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20-497: The first Acapulco Black Film Festival was held in June 1997. The aim of its founders, Jeff Friday, Byron E. Lewis and Warrington Hudlin , was to create a venue at which members of "Black Hollywood " could meet, network, collaborate, and celebrate black cinema. In an interview, Friday said that one of the main motivations for the festival was that "[a]ll minorities are shut down from the private party we call Hollywood. We are let in one at

40-597: A boycott, they would hold an event of their own to celebrate black cinematic achievements, and thus the festival was born. In its first years, the festival was held in Acapulco, Mexico . The first festival had a turnout of about 600. Over five days, nine independent films were screened and seven awards were given. In 1998, HBO established the HBO Short Film Award to be presented at the ABFF to honor works in

60-583: A brother and two sisters. She is a graduate of Cass Technical High School . She then moved to Atlanta to attend Spelman College . Robinson's career began in Detroit at WGPR-TV (now WWJ-TV ), the first African-American owned television station in the U.S. After that Robinson was a medical reporter and weekend anchor for WISN-TV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin , where her series on women and cancer garnered her an Associated Press award. She also served as host of

80-548: A dramatically increased attendance. The first Black Movie Awards to be televised were in 2005, with a ceremony hosted by Cedric the Entertainer , which was aired on Turner Network Television ; the 2006 ceremony was hosted by Tyler Perry . The Festival stayed in Florida until 2007 when it was moved to Los Angeles, California , in an effort to attract more celebrity attendees and thereby generating more general interest in

100-740: A long-standing interest in martial arts, having received a black belt in jiu-jitsu in 1974 from Soke L'il John Davis. His 1980 documentary short, Capoeira of Brazil , was awarded the Blue Ribbon at the American Film Festival. For several years, Hudlin has curated a series of contemporary and classic martial arts and action movies called Fist and Sword at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York. In 1978, Hudlin founded

120-552: A time, and the masses don't get the information, or don't have access to the decision making, or are not in a position to green-light a project. What we have plan[ned] is more of the same, which is more information, more network opportunities, and to further our mission to provide minorities and people of color with a fair shot at breaking into the Hollywood system." Lewis, CEO of UniWorld Group , and Friday, then-president of UniWorld’s film division, met with Hudlin, then-president of

140-664: Is also a director and producer, and together the Hudlin brothers have produced films including House Party (1990), Bebe's Kids (1992), and Ride (1998). His other brother, Christopher Hudlin, took over their father's insurance business in East St. Louis, IL. In 1978, Hudlin, professor George Cunningham, and businessman Alric Nembhard founded the Black Filmmaker Foundation (BFF), a non-profit media arts organization that supports Black filmmaking. Hudlin has

160-619: Is an American television host, author, producer, philanthropist, television personality and actress. She is perhaps best known for hosting Access Hollywood (1999–2015) and 90 Day Fiancé and its spin-offs (2016–present). Her accolades include an Emmy Award for her live coverage of A Grand Night in Harlem for the Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame. Shaun Robinson was born on July 12, 1962, in Detroit, Michigan . She has

180-598: The Black Filmmakers Foundation (BFF), a non-profit organization that was created to nurture black filmmakers. Hudlin was the president of the BFF. This article about a United States film director born in the 1950s is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about a United States film actor born in the 1950s is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Shaun Robinson Shaun Robinson (born July 12, 1962)

200-520: The Black Filmmakers Foundation, to speak about the Rev. Jesse Jackson ’s call to boycott the Oscars as a result of the lack of Black nominees that year. The Oscars had historically had a reputation for leaving out Black members of cinema; until 1980, only two African-Americans had won academy awards for acting. The founders of the ABFF decided, though, that rather than investing time and energy in supporting

220-407: The HBO Short Film Award, that would survive the festival’s move to Florida in 2002. Early hosts and presenters included Robert Townsend (1997), Denzel Washington (1998), Isaac Hayes (1999 and 2000), and Mari Morrow and Kim Whitley who co-hosted the event in 2001. Aside from awards, the festival in its early incarnations had seminars, actors’ training workshops and meet-and-greets, all with

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240-574: The aim of strengthening the skills and networks of black filmmakers, actors and actresses, and screenwriters. The year 2002 saw many changes for the film festival. Jeff Friday took over execution of the festival, which he renamed the American Black Film Festival (also abbreviated as ABFF). The festival was moved to South Beach, Florida . Since its transformation in 2002, the ABFF has drawn new corporate sponsors (including Grey Goose , Ford , NBC , CBS , and Nickelodeon ) and

260-702: The daily talk show Milwaukee's Talking . Robinson later joined newly formed KEYE-TV in Austin, Texas , in 1995, as a reporter and anchor where her series "Profiles in Power", focusing on women who made an impact in Central Texas, earned Robinson an American Women in Radio and Television award. In 1999, she started working as a weekend anchor and correspondent for Access Hollywood , a job that eventually lasted for 16 years. Before joining Access Hollywood , Robinson

280-402: The festival concludes with the main awards ceremony. Hosts of this ceremony have included: Robert Townsend and Shaun Robinson , Anthony Anderson , and Niecy Nash . The festival has five objectives, or "Programming Initiatives" which are: Numerous Hollywood insiders, including director Antoine Fuqua (Director of ‘’ Training Day ’’) and Charlie Jordan Brookins of MTV Films have endorsed

300-682: The festival, as well as rapper/actor Common who has stated that, "[I]t’s a good vehicle to get out great art that we... want the world to see." Warrington Hudlin Warrington W. Hudlin Jr. (born July 16, 1952) is an American film director, producer, and actor. Hudlin was born in East St. Louis, Illinois , the son of Helen ( née Cason), a teacher, and Warrington W. Hudlin Sr., an insurance executive and teacher. His younger brother, Reginald Hudlin ,

320-460: The festival. While initially successful, the change in venue ultimately resulted in a decline in attendance from members of the actual Black filmmaking community. The festival changed venues once more in 2010, returning to Florida. Typically, there will be an opening ceremony, either featuring a big-name movie or an award presentation. The following days will include screenings of other films, actors’ and directors’ workshops, and symposiums. Each year,

340-487: The genre of short film. HBO thus became a major partner and supporter of the ABFF, along with UniWorld and the Black Filmmakers Foundation. 1999 saw the festival’s first Trailblazer award for significant contributions to Black screen media. This award would remain a consistent part of the festival until 2002. In 2000, the Lincoln Filmmaker’s Trophy was established. This award was one of only two honors, along with

360-814: The role of Kris Kensington on BET ’s Games People Play . In February 2020, Forbes published an article about Robinson as part of the magazine's an ongoing series "The Secrets of Successful Women." Her first book titled Exactly As I Am: Celebrated Women Share Candid Advice with Today’s Girls on What it Takes to Believe in Yourself was published on March 31, 2009, by Ballantine Books . The book of motivational advice and anecdotes presents quotes and stories from role models notable for confidence, determination and generosity. The book inspires girls to find their inner strength, become confident, and believe in themselves. In 1994, Robinson married MLB player Darryl Hamilton , but they later divorced. Robinson has launched

380-724: Was a guest star on a celebrity edition episode of the game show Don't Forget the Lyrics . She played and won $ 10,000 for her selected charity, Girls, Inc. Robinson co-hosted the NBC coverage of the Tournament of Roses Parade with Al Roker in 2011 and 2012. She has provided coverage for the Academy Awards , Golden Globes , Emmy Awards and Grammy Awards . In 2016, Robinson began hosting Tell All specials for TLC ’s 90 Day Fiancé and its spin-offs . In 2019, Robinson landed

400-741: Was a reporter and anchor for WSVN -TV in Miami, Florida . During her tenure there, Robinson anchored coverage of both the Clinton impeachment hearings and of Hurricane George , which devastated the Florida Keys . She traveled to Oklahoma to profile survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing . She filled in for Meredith Vieira on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire for the week of June 8–12, 2009. She has contributed reports to television shows NBC Nightly News and Today . In October 2010, Robinson

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