MIAMI – Giving back to the community provides the perfect context for the finale of the 20th anniversary celebration of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in Miami Beach and the Miami area June 1519. As part of Miami Film Month, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau is partnering with the ABFF to host “ABFF Community Day,” a film-screening event on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, at the Lyric Theater, located at 819 NW 2nd Avenue in Historic Overtown.
The host for the festivities is singer and ac- tress Brave Williams (TV One’s R&B Divas, Bad Dad Rehab). Attendees will have an opportunity to view three films from the 2016 ABFF and participate in Q & A sessions with several directors and cast members from the films. ABFF Community Day is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is free to the public.
“At the heart of ABFF, is community. A community of artists, industry executives and movie lovers gathered to inspire and be inspired by one another. Miami has always embraced the ABFF and made us feel at home. I feel it is important to bring talented filmmakers here for the festival, to see the historic Lyric Theater, exposing them to the history of the area, and new audiences to their work,” said Jeff Friday, ABFF CEO and founder.
Over the years, the local community has played a key role in the narrative of the ABFF. Throughout festival week, people of the South Florida community will have the opportunity to see one movie a day for free at the Colony Theatre, located at 1040 Lincoln Rd. in Miami Beach. In addition, 15 students from the community have been selected by the ABFF to be mentored and work with the festival to gain experience and earn community service credits.
“We are excited to welcome the ABFF back home to Miami and The Beaches!” said William D. Talbert, III, C.D.M.E. “The GMCVB is proud to align with ‘ABFF Community Day’ because it celebrates Miami’s rich and diverse neighborhoods. No matter who you are, Community Day allows locals and visitors alike to take part in ABFF programming and share in the celebration of film. The ABFF understands that visitors are looking to connect with the authenticity of our community and we thank the ABFF for creating this platform to celebrate the magic of film making.”
Three ABFF “Spotlight Screenings” will be showcased at the Lyric on Father’s Day: TV One’s Bad Dad Rehab, directed by Carl Seaton, takes us on a journey with four men as they attend rehab for deadbeat dads. Actor/Director Malik Yoba will be on hand to discuss the movie and the Miami Fatherhood Movement.
Service to Man, directed by Aaron Green and Seth Panitch, tells the story of two outsiders from radically different backgrounds who struggle to find a common purpose within the pressure cooker of Nashville’s all black medical school in the 1960s. The third film, Love Under New Management: The Miki Howard Story, is a TV One original film directed by Christine Swanson and stars actress Teyonah Parris that highlights the personal and music career of soul singer Miki Howard. Actor and director Tommy Ford from the Martin show, and a youth representative from Urgent Inc. will also be in attendance to discuss the subject of bullying with their documentary, Through My Lens, scheduled to air on Aspire TV in October during National Anti-Bullying Month..
Free screenings rpen to South Florida Residents at the ABFF:
Thursday, June 16
5:00 PM Angie Tribeca, Courtesy of TBS ***Free Community Screening Preview a brand-new episode of Angie Tribeca, alongside one of the show’s stars, Deon Cole, who will participate in a lively discussion following the screening. Moderator: Lisa Bonner, EBONY magazine Venue: Colony Theatre
Friday, June 17
5:00 PM Stepping Up: Stories of Jazz and Care Giving
Stories of Jazz and Care Giving lovingly opens a door into the lives of four musicians and their families as they struggle to balance the roles of artist, caregiver and patient. Narrated by multi-award-winning actor Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Treme, Selma) and filled with great music, dance and laughter, the film moves from Brooklyn to New Orleans to shed light on the pain, poignancy and joy that is woven into what it means to be a caregiver today. Venue: Colony Theatre
Saturday, June 18
11:00 AM United Shades of America courtesy of CNN Original Series. Join comedian and political gadfly W. Kamau Bell for a sneak peek of this season’s fascinating exploration of our country, and the groups and subcultures that dwell within. Venue: Colony Theatre To purchase passes and tickets for events, panels and screenings at the American Black Film Festival, log on to www.ABFF.com.
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