The hugely influential American Black Film Festival is heading to London
The hugely influential American Black Film Festival (ABFF) will make a timely and historic entrance into the UK next month (September 27-29 2019) staging the first installment of its Global Film Series in London. The event is sponsored by Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE).
ABFF London, will take place at Picturehouse Central in London’s West End, and is an integral part of an international screening series and extension of the American Black Film Festival, the leading event in the US showcasing black filmmakers. The three-day event is in association with Screen Nation, the leading UK platform which has raised the profile of black British and international film and television talent of African Caribbean heritage.
The well-documented recent success of black actors and filmmakers who have collectively reimagined the Hollywood landscape, especially at the box office, provides a suitable backdrop to the London launch. That Black British actors have been an integral part in shaping this exciting new cinematic narrative underlines the importance of this event. The weekend of screenings and panel discussions are aimed at encouraging collaboration and promotion between filmmakers throughout the African Diaspora.
ABFF festival founder and ABFF Ventures CEO, Jeff Friday, who will appear in one of the festival’s panel discussions, commented: “ABFF’s Global Film Series provides a unique platform for black actors and filmmakers internationally to forge new alliances and share their work. The London event provides an important first step in developing these synergies which can help inform the African Diaspora as a whole. We’re very appreciative to Sony Pictures Entertainment for supporting the launch of this series.”
“I am delighted that Sony Pictures Entertainment is partnering with ABFF to support its international expansion,” said Wayne Garvie, President of International Production, Sony Pictures Television, “London is a vibrant, important source of diverse creative talent and a fantastic place to showcase emerging content. We are excited to launch the ABFF Global Film Series in London, which highlights Sony Pictures Entertainment’s commitment to harnessing the power of diversity and promoting inclusivity so that talented people can thrive.”
Screen Nation founder and CEO, Charles Thompson MBE, commented: “We are very excited to be partnering ABFF UK in this timely initiative and proud that the Global Film Series will be kicking off in London. In the past fourteen years Screen Nation Awards has been at the vanguard of recognising black film talent in the UK and we have complemented this by acknowledging the impressive historical gains of US black actors and filmmakers across the Diaspora.”
The programme boasts an impressive line-up with the Gala Premiere screening of action thriller ‘Black and Blue’ starring movie star Naomie Harris alongside Tyrese Gibson. The line-up also features popular US actress Meagan Good’s directorial debut feature (with Tamara LaSeon Bass) of her crowd-funded sisterhood indie film, If Not Now, When. The added bonus for UK audiences is Good (Think Like A Man, Think Like A Man Too, Shazam) will be attending the film’s UK premiere. There is also a preview screening of British feature Farming, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s much-anticipated autobiographical directorial debut, starring Damson Idris, Kate Beckinsale and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.