San Francisco Black Film Festival (501c3 Organization) P.O. Box 15490 San Francisco, CA 94115 For Immediate Release Media Contact: June 13, 2011 Jackie Wright, 415 525 0410 jackiewright@wrightnow.biz
Mayor Ed Lee Congratulates
the San Francisco Black Film Festival
As Event Kickoffs with
A Red Carpet Ceremony @Yoshi's San Francisco, Friday,June 17, 5-7pm.
Opening Films Include "Things Fall Apart" directed by Mario Van Peebles Starring "50 Cent," Straight Outta Hunter's Point 2 by Kevin Epps & "10-10 Gotta Win" by Jacquie Taliaferro. San Francisco-The San Francisco Black Film Festival continues in its 13th iteration with two Mario Van Peebles Films, "Things Fall Apart" and "Black, White and Blues."  Co-directors, Kali Ray, son of founder, the late Ave Montague and Katera Crossley, Ray's life partner, continue the vision to provide a platform for both emerging and established artists in the film industry that develop work for and about the African Diaspora. "The Be A Star Where You Are" Red Carpet Ceremony at Yoshi's San Francisco, June 17, 5-7 p.m. is an invitation to Bay Area, Hollywood and International Luminaries to walk the Red Carpet and enjoy the evening that will include the opening films at the Lumiere Theatre, and entertainment with Opera Diva Hope Briggs. Click the red carpet icon at www.sfbff.org for ticket information to find out about the valued-added all in one ticket to the Red Carpet event and festival pass.
"Congratulations to the San Francisco Black Film Festival as it provides a platform for
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San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee
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known and accomplished filmmakers and actors and also emerging artists," said Mayor Edwin Lee. "The festival is significant also because it gives people from around the world an opportunity to visit our multicultural City helping to stimulate our City's film industry." "We appreciate the Mayor's encouragement. Also, we're inviting all celebrities that will be in San Francisco on Friday, June 17 to join us for the Red Carpet promenade, " said Kali Ray, Co-director, San Francisco Black Film Festival. "We've contacted publicists, Sag-Aftra, film commissions and made personal requests to celebrities. For instance, it would be great if Yossou N'Dour who's performing at the Paramount can stop through. We'd love to introduce him to fLO, an emerging artist who will be performing Saturday night prior to the film "Black, White and Blues." fLO is of Senegalese descent and she has been inspired by his work," added Ray. The San Francisco Black Film Festival films will be screened at various venues including the Lumiere Theatre, Jazz Heritage Center (next to Yoshi's. The Bill Graham Exhibit at the Jazz Heritage Center's Lush Life Gallery is an added treat for festival attendees to experience), Delancey Street, and the African American Arts and Cultural Center. Other highlights of the San Francisco Black Film Festival Include: Invitation Only Pre-Festival Screening of "Fathers of the Sport," a film by Xavier Mitchell presented by  | |
Shabaka Henley recipient of 2007 SFBFF Pioneer Award Screens his film "90404 Changing" produced with his wife Paula Sahagun & directed by Michael W. Barnard
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LaHitz Media and Wright Enterprises 6 pm Thursday at Dolby Laboratories; Performances by Opera Diva Hope Briggs and emerging artists fLO and Keldamuzik; "My Dad Is My Hero" Father's Day Contest (entries accepted through June 15); Recognition of Bay Area families in the entertainment industry including Michael Lange, Ted Lange and Jerri Lange, Terri J. Vaughn and Velma Landers, and Shabaka Henleyand Paulina Sahagun, whose film "90404 Changing" directed by Michael Barnard (about the redevelopment of Santa Monica and the dynamic relationship between Blacks and Latino) will be screened during the festival.  | |
Mario Van Peebles Directs Michael Clarke Duncan in "Black, Whites and Blues."
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It is interesting to note that as the San Francisco Black Film Festival concludes on "Father's Day," the work of a strong father-son Bay Area connection in Mario Van Peebles and Melvin Van Peebles ( a former MUNI cable car operator) was an integral part of the festival. Celebrities in the San Francisco Bay Area during the "Be A Star Where You Are" Red Carpet Ceremony at Yoshi's 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 17 can join the promenade by emailing at jackiewright@wrightnow.biz with subject: "Red Carpet Confirmation." The San Francisco Black Film Festival thanks its sponsors for helping to make the festival a success. Sponsors include: San Francisco Grants for the Arts, The Jazz Heritage Center, Rainbow Grocery, Lennar Urban, PG&E, Ray-Lax-Art-Org, Intersection for the Arts, San Francisco Juneteenth Festival, San Francisco Tobacco Free Project, Yoshi's San Francisco, 1300 Restaurant, KBLX, KPOO, LaHitz Media and Wright Enterprises. There is still time for sponsorship opportunities. Find out more by contacting Jackie Wright at 415 525 0410 or jackiewright@wrightnow.biz.
### Related Stories of Interest: LaHitz Media & W.E. Present SF Black Film Festival's Pre-Festival Screening Presented by LaHitz Media & Wright Enterprises:San Francisco Black Film Festival Pre-Festival Screening of "Fathers of the Sport" is @ Dolby Laboratories 100 Potrero San Francisco, CA, 94141,June 16, 2011,6-9 p.m. Invited Guests include Retired and Current Sports Celebrities, College Sports Teams & Youth Groups. Free INVITATION ONLY! Limited Seating! RSVP by June 14, 2011 to lahitzdigitaltv@gmail.com.  | |
Dr. Brintall (Ray Liotta) talks with star athlete patient Deon
(Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson III) in "Things Fall Apart" directed by Mario Van Peebles. Jackson lost 50 pounds to play the role.
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50 Cent, Mario Van Peebles, Lynn Whitfield and Ray Liotta Grace the San Francisco Black Film Festival Stars line up for the San Francisco Film Festival! Curtis (50 Cent) Jackson III, Mario Van Peebles, Ray Liotta,Lynn Whitfield, Randall Emmett, Morgan Simpson,George Richard, Michael Clarke Duncan, Kiele Sanchez, Taryn Manning, Tom Skerrit, Melvin Van Peebles, Cedric Sanders, Shabaka Henley grace the screen at the San Francisco Black Film Festival, June 17-19!  | |
Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson poses with Cedric Sanders of "Social Networking" fame who plays his brother in "Things Fall Apart."
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