The 12th annual American Black Film Festival opening night gala took place on August 7, 2008 at the WGA Theater in Los Angeles, California. Among the attendees were Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry, critically acclaimed film director John Singleton, and CEO of Film Life, and founder of the ABFF, Jeff Friday.
*The 12th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF), presented by Allstate, opens tonight in Los Angeles with a special screening of the classic film, “Carmen Jones,” to be introduced by Oscar winner Halle Berry.
“The theme of this year’s festival is Exploring Black Romance and Sexuality in American Cinema, so we thought it would be interesting to take a look back and examine the first film in contemporary cinema to showcase a modern-day love story featuring a sexy African-American duo,” said Jeff Friday, founder/CEO of Film Life, Inc., and the ABFF.
Halle Berry
This year’s festival will feature screenings, workshops, symposiums and panel discussions during the festival’s four days. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend ABFF Signature Events such as: Off The Record: A Conversation with Young Hollywood, sponsored by Target; ABFF Remembers…Waiting to Exhale, sponsored by Blockbuster; Can We Get Some Love?–Exploring Black Romance & Sexuality in American Cinema; and the HBO Short Film Competition which is celebrating its 11th year at the Festival.
Halle Berry with John Singleton
Celebrities confirmed to participate this year include: Evan Ross, Lauren London, Tatiana Ali, Columbus Short, Anthony Mackie; Holly Robinson Peete and Nate Parker (Off The Record); Mos Def, Rockmond Dunbar, Idris Elba, Michael Ealy, John Singleton and Sanaa Lathan (Lincoln Presents: Off the Red Carpet); Malik Yoba, Tina Andrews and Salli Richardson (Black Romance panel); and Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon and Loretta Devine (ABFF Remembers).
Richard T. Jones and Paula Patton will present awards at the ABFF Awards Presentation where Niecy Nash will host. Dennis Haysbert serves as the President of the 2008 Grand Jury and Anthony Mackie is the 2008 ABFF Ambassador.
Top photo: Halle Berry with ABFF founder Jeff Friday and his wife, Nicole Friday Photo credit: WireImage
In the 1999 television movie, “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge,” Halle Berry portrayed the legendary Dorothy Dandridge, who had the title role in the Otto Preminger 1954 classic, “Carmen Jones” the movie version of the groundbreaking 1943 all-black musical based on Bizet’s opera “Carmen.” Here is brief scene from the movie with Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte.
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Photos: 12th Annual American Black Film Festival 2008 Opening Night Gala - Halle Berry
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