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The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has set its lineup of narrative and documentary features for its 28th edition, including Jussie Smollett’s return to acting in “The Lost Holliday,” filmmaker Christine Swanson’s latest drama “Albany Road” and the acclaimed Luther Vandross doc “Never Too Much.”

This year’s festival takes place June 12-16 in Miami Beach, Fla., followed by a virtual segment June 17-24 on ABFF Play. Winners of film festival competition will be announced on June 15, during the “Best of ABFF Awards” hosted by Emmy-nominee Dondré Whitfield.

The 2024 narrative lineup includes “Albany Road,” directed and written by Swanson, starring Renée Elise Goldsberry, Lynn Whitfield and J. Alphonse Nicholson; “The Lost Holliday” directed by, co-written and starring Smollett alongside Vivica A. Fox, produced by Mona Scott-Young; “The Waterboyz,” directed by Coke Daniels and produced by Ben Crump, starring Akil McDowell, Alani “La La” Anthony and Quavo; and “Black Heat,...

American Film Market title “The Young King” struts into the halls of the Loews Hotel with a rarely depicted showbiz character as its lead. “It’s the first movie to feature a drag king as a protagonist,” said its producers Kim Bailey and Isabel Marden of L.A.-based Corporate Witchcraft.

The pic stars Michael Shannon, Kiersey Clemons and Barbie Ferreira, and is the feature debut of Larin Sullivan, who also wrote the screenplay. It’s set in the drag king scene of ‘90s Las Vegas, where Clemons’ character, Jules, aspires to become a drag king. This does not sit well with her estranged father (Shannon), a gambler and part-time children’s party clown, who sees his daughter not only presenting herself as male but also vying for the attentions of his dancer-friend Ronnie (Ferreira).

Speaking of what inspired her to write the story, Sullivan explained: “When I was coming...

Michael Shannon (The Shape of Water), Kiersey Clemons (Justice League) and Barbie Ferreira will star in drag comedy feature The Young King.

Set in the 1990s drag king scene of 1990s Las Vegas, the feature from Mister Smith Entertainment is the directorial debut of Larin Sullivan.

It stars Clemons stars as Jules, an aspiring drag king who comes to Las Vegas to reconnect with her estranged dad Mick (Michael Shannon), a legendary gambler and part-time children’s party clown, and to make her debut performance in the U.S.’s biggest drag king revue. Mick is less than excited to see his daughter ‘Julia’ presenting as masculine, wearing suits and chasing after Ronnie (Barbie Ferreira), a no-nonsense dancer.

Sullivan wrote the script for the film, which Corporate Witchcraft’s Kim Bailey and Isabel Marden are producing alongside Clemons. Songwriter Justin Tranter,...

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Michael Shannon is set to appear in drag comedy drama The Young King alongside Justice League‘s Kiersey Clemons and Euphoria breakout and Nope star Barbie Ferreira.

The film, set in the drag king scene of ’90s Las Vegas, will mark the feature directorial debut of Larin Sullivan (Anatomy: Soul, Dive), who also wrote the script, and has landed Justin Tranter (Happiest Season, A Star Is Born), the Grammy- and Golden Globe-nominated songwriter known for his work with Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and many others, as executive music producer. Tranter will also create original music for the film, which is being produced by Corporate Witchcraft’s Kim Bailey and Isabel Marden, in addition to Clemons.

The Young King will start production in Q1 2023 in Las Vegas. Mister Smith Entertainment is launching international sales and will present the project to buyers at the upcoming AFM,...

Michael Shannon, Kiersey Clemons and Barbie Ferreira are set to star in drag king comedy drama “The Young King.”

Set in ‘90s Las Vegas, the film marks the feature directorial debut of Larin Sullivan (“Anatomy: Soul”), who also wrote the script, and is being produced by Corporate Witchcraft’s Kim Bailey and Isabel Marden, in addition to Clemons.

