MIA Magazine American Black Film Festival June 2016 | Page 3

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL BB3 Welcome to Miami The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is excited to partner with the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) – 20th Year Anniversary Celebration. The American Black Film Festival is highly regarded as the premier film and entertainment festival in the country dedicated to helping elevate persons of color in the industry. This year’s star studded lineup of film and workshops coupled with celebrity participation is a sure recipe for one of the best festivals in the 20 year history! The theme for GMCVB’s Multicultural initiatives is Engage, its 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 also about the community day of activities scheduled for Downtown Miami at the Historic Lyric Theater in Overtown, which is 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 “305” will exceed your expectations! Yours Truly, Connie W. Kinnard Vice President, Multicultural Tourism & Development Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Connie W. Kinnard ABFF CEO Jeff Friday Offers Plan to Maximize Your Conference Experience By Zach Rinkins Jeff Friday, Founder and CEO of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) In 1997, Jeff Friday, Founder and CEO of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), went to the influential Sundance Film Festival and noticed a striking development. "I saw this community rallying around the idea of independent films. I noticed that what happened at Sundance impacted the greater Hollywood industry," Friday observed. "But, what I didn't see was a lot diversity." He pondered: "Where were the other African-American films, producers, directors and personnel?" Not content on complaining about what he saw, he set out to reverse the trend. After returning home, it took the former advertising maven three weeks to conceptualize the experience that would evolve into the ABFF. "We started up in Acapulco what with about 90 people," he shared. "Each year, we saw the momentum grow." Friday attributes ABFF’s 20-year success to great attendees, sponsors and partners. "I am happy to say our platform has created and/or facilitated opportunities for people who might not have otherwise www.mialifeluxent.com /mialifeluxent #ABFF20 @mialifeluxent @mialifeluxent #ABFFBackToTheBeach more than 50 events and find out which events would benefit me the most." Have Objectives: "I would then break down my personal schedule into 30-minute increments and have an objective for each half-hour. For example, one objective might be to meet Spike Lee after his talk." Be Ready: "I would have my business card, portfolio, headshot, and all my contact information ready. And, I'd be in the halls, lobbies, and outside of sessions, waiting to give it to someone that might be able to help me move forward." Discover more at www.ABFF.com gotten the opportunities," he beamed. Friday offered this advice for attendees seeking to maximize their conference experience: Know the Schedule: "You have to approach ABFF seriously. I would look at the agenda ahead of time. Review the Erica V. Knowles Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, MIA Magazine Kervin L. Clenance Group Publisher, Legacy Magazine Denise St. Patrick-Bell PhD Copy Editor Nicky Samuels Associate Publisher Toni Harrigan Intern Zach Rinkins Editor at Large An independent supplement by MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, LLC. Dexter A. Bridgeman CEO & Founder “Providing News/Information and Connecting Florida’s Black Affluencers and Influencers” Contact: [email protected]