni (São Paulo) 
  • MONUMENTO, by Gregório Graziosi (São Paulo) 
  • NA ROTA DA ILUSÃO, by Dheik Praia (Amazonas) 
  • GIGANTE, by Julio Vanzeler & Luís da Mata Almeida (Santa Catarina) 
  • QUINHA, by Caroline Oliveira (Pernambuco) 
  • REALEJO, de Marcus Vinicius Vasconcelos (São Paulo) 
  • VENTO DE FEIÇÃO, by Ana Moravi (Minas Gerais) 

SHORT FILM COMPETITION - FOR FILMS PRODUCED IN AMAZONAS 
  • A SEGUNDA BALADA, de Rafael Ramos dos Santos (Manaus)
  • A ÚLTIMA NO TAMBOR, by Ricardo Araújo R. D’Albuquerque (Manaus) 
  • A ÚLTIMA TRAVESSIA, de Joice Caster (Manaus) 
  • ASFALTO, by Moacyr Massulo (Manaus) 
  • CHÃO MOLHADO, by Everton Macedo e Silva (Parintins) 
  • CINEMA EM TRÂNSITO, by João Aureo (Parintins) 
  • ET SET ERA, by Emerson Medina & Rod Castro (Manaus) 
  • FILHOS DO HAITI, de Ari Santos (Manaus) 
  • FIO DA PONTA, by Erismar Fernandes Rodrigues (Manaus) 
  • NO RÁDIO DO SEU CORAÇÃO, by Elisa Bessa e Ladilce Pontes (Manaus) 
  • RETRATOS DE MANAUS, de Sergio Cobelo (Manaus) 
  • O TEMPO QUE VOLTA, by Abelly Cristyne (Manaus) 
  • PARIS DOS TRÓPICOS, by Keurem Maia Marçal (Manaus) 
  • POSTUMO, by Diego Nogueira (Manaus) 
  • TERRA DOS MENINOS PELADOS, de Izis Negreiros (Manaus) 
UMA DOCE DAMA, by Leonardo José Mancini (Manaus)

Friday, October 26, 2012

Chris Rock Set To Record at L.A. Theatre Works


CHRIS ROCK

Six performances will be recorded at UCLA’s
James Bridges Theater for public radio broadcast


Los Angeles, Calif. – October 26, 2012 – Chris Rock will join previously announced members of the original Broadway cast, including Tony-nominated Bobby Cannavale and Elizabeth Rodriguez, when L.A. Theatre Works presents Stephen Adly Guirgis’ high-octane hit The Motherf***er with the Hat. Six performances will be recorded in front of a live audience at UCLA’s James Bridges Theater, Jan. 31 through Feb. 2, 2013, for later radio broadcast. L.A. Theatre Works' syndicated radio theater series airs weekly on radio stations nationwide and can be streamed on demand at www.latw.org.  For more information about the performances, call 310-827-0889 or go to www.latw.org.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

The Hollywood Black Film Festival Opens Oct. 25



THE HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL OFFERS 
PROGRAMMING, PANELS, AND PARTNERSHIPS
                         
(October 24, 2012 – Hollywood, CA) – Tanya Kersey, Founder and Executive Director, is excited about the 2012 season of the Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) with an exciting line up of films, panels, panelists and festivities over a four day period.  HBFF happens October 25 – 28, 2012 and will be hosted at The W Hotel, 6250 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028.  The Opening Night will be held on October 25 @ 7:00 PM. All films will be screened around the corner at the Montalban Theater, 1615 Vine Street, Hollywood, CA.

Note To Self, the Opening Night Film, centers around a handsome and popular student-athlete who embarks on a journey of self-realization while navigating the choppy waters of a love triangle. The film stars Christian Keyes, LeToya Luckett, Richard T. Jones, Brian McKnight, Eva Marcille, Clifton Powell, Valarie Pettiford, Jason Weaver, Brely Evans, Sebastian Siegal, Willie Taylor, Mishon Ratliff, Brian McKnight, Jr. and more. Trey Haley directs from a script by Christian Keyes.  ND Brown, Eric Tomosunas, Veronica Nicholas and Keith Neal are the producers. Gregory Anderson and Reginald Jones are the executive producers.  The film is produced Tri Destined Studios and Swirl Films, and is being distributed by One Village/Image Entertainment.  Following the screening there will be a Q&A with the director, writer and cast, and a college-themed after-party will follow.

Festival goers can look forward to three (3) FREE Events; Monologue Slam with Twinkie Byrd and Celebrity Friends (Actor Omari Hardwick, Sparkle; Actress Erica Hubbard, Akeelah and the Bee; Actress Naturi Naughton, Fame, Actress Kym Whitley, Greg’s Anatomy & Oh Drama) on Saturday, October 27 @ 5:15 PM, followed by Michael Baisden presents the HBFF Storyteller Competition Live Staged Reading (Kenny Lattimore, Keith Burke, Jermaine Jacox, Alexia Peebles, Danny Delloyd, Sy Richardson, Roger Payano, Marvin Gay and Adenrele Oji-Allen) @ 7:00 PM. On Sunday @ 11:30 AM with Faith in Films: A Conversation with DeVon Franklin.

The HBFF has an impressive list of panelist which include notable names such as Amber Rasberry, Director of Development, 34th St Films, a subsidiary of Tyler Perry Studios; Bentley Kyle Evans, Creator/Executive Producer, “Love That Girl” (TV One); Billy Hawkins, Motion Picture Literary Agent, Creative Artists Agency (CAA); Brian Dobbins, Talent Manager, Partner, Principato-Young; Christopher Mack, Vice President, Warner Bros. Workshop; Dana Sims, Talent Agent, ICM; DeVon Franklin, Senior Vice President, Production, Columbia Pictures; James Lopez, Senior Vice President, Production, Screen Gems; Karen Horne. VP, Entertainment Diversity Programs, NBC Ent/Universal Television; Entertainment Attorney Matt Johnson; Robert Mendez, Senior Vice President, Disney/ABC Television Group; Traci Lynn Blackwell, Vice President of Current Programs, The CW Network and Casting Director Twinkie Byrd.

Three Key Sessions you don’t want to miss: New Avenues To Finance, Produce & Distribute Films on Any Budget on Friday, October 26 @ 11:45 AM; Master Class: Film Producers Roundtable on Saturday @ 2:45 PM and the Pitchaton on Sunday @ 1:30 PM.

The HBFF closes with the world premiere of 24 Hour Love, which showcases seven stories of everyday people experiencing love, laughter, life and relationships of the heart … the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The film stars Melinda Williams, Tatyana Ali, Keith Robinson, Eva Marcille, Flex Alexander, Chico Benymon, Lynn Whitfield and Darius McCrary. Fred Thomas directs from a script by Don B. Welch.  The producers are Eric Tomosunas and Don B. Welch. Following the screening there will be a Q&A with the director, writer and cast.  The festival wrap-party will follow.

(Full schedule below)



About the HBFF
Founded in 1999, The Hollywood Black Film Festival aims to enhance the careers of emerging and established North American filmmakers through a public exhibition, competition program and industry panels.  Known amongst the entertainment industry’s powerbrokers as, “The Black Sundance,” the festival brings independent works of accomplished and aspiring black filmmakers to an environment encompassing the mainstream Hollywood community and Southern California film-going audiences. The festival’s goal is to play an integral role in discovering and launching independent films and filmmakers by bringing them to the attention of the industry, press and public.

HBFF Sponsors
HBFF 2012 is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors.  Official sponsors are NBC/UniversalWells FargoNike and Studio System. Supporting sponsors are Greenhouse Studios and QR for Film.  Participating sponsors are Clear EssenceDama TequilaFinal DraftHawaiian Springs WaterBaisden FilmworksMotions HaircareSyncom and Waves & Trails Travel. Festival friends include CC NailsCofer Entertainment GroupCreative HandbookEmma's CupcakesGlidecam and Sony Creative SoftwareBlackpr.com and Naija Standard Newspaper are media partners. Dama TequilaD's Original Take Out GrillHawaiian Springs WaterOne Village EntertainmentTri Destined StudiosSwirl Films and Southern Girl Desserts are the Opening Night sponsors.  Additional thanks to the W Hotel and The Montalban.

###


HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
October 25-28, 2012
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
·      All Films will be screened at the Montalban Theater, 1615 Vine Street, Hollywood 90028
·      All Panels will be held at the W Hotel, 6250 Hollywood Bl, Hollywood 90028
For more details: http://www.hbff.org. THERE IS A CELL PHONE APP!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25

7:00 PM                       OPENING NIGHT FILM
Note To Self
Note to Self follows a handsome and popular student athlete coming of age during his senior year of college, as his world begins to fall apart due to his mom’s failing health and the reappearance of his father after 16 years.
Director: Trey Haley; Writer: Christian Keyes; Producers: ND Brown, Eric Tomosunas, Veronica Nicholas, Keith Neal; Executive Producers: Brett Dismuke and Christian Keyes; Production Companies: Tri Destined Studios, Swirl Films; Distributors: Image Entertainment, One Village Entertainment
Key Cast: Christian Keyes, LeToya Luckett, Richard T. Jones, Brian McKnight, Eva Marcille, Clifton Powell, Valarie Pettiford, Jason Weaver, Brely Evans, Sebastian Siegal, Willie Taylor, Mishon Ratliff, Brian Mcknight, Jr. and more.                                                       

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26

 10:00am
Packaging & Pitching Your Project and Yourself with Heather Hale
You need to be prepared to talk about you and your project at any time or place. In this workshop you'll develop and sharpen your pitch, polish your presentation skills, and learn how to clearly convey your passion and the marketability of your film, TV or new media project.
Speaker: Heather Hale, Director/Screenwriter/Producer/Script Consultant, et al

11:15am
New Avenues to Finance, Produce & Distribute Films on any Budget

Independent film financing and distribution of a film can be tricky. You can pitch a film project, but you must also be able to dance to music of the investor. It’s their stage, and they don’t like indie filmmakers looking for funding. Come find out how the availability of commercial distribution opportunities for films at any budget level is changing as the industry embraces an explosion of new and unconventional resources for financing, producing and distributing independent films.

Moderator: Brickson Diamond, Blackhouse Foundation Chair & Philanthropist
Panelists: Travis Stevens, Founder, Snowfort Pictures; Kathryn Arnold, Filmmaker; Darrien Michele Gipson, SAG Indie, Hal Sadoff, Consultant (former head of ICM's international and independent film department)

12:00 pm (An Afternoon of Docs)
Hubbles’s Diverse Universe (FILM)
The scientific research and experiences of six African American and three Hispanic American astronomers and astrophysicists are presented in this documentary.  ‘Diverse’ refers to both the ethnic diversity of the scientists who appear in the film and the diverse set of astronomy topics explored.  The film as four chapters: Science, Diversity, Mentoring and Outreach, and NASA’s contributions.
Director: Dean Tapia, Producer: Lisa Boags – Running Time: 27:00

12:00 pm
Innocents Lost: Teenage Girls Struggles (FILM)
This edgy documentary will explore drug use, prostitution, gang-banging and other issues that make up the lives of three young girls. 
Producer: Dana Hanna, Producer: Joy Sudduth –Running Time: 47:00

12:30pm 
Hollywood 101: I want to be an Actor, Writer, Director or Producer –Where do I
start?
This workshop and panel discussion will focus on resources for the beginner actor, writer, director producer, will discuss the importance of networking, and give information on developing your talent so when they opportunity comes, you’re ready. We will have SAG, WGA, DGA, & PGA representatives on hand as well as a networking expert.
  Moderator:  Mark Travis, BOYDEN ROAD PRODUCTIONS
Panelist: Sheldon Candis, Writer; Datari Turner, Producer; Dorian Missick, Actor; Matthew Cherry, Director; Ashida Onrae, Host/Speaker; Amber Rasberry, Director of Development, 34th St. Films, a subsidiary of Tyler Perry Studios; Nzingha Stewart, Writer, Producer, Director;

1:15pm
Bringing Diversity to Show Business: Talent & Workforce Diversity
There are a multitude of business opportunities in the studio and network
systems for talent in the areas of acting, directing, writing and producing. However, there are also behind the scenes jobs ranging from accounting, development, graphic design, legal and printing services to marketing, video production and editing. This 2-­part session is geared toward up and coming creative and business professionals who want to learn the secrets to obtaining opportunities to share your talent to the major studios and networks.


Panel 1Talent Diversity: (1:15pm - 2pm)
Diversity executives from ABC, FOX & NBC/Universal will discuss how to be seen by studios/networks. They will answer a wide range of questions including: What does it take to be taken seriously by the studios/networks? How to cultivate
contacts within the studio and network systems? How does a studio/network go
about selecting diverse talent? How can diversity representatives help me? How do I meet and find the right advocates within the studio and network?

Moderator: David Brownstein, Career Coach
Panelists: Karen Horne, NBC; Tiffany Smith, CBS; Kimberly Myers, WGA; Robert
Mendez, ABC; Christopher Mac, Warner Bros.

  1:30 pm

  Mas Man: The Complete Work (FILM)
  It is the only film made about the man who reached 80 per cent of the planet in a single night. 
Mas Man (The Complete Work) explores Peter Minshall’s leap from designer in the Trinidad       Carnival to an artistic director of the Opening Ceremonies for three Olympic Games, based on
his knack for ‘making what is small seem big in an Olympic stadium.’
Producer/Director: Dalton Narine – Running Time: 89:00

Panel 2 Workforce Diversity (2 – 2:45pm)
What does it take to work with the studios and networks? There’s a need for
more than just diverse talent but a more diverse workforce. In this panel HR &
diversity executives will discuss the experience necessary and available positions
with the studios and networks.
Moderator: Debra Langford
Panelists: TBA

3:00pm

Creating Content in Today's Multi-­Platform Marketplace
This session will address the new landscape and opportunities facing content
creators working across platforms in film, television and new media technologies.
Panelists: Dennis Dortch, Filmmaker; Dave Mann, VP of Business Development, Poptent Productions; Rachael McLean, Digital Media Executive, JuntoBox Films;

  3:30 pm
  Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution (FILM)
  In an era known for protests and sit-ins, the 1973 Grand Divertissement at Versailles made a
  statement of its own – a fashion statement.  The legendary event pitting the five lions of French
  couture Givenchy, Dior, Ungaro, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Cardin with five American
  designers Halston, Oscar de la Renta, Anne Klein, Stephen Burrows and Bill Blass created a
  cross-stitch of change across fashion, race, business and catwalks.  When African American
  models Bethann Hardison, Pat Cleveland, Alva Chinn, Billie Blair, Norma Jean Darden, Barbara
  Jackson, Jennifer Brice, Romana Saunders and Amina Warsuma boarded the plane to Paris, they
  Had no idea they would help change the course of fashion and pull off its biggest coup.
  Director: Deborah Riley Draper – Running Time: 82:00

4:15pm

How to Write a “Fundable” Business Plan
If you’re interested in funding financing your film, you’ve got to start with a business plan
Which connects the creative process and the business side of filmmaking.  In this workshop you will learn how to utilize tools and access the information needed to develop a business plan that can actually get your project funded. 
SPONSORED BY STUDIOSYSTEMS
Panelist: Alexa Amin, Executive Editor, Studio System News; Tanya Kersey, Founder & Executive Director, Hollywood Black Film Festival; Bobby Mardis, Filmmaker/Director, B. Story Pictures & Fat Chance Films; Diane Panosian, Sales Coordinator, Studio Systey, Intelligence Division and Anthony Pinga.

5:00 PM
Dar He: The Lynching of Emmitt Till (FILM)
In an acting tour de force, one man performs 36 roles in the telling of the Emmett Till tragedy. 
Director: Rob Underhill, Producer: Aravind Ragupathi, Producer: Mike Wiley –Running Time: 70:00

5:30pm
Crowdfunding: How to Get Your Project Over the Finish Line
Crowd funding has emerged in recent years as the new alternative to traditional routes of funding.  Sites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo have become the standard bears for filmmakers looking to raise money on line.  This panel will discuss how crowd funding works, the pitfalls, benefits and a whole lot more.
Panelist: Mychal Wilson, Entertainment & Qui Tam Attorney; Tifanie Jodeh, Co-Founder/Partner, Entertainment Law Partners; Numa Perrier, Artist, Actress, Producer, Black&Sexy TV; Jacques Thelemaque, President, Filmmakers Alliance; Entertainment Attorneys Paul Battista and Michael Blaha, Law Office of Paul Battista.

6:30 PM (FILM)
The Coalition
The bad boys club is really not all that bad.  Young, rich and handsome…the boys know how to have a good time.  They love women, fast cars and doing whatever they want to do.  They comes a time in life, however, when karma is helped along.  When it’s done by a group of scorned women…it can prove to be devastating.
Director: Monica Mingo, Producer: Rich Volin – Running Time: 98:00

8:30 PM (FILM)
The Great Divide
Tosha Landry, eccentric wife and nucleus of a circle of very ethnically diverse friends, is a student of the ancient Indian teaching of the Tantra and Kama Sutra.  One Friday evening at the monthly get-together, Tosha introduces a game designed to elicit feeling and impressions men and women have about each other.
Director: Ibrahim Yilla, Producers: Dan Garcia, Wendy Wiltz and Jason Hewitt
Key Cast, Tichina Arnold, Darrin Dewitt-Henson, Richard T. Jones, Golden Brooks, Rocsi Diaz and Clyde Jones – Running Time: 86:00

