HBO to Present Key Events at 18th Annual AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVA

HBO, the founding and premier sponsor of Film Life's American Black Film Festival (ABFF), will once again have a major presence at the premier urban event which is being held for the first time in New York City, June 19-22, 2014. The move follows the festival's objective to tap into the city's expansive and diverse creative community and promote the universal appeal of Black cinema and talent.

This year, HBO will present four key events:

The HBO Character and Scene Studio Friday, June 20th/4:30pm - 6:00pm/Helen Mills Theater /137 West 26th Street Presented by HBO Join HBO for a dynamic and fun workshop that encourages emerging writers/directors to be daring and think out of the box. Shaka King, Nikyatu Jusu, Darius Clark Monroe and Steven Caple, Jr. will work with HBO programming executives to develop original and clever scenes performed live in front of an ABFF audience. A Q&A will follow the performance.

The 17th Annual HBO(R) Short Film Award Friday/June 20th, 8:45 pm - 10:45 pm/ School of Visual Arts Theatre/333 West 23rd Street Presented by HBO HBO's prestigious award, which has been part of the ABFF's competitive film program since it was established in 1998, will once again honor the writing and directing talents of up-and-coming Black filmmakers. A special screening will showcase the five films selected for the final round of competition: DAWN./written by Ya'Ke Smith and Mikala Gibson/directed by Ya'Ke Smith; Ir/RECONCILABLE, written/directed by Gabrielle Fulton; MUTED, written by Brandi Ford/directed by Rachel Goldberg; THE PERFECT SACRIFICE, written/directed by Tiffany Littlejohn; and WHEN IT ALL FALLS DOWN, written/directed by Terron Jones. A $10,000 grand prize will be awarded to the top winner during the ABFF's Awards presentation on closing night.

The 2nd Annual ABFF Comedy Wings Competition Saturday, June 21st/9:00 pm-11:00 pm/Metropolitan Pavilion, Main Stage/125 West 18th Street Hosted by HBO

Four finalists - Jon Laster (Brooklyn, NY), Hadiyah Robinson (Brooklyn, NY), Amberia Allen (Bakersfield, CA) and Schmitty B. (Chicago, IL) - will compete for the ABFF Comedy Wings title. Hosted by HBO, the competition is a partnership with the ABFF to create a pathway to opportunities for rising comedic talent across all mediums: film, television and the web. Chris Spencer, comedian and executive producer of Real Husbands of Hollywood on BET, will serve as master of ceremony. The grand prize winner, who will be awarded $2,500, will be announced during the ABFF's Awards presentation on closing night.

HBO Programming Panel: A Peek Behind the Curtain Sunday, June 22nd/2:00pm-3:30pm/Metropolitan Pavilion, Main Stage/125 West 18th Street Presented by HBO HBO aligns the stars from some of its series for a moderated discussion featuring a mix of creators, producers and talent who will talk about their creative journeys and current HBO projects. Join moderator Neill Drummond and cast/crew members from Boardwalk Empire, Getting On and True Blood for some enlightening and engaging talk. Confirmed panelists include: Terence Winter, Howard Korder, Michael Kenneth Williams, Kelly Macdonald, Niecy Nash, Brandon Fobbs, Nelsan Ellis and Joe Manganiello.