Grammy- and Golden Globe-nominated songwriter Justin Tranter (“Happiest Season”) will serve as executive music producer and create original music for the film.

The pic will begin production in early 2023 in Las Vegas. Mister Smith Entertainment is launching international sales and will present the project to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market, with WME Independent handling North American rights.

Kiersey Clemons stars as Jules, an aspiring drag king who comes to Las Vegas to reconnect with her estranged dad Mick (Shannon), and to make her debut performance in America’s big-gest drag king revue.

WME Independent is handling North American rights, with Mister Smith launching international sales at AFM.

UK sales agent Mister Smith Entertainment has boarded US filmmaker Larin Sullivan’s feature directorial debut The Young King, starring Michael Shannon, Kiersey Clemons and Barbie Ferreira.

Mister Smith will launch international sales at the American Film Market, with WME Independent handling North American rights.

Set amid the drag king scene of 1990s Las Vegas, the comedy drama sees Clemons star as an aspiring drag king who heads to Las Vegas to reconnect with her estranged dad, played by Shannon, and to make her debut...

“Dope” star Kiersey Clemons, “Euphoria” actress Barbie Ferreira and Oscar nominee Michael Shannon will star in a comedy-drama set among the drag king scene of 1990s Las Vegas for a film called, “The Young King.”

Larin Sullivan wrote the script for the film and will make her directorial debut on “The Young King,” which Mister Smith Entertainment is presenting to international buyers at the upcoming American Film Market. WME Independent is handling North American rights.

Clemons in “The Young King” will star as Jules, an aspiring drag king who comes to Las Vegas to reconnect with her estranged dad Mick (Michael Shannon) and to make her debut performance in America’s biggest drag king revue. Mick, a legendary gambler and part-time children’s party clown, is less than excited to see his daughter “Julia” presenting as masculine, wearing suits and chasing after Ronnie (Barbie Ferreira), the no-nonsense dancer who he regularly frequents.

Co-financing, co-production forum takes place September 11-12.

New projects involving the producer of The Babadook, Game Of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin and Lemon Tree filmmaker Eran Riklis will be front and centre when the first in-person Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (Iff) in three years kicks off at TIFF next month.

Now in its 17th year, the two-day co-financing and co-production market takes place from September 11-12 in association with TIFF and features 42 feature film producer teams – 20 from Canada and 22 from as far afield as Australia, India, Norway, Scotland and the US.

The producers will participate in one-on-one producer...

Co-financing, co-production forum takes place September 11-12.

New projects involving the producer of The Babadook, Game Of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin and Lemon Tree filmmaker Eran Riklis will be front and centre when the first in-person Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (Iff) in three years kicks off at TIFF next month.

Now in its 17th year, the two-day co-financing and co-production market takes place from September 11-12 in association with TIFF and features 42 feature film producer teams – 20 from Canada and 22 from as far afield as Australia, India, Norway, Scotland and the US.

The producers will participate in one-on-one producer...

Nothing puts a smile on a bride’s face like getting a surprise visit from “Say Yes to the Dress” star Randy Fenoli.

In the upcoming ten-episode special season, “Say Yes to The Dress America,” the bridal designer turned host will personally marry 52 couples — one from each state, including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico — in a giant group wedding in New York’s Central Park. Plus, a few special guests will help to pull the whole thing off, including “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro.

You can watch an exclusive sneak peek of the special season above — wherein ten of the featured brides scream and cry happy tears when Fenoli surprises them with the news that they’ll be representing their home state at the big wedding. The show premieres in January 2020 and will culminate with a two-hour wedding special.

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Food Network is ready for wedding season. This week, the network announced their new TV show Wedding Cake Championship will debut in June.Hosted by Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir, the baking series features "six teams of elite wedding cake makers vying for the grand prize and Wedding Cake Champion title." Judges include "baking extraordinaire Kimberly Bailey, Chopped's Maneet Chauhan, and celebrity wedding planner David Tutera"Read More…...