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2012

9:30-10:30 AM
Masters Class: Actors Edition
(Part 1)
Joanne Baron & D.W. Brown
Joanne Baron is an actress, producer, and the Artistic Director of Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Studio in Santa Monica, CA.  Joanne studied the Meisner Technique under Stanford Meisner and William Esper in New York, who later trained Joanne to teach acting.  Joanne is a highly regarded actress in theater, television, and film, whose credits include Spider-Man 2, Real Genius, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Mad Men.
D.W. Brown is the co-owner and head instructor of the Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Studio. D.W. discovered a profound appreciation of the Mesiner Method after extensive training and he subsequently became an instructor.  He trained actors, writers, and directors for the past 25 years at the studio.  He has conducted seminars with actors such as Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Hopkins, Sean Penn, and Susan Sarandon, etc.
10:00am
Online Social Networking, Promotions & Building Audiences in Cyberspace
Donna Presenter Michelle Anderson will discuss how filmmakers, writers, directors, actors and other industry professionals can network online and promote their brand and build audiences online. Will talk about how to capitalize online at the click of a mouse. The Internet can help you generate word of mouth "buzz," promote your products and talents, and to build a world-wide audience and fan base. Presenter: DMA/Donna Michelle Anderson, CEO, CLIC

10:30 AM
Master Class: Actors Edition (Part 2)
Aaron Speiser has been training and coaching actors for over 25 years. Working with the most acclaimed actors, directors, and producers in the industry, Mr. Speiser helps actors by bringing his vast experience and depth of knowledge of the craft of acting to his students in a simple, straightforward, practical and inspirational way. Aaron Speiser coaches Will Smith and Virginia Madsen, both of whom have recently been nominated for Academy Awards with Mr. Speiser’s help. He has also coached Jennifer Lopez from the beginning of her career. LL Cool J, Mandy Moore, The Rock (Dwayne Johnson), Brooke Shields, Jeff Foxworthy, Shanny Sossamon, Ashley Johnson, Shawn, Marlon, and Kim Wayans are some of the accomplished actors who round out the list.  Working with such renowned directors as Oliver Stone, Michael Mann, F. Gary Gray, Adam Shankman, Wayne Wang, and Peter Berg. to name a few, has enabled Mr. Speiser to bring the latest Film and Television techniques to his studio and clients.

11:15am
Masters Class: Writers Edition
Television writer and producer Bentley Kyle Evans who has been behind the
scenes of some of television’s most popular TV productions such as Martin, The Parkers, One On One, The Jamie Foxx show and more, will host our Master Class for Writers. Bentley will share insight into the television writing, producing & development process, and hopefully demystify what it takes to turn a good idea into a great television show. There may also be surprise visits from celebrity guests.


  12:00 PM (Scheduler’s Choice Films)

  Elegy for a Revolutionary (FILM)
  Two friends oppose the apartheid-era government in South Africa.  Their choice to use violence
  Tears their relationship apart.
  Director: Paul van Zyl, Producer: Stacy Ekstein – Running Time: 22:00

  Operation: CTF (FILM)
  Operation: CTF is about a futuristic, weapon-based game of Capture the Flag, following four
  combative team members through a maze-structured warehouse in effort to complete their
  objective and win the game.
  Director: Denzel Whitaker, Producer: Kasey Shirk – Running Time: 8:00

  Seafood Tester (FILM)
  A son is tired of bailing his mother out of trouble.  In order to save her from herself, he must
  Resort to extreme measures to confront her with the truth.
  Producer/Director: Darious Britt – Running Time: 9:00

  The Bubble Gum Hit  (FILM)
  A hired female assassin, with a impulsive fetish for the kill, becomes entangled between the
  target and the people that hirer here to complete the hit.
  Producer/DirectorL Eric Richardson-Hagans, Producer: Michael Francis – Running Time: 22:00

  What About Us (FILM)
  A family desperate to find their missing daughter soon realize their daughter’s significance in
  society is based on their social and economic status.
  Director: Deatra Harris, Producer: Bryan Johnson – Running Time: 20:00


12:30pm
Hollywood's Top Guns: The Truth about Packaging, Negotiating & Dealmaking
Panel of some of Hollywood's top legal minds, agents and managers will discuss a broad range of topics from how to get a top gun to represent you to structuring favorable deals.
Moderator: Christina Norman
Panelists: Jelani Johnson, Talent Manager, Generate; Matt Johnson, Managing Partner, Ziffren Brittenham; Brian Dobbins, Partner, Principato-Young; Dana Sims, Talent Agent, ICM, Darryl Taja, President, Epidemic Pictures, Billy Hawkins, Motion Picture Literary Agent, CAA; Everly Lee, Talent Agent, Global Artist Agency.

