IBFF Nashville

IBFFN ON THE MOVE

2008 IBFFN
PREMIERE FILM PREMIERES ON BET

On
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 Black Entertainment Television (BET) is set to
air the World Cable Broadcast Premiere of One Village Entertainment’s
feature film, Love for Sale.

One Village Ent. screened this film as the opening night’s main event for
the 2008 International Black Film Festival in Nashville. With nearly 2000
moviegoers in attendance during last years festival.

The film, which features Clifton Powell, Jackie Long, Jason Weaver,
Melyssa Ford and R&B sensation Mya, made its original premiere in Nashville
at the 2008 International Black Film Festival.

Focusing its attention on love life and finding that right person, Love
for Sale takes viewers on a ride filled laughter, life lessons and of
course, love.

The World Premiere will air on the BET network on Wednesday May 13 at
7:30p.m. EST/ 6:30p.m. CST and Saturday. May 16 at 10p.m. EST/ 9p.m. CST.

IBFFN
SPECIAL OFFERS

COMING
SOON! Don’t miss your chance at great deals on festival passes and other
festival merchandise. Keep an eye out for this special section.

IBFFN IN THE NEWS

COMING
SOON! Don’t miss IBFFN in the news. Check this section frequently for
when and where.

FEATURE FILM SPOTLIGHTS

IBFF
NASHVILLE SCREENS 2009 NAACP IMAGE AWARD NOMINATED DOCUMENTARY

As part
of its recognition of this past Black History Month, the International
Black Film Festival of Nashville was proud to present the 2009 NAACP
Image Award Nominee for Best Documentary, “Dare Not Walk Alone”
with Q&A to follow with director Jeremy Dean.

Described as a powerful and important film by Orlando Weekly, Dare Not
Walk Alone uncovers the untold story of the crisis in America’s Oldest
City that broke a congressional stalemate and led to the signing of the
Civil Right Act of 1964. With rarely seen news footage and revealing
interviews, Dare Not Walk Alone tells of the St. Augustine movement that
led to this historic legislation. Hailed as a civil rights film for the
modern age and a triumph of independent filmmaking, Dare Not Walk Alone
leaves one with a feeling of reconciliation and hope as well as a
challenge to move forward. To view a trailer, click
here.

2008 IBFFN RECAP

2008 IBFFN
GIVES STELLAR PERFORMANCE

Nearly 2,000 filmmakers, industry
executives, and movie goers from around the world participated in the
2008 International Black Film Festival of Nashville, which took place
October 15 – 19.

With workshops conducted by some of the
film industry’s best, celebrity appearances and screenings of some of the
newest independent, international and feature films, the festival brought
a taste of Hollywood to the doorstep of the South.

“Nashville is a landmark of
artistry in the world community,” said famous choreographer, actress,
dancer and IBFFN Honorary Chairperson, Debbie Allen. “The black
story in America is the American story. The films that can come out of
this community, this southern part of the world, will much differ from
those we have seen. When you get films from all over the world, you get a
perspective of who you are in the world.”

“We need more filmmakers, more
storytellers and they need more opportunities to learn their technique,
to understand what it is to pitch, to learn about new technologies. And
this community has a wealth of creativity that is still yet to be
harvested.”

The festival was host to several
celebrity guests and spectacular events. The week kicked off with a
spectacular opening ceremony on the rooftop of the fabulous Icon in the Gulch
that offered a breathtaking view of the Nashville skyline. News Channel 5
Anchor and Festival Ambassador, Vicki Yates set the tone at the opening
with a welcome to all of our guests from around the globe and a summary
of the week’s events.

With the stage set and events in full
swing, 2008 was also marked as the year innovation. While the IBFFN is
all about the motion picture medium, this year’s festivities took the aim
of showcasing Nashville talent a little further.

Because of the overwhelming success of
the Tyler Perry model in taking his material from the stage to the big
screen, IBFFN decided to test the waters and add its newest genre, the
stage play to the film festival line-up.

“A Mother’s Prayer”, written,
directed and performed by the up-and-coming young theater group Alvin
Moore Entertainment “wowed” the audience with awesome
performances, live music, powerful singing and a inspirational message
that took them on a journey from tears to laughter.

“Filmmakers should participate in
film festivals like IBFFN because it allows you to be in the presence of
those who are doing the same thing you are doing and to come in contact
with those who have gone on before you,” said Robert Poole,
filmmaker.

THE STARS COME OUT
FOR IBFFN 2008

Actor
Tyler Williams, young star of “Everybody Hates Chris” lit up
the stage with a surprise live performance displaying his free-style
rhyming skills with local Lovenoise-affiliated artists “Biscuits and
Gray” as well as participated in an informative panel for parents
and kids on breaking into the business.

Actress
Tasha Smith of Tyler Perry’s hit movies “Why Did I Get Married”
and “Daddy’s Little Girls”, conducted an unforgettable 2-day
Actors Bootcamp where aspiring actors learned the basics of method acting
and injecting emotion into their craft.

Actor
Boris Kodjoe, best known for his work Soul Food and Madea’s Family
Reunion hosted the highly anticipated IBFFN official celebrity party
where famed stage and screen actress Sheryl Lee Ralph also made an
appearance.

The
celebrities were not the only “stars” participating in this
year’s festival. Industry executives from the music and film arena also
captured the spotlight and were a hit amongst festival attendees.
Boasting a line that included Commissioner Gordon, Grammy-nominated music
producer, who has worked with likes of Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys, Brett
Dismuke, VP of Acquisitions and Urban Programming for One Village
Entertainment, Connie Cribbs Knight, VP of Home Entertainment and Content
Acquisitions for BET, Angela Northington, VP of Acquisitions and
Production representing Code Black Entertainment, Thomas Cain, Senior
Director, Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI, and many more, it is clear
the stars and those who helped make them all blessed Music City.

“It’s
important for the local and national community to support this festival
because it encourages the local filmmaker and those who have traveled
here from across the country and the world,” said Sonya Steele, Chair of
the Committee of Black Writers of the Screen Writers Guild of America,
West. “I am sure that it is going to grow every year. This festival is
off to a fantastic start and this year has just been excellent.”

Hal
“Corky” Kessler, Entertainment Lawyer and consultant to the
Sundance Film Festival feels that the IBFFN will continue to improve.
“The International Black Film Festival of Nashville is growing at a
tremendous rate and is poised to obtain the visibility and credibility of
the Sundance Film Festival, one of the greatest film festivals in the
world,” Kessler said.

FILMMAKER TIPS:
Industry insider gives the scoop on making the perfect pitch

For filmmakers looking to get
their work or film concept off the ground for the 2009 International
Black Film Festival in Nashville, there are several things one must
accomplish first.

Aside from having a sure-fire concept and script in hand, there are also
other elements needed to take the work from the drawing board to the big
screen.

To aid in making sure that all the right moves are made for potential
participants, movie executive, Brett Dismuke has supplied a short list of
tips to making the perfect pitch for interested filmmakers.

Brett Dismuke says:

1. Have a plan whenever you pitch your project. The worst thing you can
do is be unprepared.

2. You should know exactly how you would like to execute your
project–this includes necessary budget, location and possible cast.

3. Be succinct! If you cannot pitch your project within 90 seconds, it
probably will never be sold.

4. Know the genre of your project. It is impossible for your film to be
everything. Inspirational, Action Dramedy is not a real genre.

5. In order to achieve the above goals, you must do your research.
Educate yourself on the creative and business side of filmmaking.

According to Dismuke, applying the aforementioned guidelines in addition
to an already interesting and original concept will almost guarantee that
the work will get a second look.