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
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@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]