News

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has set its lineup for the 2020 virtual edition of the fest which runs August 21-30. In addition, IMDb will simulcast The Best of the ABFF Awards Ceremony on its homepage on closing night.

The online fest will bring the energy and magic of the live fest as it spotlights the best of independent Black cinema, studio premieres, conversations and panels, along with virtual networking events. ABFF will also introduce the inaugural John Singleton Award for Best First Feature for a director of African descent.

Of the 90 films featured in this year’s fest, 90% of the submissions are from Black filmmakers, 70% are first time filmmakers and approximately 40% are women.

“The more than 90 films in this year’s festival are the work of a group of powerful and passionate storytellers who reflect the diversity of voices in our industry,” said Jeff Friday, founder and CEO ABFF Ventures.

In September we reported on the casting updates for writer/director R. Shanea Williams’ horror short “Paralysis.” Not wasting any time, Williams shortly thereafter went into production and has now graciously shared with S&A an exclusive first look at the trailer. “Paralysis” stars Nia Fairweather ("The Roe Effect") as an emotionally fragile photographer with a sleep disorder, who moves into a new apartment and fears she may be haunted by a supernatural entity. The film also stars Antoinette Lavecchia (“The Sopranos”), veteran actor Dk Bowser (“30 Rock”), and the always memorable Nedra McClyde, who recently appeared on the new Netflix series “Jessica...

Good news coming out of the horror realm from one of the African-American led production companies already established in the genre. The psychological horror film “Paralysis” has recently completed its casting, presenting a mix of rising stars and familiar faces. Leading the cast is Nia Fairweather, star of the award-winning short film “The Roe Effect,” in addition to her roles in “The Girls of Summer,” and “Oordeel,” the latter of which she wrote and produced. Fairweather takes the lead role of an emotionally fragile woman who moves into a new apartment. As she is plagued by a sleep disorder, she fears that she may be haunted by a supernatural entity. ...