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AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL
WEDNESDAY, JUN 14, 2017
Editor’s Note The 2017 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) comes at a pivotal time. This last year has arguably been the best ever for black filmmaking. We watched intently as “Chiron,” a kid from Liberty City realizing his sexuality, evolved into manhood in the Oscar-winning Moonlight. We cringed as “Troy Maxon,” a Pittsburgh garbage collector in the 1950s, crushed his son’s college dreams—and his spirit—in Fences. And we cheered as three brilliant African-American women at NASA calculated flight trajectories in Hidden Figures. All are memorable performances. Now, get ready for the latest wave of black films—including several world premieres—at the 21st annual ABFF. But first, where are my manners?
Let me welcome festival-goers and visitors to South Florida as you embark on what will ultimately be one of the best times of your life. Exclusive screenings. Beautiful beaches. Tropical weather. Nonstop nightlife. What more could you ask for? As the official magazine of the ABFF, this issue of MIA will serve as a quick guide to the festival as well as a source of places to go and things to do around town. Expect the film festival to open and close with a bang. The opening night film is the World Premiere of Girls Trip, starring Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Tiffany Haddish and Regina Hall, this year’s ABFF Ambassador, who talked exclusively to MIA Magazine (see page 8).
Wrapping up the week is the much anticipated premiere of All Eyez on Me, as actor Demetrius Shipp Jr. becomes Tupac. Twenty-one years ago, ABFF founder Jeff Friday struggled to attract quality black films for his festival. Now he boasts nearly a dozen World Premieres followed by a slew of feature-length and short films as well as television projects. Creative content is being made. The bar has been raised. Now let’s head to the theaters and support black films!
Russell Motley Editor-in-Chief MIA Magazine
Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
GMCVB Welcome The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is excited to partner once again with the 21st Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF)! The American Black Film Festival is highly regarded as the premier film and entertainment conference in the country dedicated to helping elevate persons of color in the industry and is definitely one of Miami’s premier events! The theme for GMCVB’s Multicultural initiatives is Engage, Embrace and Rediscover Miami’s Multicultural Jewels as it is important that all of Miami is showcased to our visitors and convention delegates. We are excited about the festivities on Miami Beach and super excited about the community day of activities scheduled at the Little Haiti Cultural Center & Marketplace which will be open to the general community to participate. Thanks to all of the visitors that decided to attend ABFF in Miami this week!! It is our hope that the hospitality shown while here in the city of Sun, Fun and Culture will exceed your expectations! In addition to the ABFF hashtags of #ABFF2017 #WeAreABFF, please also tag Miami in your social media post by using #FoundinMiami #MulticulturalMiami #MiamiFilmMonth
Yours Truly, Connie W. Kinnard Vice President, Multicultural Tourism & Development Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau