Latest news with #ABFF
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
KZN's locally shot Treasure Hunt selected for screening at prestigious US film festival
A locally shot movie, Treasure Hunt has been selected to be screened at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in Miami Beach, Florida. Image: Supplied KwaZulu-Natal film company's debut feature film, Treasure Hunt, has been selected for screening at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in Miami Beach, Florida. KZN's CAP Studios, a pioneering film company based in Embo in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, said it was excited about the recognition. The screening will take place on June 14 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida. The film company said the ABFF is a prestigious Academy Award-qualifying festival that celebrates Black talent in film and television. 'The American Black Film Festival is an incredible platform for us to share our story with a new audience,' CAP Studios founder Chim Onyebilanma said. Onyebilanma, who wrote and directed Treasure Hunt, confirmed that he will be attending the movie premiere in Miami, saying, 'My tickets and visa are ready!' Veteran actor Zane Meas on the set of Treasure Hunt which has been selected to be screened at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in Miami Beach, Florida. Image: Supplied He said the selection was testament to the hard work and dedication of their entire team and he mentioned the contribution of Happiness Mpase, the associate producer. "We are proud to be representing South Africa and our community on the global stage.' The film is about an ex-con who finds stolen jewellery—and the criminals who want it back. But beneath the crime story lies a powerful message about choices, redemption, and second chances. The movie was also filmed in the heart of the Valley of a Thousand Hills and the company said the locals offered their talents, homes and cars to make it happen. Veteran actor and broadcaster Zane Meas, who stars in the film, praised its message. 'Treasure Hunt is a movie about making the right choices in life and a movie I believe that people would love,' he said. The production brought together a cast of renowned South African actors including Meas, Moopi Mothibeli, Muzi Mthabela, Trevor Gumbi and Samukele Mkhize. They collaborated with young local talent from Embo, highlighting the rich potential within underrepresented communities. Adding international expertise to the film's production was celebrated cinematographer Isaac Alongi, who served as Director of Photography. The executive producers included Onyebilanma, Frances Dlongolo and Kike Adeniyi. Onyebilanma added that lead actors Moopi Mothibeli and Melissa Mkhize, who hails from the Embo community, are also hoping to join him at the festival, pending finalisation of funding.
TimesLIVE
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
South African filmmakers shine on the global stage
South Africa's storytelling power took the spotlight on Miami Beach as the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), in partnership with NICE CROWD, proudly announced the winners of the inaugural 'South African Stories' Short Film Showcase — a new program introduced for the 29th edition of the festival. This landmark initiative will place five emerging South African filmmakers on an international platform in June, showcasing the richness, authenticity and global relevance of Mzansi's creative voice. Audiences are taken on deeply personal and culturally resonant journeys — and the response has been electric. The winners truly reflect the extraordinary potential and voice of South African cinema. Jeff Friday, ABFF founder and CEO of NICE said: 'We were blown away by the quality, originality and emotional power of the submissions we received from South Africa this year.' Meet the Visionaries Behind the Screen: Ayanda Halimana, whose short film Sent is making waves, is a prolific writer, producer and commissioning editor with nearly two decades in South Africa's film and television industry. Her career has spanned SABC, Mzansi Magic, and NFVF training initiatives, now culminating in international recognition. Director Kopedi Aphane and writer Nthabiseng Letsoela stunned audiences with the short story Breaking Free, a gripping story of domestic survival and emotional rebirth. Aphane's bold directorial style is rooted in Soweto's culture, while Letsoela makes her screenwriting debut with this poignant narrative. Donna Sibande, creator of the short story Love Through The Lens, continues to push boundaries with award-winning stories that capture the soul of South Africa. Her previous work has earned accolades at both local and international film festivals. Chris Djuma, a published playwright and actor-turned-director, earned top honours for the short story Rearview. His unique vision, honed at the Market Theatre Laboratory and the NFVF Youth Filmmaker Program, is now being celebrated globally. Nondumiso Buthelezi-Masache, producer and director of the short story Umhlaba Wokhokho, is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented narratives. Her film, steeped in history and land justice, echoes the soul of rural South Africa. South African Stories is more than a film showcase — it's a cultural bridge, connecting African and African-American creatives while reaffirming that our stories matter everywhere. The ABFF continues its online screenings via ABFF PLAY from June 16-24, inviting global audiences to experience the bold, brave and beautiful visions of South Africa's rising stars. Founded by Jeff Friday in 1997, ABFF is the leading festival celebrating black film and television. Renowned for discovering and promoting black talent, ABFF has been a launch pad for many of today's most celebrated artists and storytellers.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor Thanks Keke Palmer for ‘Making Me Famous,' Aaron Pierre Breaks Out Viral ‘Mufasa' Dance Moves and More Inside ABFF Honors
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor enjoyed a surprise early birthday celebration at the 2025 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors ceremony on Monday night — complete with a cake, sparkling candles and the well-heeled crowd singing her 'Happy Birthday' (the Stevie Wonder version, of course). Ellis-Taylor was among the special honorees at the awards show, feted not just for turning another year older, but for delivering another year full of dazzling performances, including in the best picture Oscar-nominated film 'Nickel Boys.' Though the spotlight was on Elllis-Taylor, she seemed less interested in accepting her well-deserved flowers than in doling them out to her fellow honorees. More from Variety Taraji P. Henson Urges Black Creatives to 'Keep Telling Your Truth, Because It's All We Have' ABFF Honors to Salute Taraji P. Henson, Jeffrey Wright, Garrett Morris and Mara Brock Akil Kerry Washington Pays Tribute to Whitney Houston, Diahann Carroll at ABFF Honors 'Keke Palmer made me famous,' Ellis-Taylor declared as she took the stage at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills to accept ABFF's Excellence in the Arts trophy from her 'Origin' director Ava DuVernay. A dozen years ago, Ellis-Taylor and Palmer — who was honored with the Renaissance Award for her varied career accomplishments thus far — co-starred in the Lifetime TV movie 'Abducted: The Carlina White Story.' According to Ellis-Taylor, Palmer and her mother Sharon Palmer fought to ensure that she had the opportunity to do meaty work that reached a wide audience. 'And I've been chasing that feeling ever since,' Ellis-Taylor said. 'Because it was the first time I felt the line between who I was and who I played merged.' Ellis-Taylor also saluted Marla Gibbs, the evening's Hollywood Legacy award honoree, explaining that one cannot be honored 'alongside' an icon like 'The Jeffersons' and '227' alum, 'because [she] will always be in the distance — unreachable, unmatched. She was my understanding of what it was to be a comedian. They had Carol Burnett. We had Marla Gibbs.' Then, she offered words of affirmation to Rising Star award winner Aaron Pierre, explaining that she only knew him by rumor, but that what she'd heard 'portends a world-changer.' She saved her final praise for Giancarlo Esposito, who picked up the evening's other Excellence in the Arts prize. 'I was born an agitator, probably. But there was no definition to it, until I saw you. I was given words to what was churning inside of me,' Ellis-Taylor said of watching Esposito in Spike Lee's 'Do the Right Thing.' His insightful and inciting quote ('How come you ain't got no brothers on that wall?') inspired her activism moving forward, as the film opened her eyes to the structural inequities that need to be addressed in the fight for equality. 'This is why these messages of 'another seat at the table' is deaf to me. I don't want to hear that. I'm not interested at no seat at no table. I don't want the seat or the table. I want the structure. I want the land that the structure belongs,' Ellis-Taylor preached. 'Why? Because it's mine. … Thank you ABFF, because you are encouraging me to tear down that wall, to tear down that house and reclaim the land.' Ellis-Taylor's rousing speech might've been the most potent of a night that felt more church revival than awards show. In fact, the black tie gala kicked off with the gospel choir from Victory Bible Church in Pasadena, Calif., singing a rousing rendition of 'The Best Is Yet to Come,' by Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers, to honor the historically Black communities affected by the L.A. wildfires. The show, hosted by comedian Zainab Johnson, was packed with sincere moments, like Anthony Mackie sharing the advice Esposito gave him, a kid fresh off the boat from New Orleans, about how to be a successful working actor, decades before they were Marvel co-stars; or Palmer discussing the importance of creators owning their rightful share of their content; or a 93-year-old Gibbs saying that she's not done yet, and sharing her mantra: 'Long as you're still here and still breathing, you've got another shot.' But the event was far from a somber affair. Case in point, Pierre was played onto the stage to accept his award with the viral anthem, 'Aaron. Pierre. That's Mufasaaaa,' which was created by the crew of 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' for his 'Spirit Tunnel' entrance last December. In on the joke, Pierre gave the people what they wanted and gamely did his little dance — suavely two-stepping, spinning and high-fiving the trophy presenter, while the crowd clapped and sang along. Scroll on for a look inside the ceremony:
