-- FILM LIFE launches “ABFF ON TOUR” to showcase
best films from the American Black Film Festival;
Wal-Mart Voices of Color™ to be presenting sponsor --

New York, NY, September 26, 2006—Film Life, Inc., announces the launch of ABFF ON TOUR, a multicity exhibition of award-winning films from the American Black Film Festival (ABFF).  Presented by Wal-Mart Voices of Color, the tour will visit Atlanta and Chicago on October 21 - 22, and expand to four additional cities in spring 2007.  The tour will give a wide audience the opportunity to see films once limited to the film festival circuit.  Actress Elise Neal (Hustle & Flow, All of Us and The Hughleys) will serve as the national spokesperson.

The mission of ABFF on Tour is to promote the work of independent filmmakers to diverse communities while cultivating a theatrical market for independent Black cinema nationwide.  “For the past decade, Film Life, through the American Black Film Festival, has promoted the work of independent Black filmmakers,” said Jeff Friday, founder, ABFF, and president and CEO, Film Life, Inc.

“Wal-Mart is proud to play a positive role in the continued storytelling of the African American experience,” said John Fleming, CMO Marketing and Consumer Communications for Wal-Mart Stores Division. “We hope to inspire, motivate and educate communities nationwide by highlighting filmmakers and works that depict a wide scope of the AfricanAmerican experience and lifestyle.”

The tour will feature the highly acclaimed films My Brother, directed by Anthony Lover and starring Vanessa L. Williams and Nashawn Kearse; Miles From Home, directed by Ty Hodges, and starring Ty Hodges and Meagan Good; Traci Townsend, directed by Craig Ross, Jr., and starring Richard T. Jones, Jazmin Lewis, Mari Marrow and Victor Williams; Doomstown, directed by Sudz Sutherland and starring K.C. Collins and Mark Taylor; Gettin’ Grown, directed by Aaron Greer and starring Isaiah Matthew; and the award-winning documentary, If I Die Tonight, directed by Seyi.  Select screenings will be followed by a Q&A session with the film’s director or a cast member.

Screenings will be held at Atlanta’s AMC Phipps Plaza 14 and Chicago’s AMC River East 21.

In addition to Wal-Mart as the presenting sponsor, Blockbuster will serve as the official sponsor of ABFF on Tour.  National media sponsors include AOL Black Voices, Vibe magazine and EURweb. AMC Theatres is the tour’s national theatre partner.

The ABFF, founded in 1997, is a five-day retreat and international film market dedicated to strengthening the Black film community.  Since its inception, the ABFF has screened more than 500 films and has rewarded and redefined artistic excellence in independent filmmaking. The festival attracts 3,000 film enthusiasts annually including a unique mix of celebrities, industry executives, media, corporate sponsors and aspiring artists.

Film Life, Inc., is a New York-based marketing, media and production company. Founded in 2002 by Jeff Friday, the company’s mission is to spearhead the global distribution of quality Black films and be the leading American brand offering Black movies, television and related entertainment content.  Its signature properties include the American Black Film Festival and the Black Movie Awards.

Wal-Mart, in partnership with Time Warner’s Global Marketing group, has created the Voices of Color™ Film Series designed to support African American filmmaking and highlight the range and depth of the African American experience. It is a unique program that aims to give “voice” to a more positive depiction of African American images via a wide range of quality programming for the whole family.   For screening times and film information, visit www.abff.com.  

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