1:30 PM (Programmer’s Choice Films)
A Difficult Thank You (FILM)
A mother and father are devastated to find out that their recently deceased daughter
Signed up to be an organ donor without their knowing.  The family is divided as the father and two remaining daughters find comfort in corresponding with the organ recipients, white the mother sees the correspondence as a betrayal.
Director: Edrei Hutson, Producer: J’Vanne Yancy – Running Time: 14:00

Animal Control (FILM)
An outrageously funny, over-the-top mock reality show that pulls the veil off a reality television and show exactly how these pieces of crap get made!  Down and out Hollywood producer Allen Davies owes a lot of people money.  After the unsuccessful attempts of his last few projects, let’s just say finding work has been pretty slow.  That is, until foreign investors hire Allen to produce a new reality show for American television. 
Producer/Director: Brian Shackelford, Producer: Joyce Fitzpatrik – Running Time: 16:00

Junior (FILM)
Seven years after a police raid gone wrong, a detective is confronted with the consequence of his past mistake.
Director: Jeffrey Elmont, Producers: Bryan Smiley, Christina Northup, Marcus Dupree
Running Time: 11:00

Saudade (FILM)
James, lynched at the turn of the century, seeks his bride Sarah, whom he stumbles across in the present day.  Dead set on having her see him, he haunts her, but it brings unexpected results.
Director: Evita Castine, Producer: Allison Melanson – Running Time: 6:00

Stare Straight Crew (FILM)
An inside look at the wacky world of rival Staring champions as they train for the next World Championship and the affection of their Master guru.
  Director: Paul Aspuria, Producers: Juan Sotelo, Raymund Aranda – Running Time: 7:00

The Death of a Prince (FILM)
When a troubled teen stumbles upon an ancient book he is confronted with his past, present and future through the life and death of a young African Prince.  Now he must take actions to alter his fate or succumb to the same fate as the prince  before him.
Director:  A.R. Hilton, Producer: Joseph Francis – Running Time: 24:00

1:45pm
The Business of Acting
Directors discuss their films and careers, the industry, and the building blocks
needed to successfully develop a directing career.
Moderator: Jacque Cofer, CEO, Executive Producer, Cofer Entertainment Group 
Panelist: Actors Kym Whitley, Christian Keyes, Dondre Whitfield, Ana Maria Horsford, and Salli Richardson-Whitfield.



2:45pm
Masters Class: Producers Roundtable -Film
All projects face the same basic challenges – from developing material, finding the money, building strong collaborative teams, and ultimately, taking the project from script to screen. This is a roundtable discussion with seasoned and successful film and television producers and production executives who share their experience and offer concrete advice on producing for film and television. Moderator:
Panelist: N.D. Brown, Chairperson/CEO, Tri Destined Studios; Ryan Jones, Director of Production, Morgan Creek Productions;  Niija Khykendall, VP, Production, Warner Bros. Pictures and James Lopez, Senior Vice President, Production, Screen Gems


  3:00 PM (50 Shades…)

  Even Me (FILM)
  Even Me confronts the overwhelming crisis of HIV/AIDS among older adults 50+.  Defying the
  Myth that HIV/AIDS is a gay or young person’s disease, this revealing documentary depicts the
  devastating impact of this epidemic on the heterosexual, older adult population and
  communities of color. 
  Producer/Director: Megan Ebor – Running Time: 24:00

  How Tiger Can Get His Swag Back (FILM)
  With the help of the mystical Brotha Vance, Tiger Woods embraces his African-American
  heritage to make a comeback and win the heart of the ultimate sista—Michelle Minaj.
  Director: Xl Greene, Producer: Michael Watkins – Running Time: 6:00

  The Last/First Kiss (FILM)
  Two twenty-something strangers accidentally encounter one another in a park and forge an
  unexpected connection.  Following which a spontaneous but short lived romance develops
  between the two.
  Producer/Director: Andrea Ashton, Producer: Andrew Stoneham – Running Time: 16:00

  The Ultimate Wingman (FILM)
  No situation is too tough for the Ultimate Wingmen.  This fearless, secretive, private, group of
  Men are on call 24/7 to step in and interfere, occupy, or remove nagging friends so that hopeful
  men can meet their possible wives.
  Directors: Sedric Veal, Jorge Sanchez, Producers: Carl Herard, Lanre Idewu, Tobijah Tyler
  Running Time: 13:00

  White Space (FILM)
  White Space follows the inner life of a deaf performance poet as he makes his debut at an open-
  mic night for a hearing audience. 
  Director:  Maya Washington, Producers: Freddy F. Hakimi, Samantha Manalang
  Running Time: 9:00

4:00 pm
Masters Class: TV Producers Roundtable
All projects face the same basic challenges – from developing material, finding the money, building strong collaborative teams, and ultimately, taking the project from script to screen.  This is a roundtable discussion with seasoned and successful film and television producers and production executives who share their experience and offer concrete advice on producing for television.
Panelist: Traci Lynn Blackwell, Vice President of Current Programs, The CW Network; Chika Chukudebelu, Executive, BET Network; Debra Curtis, Senior Vice President of Current Programming, eOne Television; and Charles Murray, Writer.

