Hollywood Black Film Festival facts for kids
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founded by | Tanya Kersey |
| Film titles | 2 Fast 2 Furious, The Hurricane |
| Artistic director | Tanya Kersey |
| Language | international |
The Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) is a special event held every year in Los Angeles, California. It lasts for six days. People sometimes call it the "Black Sundance" because it's a very important film festival.
The main goal of the HBFF is to help black filmmakers. It gives new and experienced movie professionals a chance to show their work. This helps their films get noticed by the film industry, the news, and the public. Anyone can attend the festival and watch the movies.
Some famous films shown at the festival include Bastards of the Party (a documentary from 2006) and 2 Fast 2 Furious. Other well-known movies are The Hurricane, starring Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, and The Caveman's Valentine with Samuel L. Jackson. Dancing In September was also featured.
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Why Was the Festival Started?
The Hollywood Black Film Festival was created in 1998. Its founder and leader is Tanya Kersey. She started the festival to help black filmmakers grow their careers. The festival does this by showing their films to the public and holding competitions.
The festival wants to help discover new independent films and filmmakers. It brings their work to the attention of movie companies, the media, and regular people. This helps new talent get a start in the film world.
Who Attends the Festival?
Many famous actors and people from the film industry come to the HBFF. This includes Academy Award winners like Forest Whitaker and Sidney Poitier. Other well-known attendees are directors John Singleton and Spike Lee.
You might also see stars like Cedric The Entertainer, Ice-T, and Anthony Anderson. Actresses like Sanaa Lathan, Loretta Devine, and Vanessa Williams have also attended. Their presence helps make the festival exciting and important.
What Happens at the Festival?
Besides showing movies, the festival has something called the Infotainment Conference. This conference offers many helpful classes and talks. These sessions cover topics like how to make a film, how to sell it, and how to write for TV and movies. There are also special programs for actors.
Each year, over 100 top film and TV experts take part. These include directors, producers, writers, and agents. They share their knowledge in panel discussions and workshops.
"A Conversation With…"
A special part of the Infotainment Conference is "A Conversation With…". This is where famous people from the film industry have open talks. Past guests include directors John Singleton (who directed "2 Fast 2 Furious" and "Boyz N The Hood") and George Tillman. These talks are a great way to learn from the best.
Pitch Your Movie Idea
The HBFF Pitchathon is a unique event for filmmakers and storytellers. It's a chance to sell their ideas for movies, stories, or books to Hollywood buyers. Participants get to "pitch" their ideas to important people in the industry. These include directors, producers, and people who decide which projects get made.
These experts listen to the ideas and give feedback. They help participants understand if their story has a good chance of becoming a successful movie.
Awards and Recognition
The Hollywood Black Film Festival gives out awards to the best films and screenplays. These are called the HBFF Filmmaker & Storyteller Awards. A jury of experts chooses the winners.
Films shown at the festival compete for several awards:
- Best Feature (a full-length movie)
- Best Documentary (a film about real events)
- Best Short (a short movie)
- Best Student Film (a film made by a student)
- HBFF Audience Choice Award (chosen by the people who watch the movies)
There is also a separate competition for writers called the HBFF Storyteller Competition. This award celebrates excellent screenwriting. The festival ends with the announcement of the Audience Choice Award, which is a favorite among attendees.
