or


[06/03/15 - 08:21 AM]
HBO to Host Annual HBO(R) Short Film Award & Third Annual Comedy Wings Competition as Part of Film Life's 19th American Black Film Festival June 11-14 in New York City
Following tremendous success in New York City last year, ABFF and HBO will continue the original goal of supporting aspiring actors and filmmakers in urban landscapes such as NYC.

[via press release from HBO]

HBO TO HOST ANNUAL HBO(R) SHORT FILM AWARD & THIRD ANNUAL COMEDY WINGS COMPETITION AS PART OF FILM LIFE'S 19TH AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL JUNE 11-14 IN NEW YORK CITY

New York, NY, June 3, 2015 - HBO, the founding sponsor of Film Life's American Black Film Festival (ABFF), will once again have a major presence at the premier urban event, which will be held for the second consecutive year in New York City on June 11-14, 2015. Following tremendous success in New York City last year, ABFF and HBO will continue the original goal of supporting aspiring actors and filmmakers in urban landscapes such as NYC.

"HBO has a long-standing tradition of discovering, supporting and cultivating new and diverse talents," said Dennis Williams, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility, HBO. "ABFF is the perfect platform to shine the spotlight on the many creative talents within the Black filmmaking community."

This year, HBO will present two key events:

The 18th Annual HBO(R) Short Film Competition

Saturday, June 14th, 8:45 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

AMC Empire 25: 234 West 42nd Street

HBO's prestigious award, which has been part of the ABFF's competitive film program since it was established in 1998, will honor the writing and directing talents of up-and-coming Black filmmakers. This year's event will be hosted by Harlem native and host on Bravo's Fashion Queens, Bevy Smith. A special screening will showcase the five films selected for the final round of competition:

1. BLACK CARD, directed and produced by Pete Chatmon

In a culture requiring an ID card and commitment to the code, an African-American couple is about to find out just how far the boundaries can be pushed. [14:07]

2. CHAINING DAY, written and produced by Chris Bailey, directed by Dominic Haxton

A young boy commits an accidental murder, causing a stir in the community and forcing him to choose between his loyalty to the gang and saving what's left of his innocence by turning himself into the police. Inspired by the true story of Robert 'Yummy' Sandifer, a tragic event that was featured on the cover of Time magazine. [11:02]

3. FIRST DATE, LAST DATE, directed by Derege Harding

A drama about finding your soulmate at the worst possible time - the end of the world. Sara and Michael are on their first date when all hell breaks loose just outside their window, but they manage to suppress their fear as the world crumbles around them. [06:34]

4. JOY, directed by Solomon Onita Jr.

A Nigerian middle-aged woman living in America, struggles to convince her traditionalist husband not to circumcise their ten-year-old daughter. [15:00]

5. STANHOPE, directed and written by Solvan Naim

Stanhope, a teenage inner city kid from Brooklyn, NY gets caught up in a web of violence as a paid assassin. [18:23]

A $10,000 grand prize will be awarded to the top winner during the Best of the ABFF Awards Ceremony on closing night.

The 3rd Annual ABFF Comedy Wings Competition

Friday, June 12th, 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Hilton Grand Ballroom: 1335 Ave of the Americas

Four finalists - Chastity Washington, Dino Vigo, Kareem Green and Mike Merrill - will compete for the ABFF Comedy Wings title. Hosted by HBO, the competition is in partnership with the ABFF to create a pathway to opportunities for rising comedic talent across all mediums: film, television and the web. Serving as the master of ceremony is Rickey Smiley, actor, comedian and host of The Rickey Smiley Show on TV One. The grand prize winner will be awarded $2,500 at the conclusion of the competition.





  [june 2015]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[10/06/25 - 02:01 PM]
Video: NBC Releases Official Trailer, Key Art, and First Look Images for "Happy's Place"
Season two premieres Friday, November 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and will be available the next day on Peacock.

[10/06/25 - 11:29 AM]
Oliver Hudson Hosts New Magnolia Network Series, "Gingerbread Land: The Biggest Little Holiday Competition"
Hosted by Oliver Hudson and executive produced by Chip and Joanna Gaines, top bakers face off in the biggest little gingerbread competition ever imagined.

