Five Films Make Final Cut For 8th Annual HBO Short Film Award At Film Life's American Black Film Festival in South Beach, July 13-17

Five Films Make Final Cut For 8th Annual HBO Short Film Award At Film Life's American Black Film Festival in South Beach, July 13-17

-- Opening night competition to be hosted by actress Tracee Ellis Ross, with $20,000 grand prize presented by HBO at festival's closing ceremony --

NEW YORK, June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Five films have made the cut for the 8th Annual HBO Short Film Award, with the filmmakers attending Film Life's 9th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in South Beach, Miami, July 13-17, for the final round of competition. Film Life, Inc. and Time Warner, with HBO as founding sponsor, will present the festival.

First given out in 1998 to recognize the writing and directing talent of up-and-coming black filmmakers, the HBO Short Film Award has become a staple at the ABFF and a stepping-stone for new talent.

"Our partnership with the ABFF has helped open doors for new filmmakers, something we're very proud of," said Olivia Smashum, executive vice president, Affiliate Marketing at HBO. "Combined efforts have helped develop an audience for new voices, created a place where filmmakers can connect with industry executives, and given us the opportunity to share our expertise in the creative process."

This year's competing films are:

The Catalyst - Director/Writer: Marcus Stokes - the story of a young man who seeks help from a mysterious person in the hopes of saving the life of his fiance. Stokes holds a Master's Degree in Architectural Design from the University of California at Berkeley. He has worked as an effects artist for George Lucas' company Industrial Light & Magic, where he helped create visual effects for the "Star Wars" prequels. He also did special effects for "The Matrix 2 and 3," "Peter Pan" and "I Robot" and has worked on a variety of commercials and music videos. Stokes now works as a freelance director in the Los Angeles area.

In Time - Co-Directors: Maurice A. Dwyer/Adetoro Makinde, Writer: Adetoro Makinde - a story that examines the clash between Yoruba traditions and the American lifestyle during an impending wedding. A native of Mt. Vernon, N.Y., Dwyer graduated from Temple University with a degree in filmmaking. Also an actor, he has appeared in several plays, independent films and CBS' "Now and Again." Nigerian-American Makinde is a graduate of Georgetown University and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Her performance credits include "Homicide," "100 Centre Street," and "Only in America: The Don King Story." Dwyer and Makinde have collaborated on a number of shorts.

The Male Groupie - Director: Christopher Scott Cherot, Writer: Morocco Omari - the story of two childhood friends, one a successful rapper, the other a hanger-on, who start drifting apart. Cherot's directing credits include "Andre Royo's Big Scene," "College Hill" (TV series), "G," "Box Marley" and "Hav Plenty." Omari's television credits include recurring roles on "Joan of Arcadia," "Dragnet" and "Girlfriends" and appearances on "Judging Amy," "24," "Crossing Jordan," "Frasier," "The District" and "Angel." Film credits include "Andre Royo's Big Scene," "Momentum," "Shakedown," "Hope" and "A Song for Jade."

Seeker - Co-Directors/Writers: Adam Hutchings/Omeliho Nwanguma - the story of a Nigerian immigrant who stoops to desperate measures in order to survive, while telling his family back home that he is living the good life. Hutchings and Nwanguma met while attending the University of Buckinghamshire in England, where they received degrees in Graphics and Advertising. By day, both freelance for production and editing companies, leaving nights open to pursue their passion for writing and directing. They have collaborated on several scripts/short films and are currently developing three feature film scripts.

Shards - Director: Jonathan Levine, Co-Writers: Jonathan David Boyce/Jonathan Levine - the story of a DJ and graffiti artist who struggles to kick a drug habit and detach himself from old ways after the death of a friend. Levine graduated from Brown University with a degree in Art/Semiotics. He attended AFI after receiving a prestigious merit scholarship to pursue his studies in directing and is currently shopping around several feature scripts and working on music videos. Boyce received a BA in Film and Video from Georgia State University and continued his education at the AFI. He has written/co-written several short films and is currently developing feature film and television projects based on characters in "Shards."

A panel of distinguished African American directors as well as HBO executives will judge the final entries during the festival, with the $20,000 grand prize presented by HBO at the ABFF Awards ceremony on closing night. The four runners-up will also receive $5,000 grants.

Last year, the HBO Short Film Award was presented to Xelinda Yancy, writer, director and producer of "Time Out." The film was executive produced by director John Singleton.

Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television-programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., providing two 24-hour premium television services, HBO and Cinemax. Together, both networks reach approximately 39 million subscribers in the United States via cable and satellite delivery. Home Box Office's international joint ventures bring HBO branded services to more than 50 countries around the globe.

The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based film marketing and distribution company. Its mission is to spearhead the global distribution of quality Black films and be the leading American brand producing Black movies and related entertainment content.

Time Warner Inc. is the world's leading media and entertainment company whose businesses include filmed entertainment, interactive services, television networks, cable systems and publishing.

Source: HBO

CONTACT: Jodie Hauptmann, +1-212-512-5431

Web site: http://www.hbo.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

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