4:30 pm (Black Men in Film)

Operation Home Front (FILM)
Best Selling Author Ezekiel Anderson is at a spiritual crossroads that is costing him his marriage.  On the brink of divorce, a divine intervention hopes to remind Ezekiel of life’s true gifts.
Producer/Director:  Donre Walker, Producer: Joanna Ellenbeck – Running Time: 20:00


Peace on the Streets (FILM)
Young Black men in major metropolitan cities all around America are dying.  Rappers from the
San Francisco Bay Area have gotten together to express the issue via this music video.
Director:  Bobby Mardis, Music: Cholly J, Writers: Cholly J, Stephen Ashford & Bobby Mardis
Running Time: 6:00

The Extortionist (FILM)
When a depressed and introverted man comes home to his happy son, he has to recount the tales of the past in which an extortionist controlled his life.
Producer/Director/Writer: Logan Williams – Running Time: 10:00

The Gift (FILM)
Best Selling Author Ezekiel Anderson is at a spiritual crossroads that is costing him his marriage.  On the brink of divorce, a divine intervention hopes to remind Ezekiel of life’s true gifts.
Producer/Director/Writer: Harold Jackson III – Running Time: 16:00

They Lost It (FILM)
A young man is hit with the realization that his mistress and father are set to wed.  He then goes into panic mode, devising a plan to keep his wife and father from finding him out.
Producer/Director/Writer:  Harrell Williams – Running Time: 28:00

5:15 PM

Monologue Slam w/Twinkie Byrd and Celebrity Friends
Actors will have a chance to show off their acting skills by performing a 1-minute monologue of their choice in front of a panel of judges.  The panel will offer feedback to the actor and give them notes on improving their audition.  Actors should treat this like an audition. 
Panelist: Tracy “Twinkle” Byrd, Casting Director, In the Twink of an Eye Casting; Actor, Omari Hardwick, Sparkle; Actress Kym Whitley, Oh Drama/BET; Actress Naturi Naughton, The Client List; and Actress Erica Hubbard, Akeelah and the Bee.

KYM WHITLEY
6:00 PM
The Eugenist (FILM)
The Eugenist is a feature length horror film from director and author Tariq Nasheed following a group of college students who discover strange activities going on in a mysterious abandoned school.
Producer/Director/Writer: Tariq Nasheed, Writer: Aaron Strongoni – Running Time: 72:00

7:30pm
Storyteller Competition Live Staged Reading & Reception hosted by Michael
Baisden
Live staged reading of the 3 finalist scripts in the festival's storyteller Competition. Presented by Michael Baisden, the reading will be directed and cast by veteran stage director/writer/producer Don Welch (The Bachelor Party and The Bachelorette Party).

Starring: Music artist Kenny Lattimore; Sy Richardson(Repo Man); actors Keith Burke, Jermaine Jacox, Alexia Peebles, Danny Delloyd, Roger Payano, Marvin Gay and Adenrele Oji-Allen.

 8:00 PM

Against the Grain (FILM)
Isaiah Johnson, an inner-city kid from Oakland, California, has an opportunity to attend an
Elite University.  In his first year of college, he struggles to maintain his grades, attempts to      remain loyal to his troubled childhood friends, and valiantly tries to capture the hear of his    dream-girl.  But when he arrives at a crossroad, he’s forced to choose between his past and his future.
Producer/Director/Writer: Elias Mael, Executive Producer: Mayon Denton
Running Time: 87:00

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2012


11:30am
Faith in Films: A Conversation with DeVon Franklin
SPONSORED BY WELLS FARGO
You’ve seen him on “Super Soul Sunday” with Oprah Winfrey, now producer and preacher Devon Franklin takes centerstage at the Hollywood Black Film Festival’s Infotainment Conference in “Faith in Film: A Conversation with DeVon Franklin.”

