Actress Kimberly Elise to Host Benefit Screening of Her Latest Movie, 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman' to Kick-Off Sixth Annual FAAAF/Black Reel Awards Weekend

Actress Kimberly Elise to Host Benefit Screening of Her Latest Movie, 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman' to Kick-Off Sixth Annual FAAAF/Black Reel Awards Weekend

Sixth Annual Black Reel Awards Gala to be held Sat., Feb. 19 at Washington, DC's La Maison Francaise

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Actress and Black Reel Award nominee, Kimberly Elise ("Manchurian Candidate," "Woman Thou Art Loosed," "John Q") will kick-off the Sixth Annual FAAAF/Black Reel Awards presented by JetBlue Airways. Elise will host a benefit screening of her new movie, Lions Gate Films' "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," Friday, February 18, 2005 at 7:00pm/ET at the Avalon Theatre (5612 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20015). All proceeds will benefit the Foundation for the Advancement of African-Americans in Film (FAAAF).

"We are excited to have Lions Gate Films on board for the 2005 Black Reel Awards. We are equally pleased to have Kimberly Elise on hand as a special guest for our inaugural movie screening. This year's event marks the start of great things to come for a new-and-improved Black Reel Awards weekend with the support of sponsors JetBlue Airways and Lions Gate Films," said Tim Gordon, FAAAF Executive Director and FAAAF/Black Reel Awards Founder.

Filled with a mix of comedy and drama, "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," is based on the immensely popular play of the same name written by Tyler Perry. Director Darren Grant brings Perry's vision to the screen by intricately weaving together a mix of drama and comedy to tell the universal experience of broken hearts, redemption, forgiveness, recovery, love, family and faith as revealed through a cast of colorful and sometimes familiar characters. Rounding out the cast of this film are Steve Harris ("The Practice"), Shemar Moore ("The Young and The Restless"), award winning actress Cicely Tyson and actor/producer/playwright, Tyler Perry. "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" opens nationwide on February 25, 2005.

The 6th Annual FAAAF/Black Reel Awards Gala presented by JetBlue Airways, will be held Saturday, February 19, 2005 at La Maison Francaise (The French Embassy) in Washington, DC. This year's theme, "Celebrating 100 Years of African-Americans in Film," will pay tribute to the stellar achievements of African-Americans in cinema over the last century.

Founded in 2000, The FAAAF/Black Reel Awards recognize and celebrate the achievements of African-Americans in feature, independent and television films from their character portrayals onscreen, to their technical artistry behind the scenes. The FAAAF/Black Reel Awards benefit The Foundation for the Advancement of African Americans in Film (FAAAF), a non-profit arts organization whose mission is to provide educational opportunities to the next generation of minority film executives. Through the FAAAF's "Producer's Institute," scholarships are awarded to graduate students pursuing a business career in the movie and television industry.

For a complete list of nominations, ticketing and/or additional information on FAAAF and the Black Reel Awards, you may contact the FAAAF offices at 202-263-1937 or visit the website at: http://www.faaaf.org/.

African-Americans in Film


Source: The Black Reel Awards and The Foundation for the Advancement of

CONTACT: Sidney Cooper of The Black Reel Awards and The Foundation for
the Advancement of African-Americans in Film, Office: +1-202-263-1939,
Blackreelawards2005@yahoo.com

Web site: http://www.faaaf.org/


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