[10/06/25 - 11:02 AM]
"Downey Wrote That" Set for Oct. 17 Debut on Peacock
The hourlong film explores the sketches, contributions and enduring influence of one of the most impactful comedy writers in the history of "Saturday Night Live."

[10/06/25 - 11:01 AM]
Prime Video Announces "Hazbin Hotel: Live on Broadway" Musical Event Ahead of Season Two Premiere
Hosted by series lead Erika Henningsen, the live concert event will take place on October 20, at New York's historic Majestic Theater.

[10/06/25 - 10:30 AM]
Amazon MGM Studios Has Ordered a Second Season of "Ballard"
The series, starring Maggie Q as Detective Renée Ballard, will continue to bring the work of New York Times best-selling author, Michael Connelly's beloved character to screen exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

[10/06/25 - 10:04 AM]
ESPN Sets Multiple MLB Wild Card Series Viewership Records
ESPN networks averaged 4,625,000 viewers across 11 games, making it the most-watched Wild Card Series ever under the current format.

[10/06/25 - 09:25 AM]
Paramount+ Sets Straight to Series Order for A24's Legal Thriller "Discretion" Starring and Executive Produced by Oscar and Emmy Winner Nicole Kidman and Emmy and Golden Globe Nominee Elle Fanning
Produced by A24, the eight episode drama series will begin production in 2026 and launch on Paramount+.

[10/06/25 - 09:16 AM]
"One Shot with Ed Sheeran" - A Music Experience Directed by Emmy Award Winner Philip Barantini, A Fulwell Entertainment Production, Coming to Netflix November 21
The multi-Grammy Award winner will take viewers on a mesmerizing journey, during one afternoon, in real time, as he travels the streets of New York City, performing his greatest hits, captured in a single take.

[10/06/25 - 09:01 AM]
Cozy Up with Cherished Disney Films When Freeform's "30 Days of Disney" Returns This November
Last November's event reached nearly 25 million viewers.

[10/06/25 - 09:00 AM]
Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman to Headline "New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash," Live from Downtown Nashville, on CBS and Paramount+
Plus: gospel music legend CeCe Winans will bring her powerhouse vocals to the night's festivities alongside the acclaimed Fisk Jubilee Singers, adding a soulful note to the star-studded lineup that Music City locals and visitors can enjoy for free at Bicentennial Park's main stage.

[10/06/25 - 08:42 AM]
Hulu and American High Announces Comedy Film "Never Change!"
In 2005 the graduating class of North Meadows High School had their senior year cut short due to a disastrous tornado that wrecked half the school. Now in their mid 30s they're being forced to return home and finish high school once and for all.

[10/06/25 - 08:21 AM]
Roku Serves Up New Romantic Comedy "Chef's Kiss" Starring Adrienne Bailon-Houghton and Produced by Jaggi Entertainment
"Chef's Kiss" follows Lauren Navarro (Bailon-Houghton), an ambitious American marketing executive tasked with revitalizing a family-run pasta sauce brand.

[10/06/25 - 08:11 AM]
"Sidelined 2: Intercepted" Scores Premiere Date!
This Thanksgiving, Tubi delivers the ultimate doubleheader: the premiere of "Sidelined 2: Intercepted," and a free 4K live stream of the NFC North showdown between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers as part of the NFL's "John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration."

[10/06/25 - 08:07 AM]
Video: Paramount+ Releases Official Trailer and New Images for New Comedy Series "Crutch," Starring Tracy Morgan
Produced by CBS Studios, all eight episodes of the series will be available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ at launch Monday, November 3.

[10/06/25 - 08:06 AM]
Multiple Grammy Award Winner Lenny Kravitz to Star in "Sunday Night Basketball" Show Open, Debuting Feb. 1, 2026, on NBC and Peacock
"I have been a fan of basketball and the NBA since I was a kid," said Kravitz. "I am happy to be invited to take part with NBC Sports and the NBA, and I celebrate their support of sports, music, and culture. I am looking forward to this special moment."