Ten years ago DeVon started in the business as an assistant and today he is a rarity: an African-American studio executive at the forefront of Hollywood.  He currently serves as Vice President of Production for Columbia Pictures, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment where he oversaw the remake of one of the summer’s biggest hits, The Karate Kid, starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith, which grossed over $350 million worldwide.  He also worked on The Pursuit of Happiness and Hancock starring Will Smith, the faith-based hit Not Easily Broken, produced by Bishop T.D. Jakes and the upcoming romantic comedy, Jumping the Broom starring Angela Bassett and Paula Patton.

(l-r) PAULA PATTON and ANGELA BASSETT in
JUMPING THE BROOM

In this up-an-close and personal conversation, DeVon sits down with Tanya Kersey, HBFF Founder/Executive Director (http://www.tanyakersey.com) to discuss Faith in Films, the secret to successfully balancing life in Hollywood and faith.  Following the discussion, DeVon will be signing copies of his book, Produced by Faith (http://www.producedbyfaith.com) .

Thanks to the generous support of Wells Fargo, admission is FREE if you pre-register.  On-site registration is $30 if you don’t pre-register before midnight on October 27.

Speaker:  DeVon Franklin, Vice President, Production, Columbia Pictures/Sony

11:30 am (Students & Shorts)
Barbarsol (FILM)
A story about a man that desires a bond with his elderly father.  He realizes that he is running out of time due his father slipping further into dementia.  What he comes to realize is he needs to now turn his attention toward his own son.
Director/Executive Producer: Ralph K. Scott, Writer/Producer: Kiara C. Jones
Running Time: 20:00

Malachi IX (FILM)
Running Time: 20:00

A Tar Baby is Born (FILM)
The popular stories featuring the trickster Brer Rabbit can be traced back to the oral storytelling tradition of African slaves who brought this device to the plantation.  Upon hearing these stories while working as a newspaper apprentice on the plantation, a white journalist by the name of Joel Chandler Harris became so fascinated that he adapted and complied them in a book form in 1881, creating the fictional character Uncle Remus to narrate the stories.
Director/Writer: Theron Smith – Running Time: 3:00

Astorgos (FILM)
When a rumor sprouts up questioning Mathew’s little brother Nathaniel’s sexuality, Matthew is faced with the choice of either accepting Nathaniel for whom he is or breaking the bond of their relationship forever.
Producer/Director:  Solomon Onita, Jr. – Running Time: 13:00

Why Do You Have Black Dolls? (FILM)
A documentary that explores the history, beauty, and pride that is the black doll.  Through its characters it reveals that the black doll is more than a plaything; it is a cultural artifact that represents the history of the people it depicts.
Producer/Director:  Samantha Knowles – Running Time: 25:00

1:30pm
Pitchathon
A panel of seasoned writers, producers and executives discuss how to craft a compelling pitch in 30-60 seconds. Also, how to excite and entice your listener, in order to get them to want to read your script and more…
Moderator: Richard Willis, Jr CEO & Executive Producer, Mozzell Entertainment Group
Panelist: Jeff Byrd, Director, Feather Films; Mark Cartier, Producer; Mike Regen, Senior VP of Acquisitions, RBC Film Group; Devorah Cutler-Rubenstein, President, Noble House Entertainment and Chay Alexander Wright, Owner/President, Look Alike Production.

1:45 PM
The Black Kungfu Experience  (FILM)
This action-packed documentary chronicles kungfu’s black pioneers and heroes, exploring a dynamic intersection of African-American and Chinese culture. 
Producers/Directors:  Martha Burr, Mei-Juin Chen – Running Time: 57:00

3:00 PM

He Heard My Cry (FILM)
Jay is faced with a dilemma while torn between two best friends, his fiance’ allege infidelity/pregnancy, and the new apple in his eyes, he must make a decision between heaven and hell.
Director/Writer: Ervin Riggs, Producer: Ivan Anderson – Running Time: 100:00

6:00 PM (CLOSING NIGHT FILM)

24 Hour Love
The greatest feeling in the world is when you learn to love!  This feature showcases seven stories of everyday people experiencing love, laughter, life and relationships of the heart.  The Good, the Bad and the Ugly..It’s all here.  24 Hour Love…what a difference a day makes!

Don B. Welch, Writer/Producer; Fred Thomas, Director and Eric Tomosunas, Producer.

Cast:   Malinda Williams (Soul Food); Tatyana Ali (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air); Keith Robinson (Dream Girls); Eva Marcille (Cross Over); Angell Conwell (Baby Boy); Flex Alexander(Snake On a Plane); Chico Benymon (Because I Love You); Lynn Whitfield (Stepmon); and Darius McCrary(Transformers).

Running Time: 91 minutes