Dope

Dope is a coming-of-age comedy/drama for the post hip-hop generation; its main characters are obsessed with ‘90s hip-hop. Malcolm (Shameik Moore) is warily surviving life in “The Bottoms” in Los Angeles, while juggling college applications, academic interviews and SATs. His dream is to attend Harvard. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into a gritty adventure filled with offbeat characters and bad choices that could allow him to go from being a geek to being dope to ultimately being himself.

Directed by Rick Famuyiwa

Starring Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Blake Anderson, Zoë Kravitz, A$AP Rocky, Chanel Imanand Quincy Brown

Genre(s) Comedy Film

‘Carol’ ‘Brooklyn’ ‘The Danish Girl’ ‘Spotlight’ Among 21st Critics’ Choice Awards Nominations

“Mad Max: Fury Road” leads the nominations for the 21st Critics’ Choice Awards with 13 nominations including Best Picture. “Carol,” impressed with nine nominations including Best Picture, and Best Director. “Spotlight” earned eight nominations, “Brooklyn,” “The Danish Girl,” each garnered five nominations and “Room” earned four. The winners will be revealed live at the Critics’ Choice Awards gala, which will be broadcast from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on A&E, Lifetime and LMN on Sunday, January 17 at 8PM ET/ 5PM PT. Actor and comedian T.J. Miller will serve as the show’s host. NOMINATIONS FOR THE 21st CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS BEST PICTURE The Big Short Bridge of Spies Brooklyn Carol Mad Max: Fury Road The Martian The Revenant Room Sicario Spotlight BEST ACTOR Bryan Cranston – Trumbo Matt Damon – The Martian Johnny Depp – Black Mass Leonardo DiCaprio – The Revenant Michael Fassbender – Steve Jobs Eddie Redmayne – The Danish Girl BEST ACTRESS Cate Blanchett – Carol Brie Larson – Room Jennifer Lawrence – Joy Charlotte Rampling – 45 Years Saoirse Ronan – Brooklyn Charlize Theron – Mad Max: Fury Road BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Paul Dano – Love & Mercy Tom Hardy – The Revenant Mark Ruffalo – Spotlight Mark Rylance – Bridge of Spies Michael Shannon – 99 Homes Sylvester Stallone – Creed BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Jennifer Jason Leigh – The Hateful Eight Rooney Mara – Carol Rachel McAdams – Spotlight Helen Mirren – Trumbo Alicia Vikander – The Danish Girl Kate Winslet – Steve Jobs BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS Abraham Attah – Beasts of No Nation RJ Cyler – Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Shameik Moore – Dope Milo Parker – Mr. Holmes Jacob Tremblay – Room BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE The Big Short The Hateful Eight Spotlight Straight Outta Compton Trumbo BEST DIRECTOR Todd Haynes – Carol Alejandro González Iñárritu – The Revenant Tom McCarthy – Spotlight George Miller – Mad Max: Fury Road Ridley Scott – The Martian Steven Spielberg – Bridge of Spies BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Matt Charman and Ethan Coen & Joel Coen – Bridge of Spies Alex Garland – Ex Machina Quentin Tarantino – The Hateful Eight Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley – Inside Out Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy – Spotlight BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Charles Randolph and Adam McKay – The Big Short Nick Hornby – Brooklyn Drew Goddard – The Martian Emma Donoghue – Room Aaron Sorkin – Steve Jobs BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Carol – Ed Lachman The Hateful Eight – Robert Richardson Mad Max: Fury Road – John Seale The Martian – Dariusz Wolski The Revenant – Emmanuel Lubezki Sicario – Roger Deakins BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN Bridge of Spies – Adam Stockhausen, Rena DeAngelo Brooklyn – François Séguin, Jennifer Oman and Louise Tremblay Carol – Judy Becker, Heather Loeffler The Danish Girl – Eve Stewart, Michael Standish Mad Max: Fury Road – Colin Gibson The Martian – Arthur Max, Celia Bobak BEST EDITING The Big Short – Hank Corwin Mad Max: Fury Road – Margaret Sixel The Martian – Pietro Scalia The Revenant – Stephen Mirrione Spotlight – Tom McArdle BEST COSTUME DESIGN Brooklyn – Odile Dicks-Mireaux Carol – Sandy Powell Cinderella – Sandy Powell The Danish Girl – Paco Delgado Mad Max: Fury Road – Jenny Beavan BEST HAIR & MAKEUP Black Mass Carol The Danish Girl The Hateful Eight Mad Max: Fury Road The Revenant BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Ex Machina Jurassic World Mad Max: Fury Road The Martian The Revenant The Walk BEST ANIMATED FEATURE Anomalisa The Good Dinosaur Inside Out The Peanuts Movie Shaun the Sheep Movie BEST ACTION MOVIE Furious 7 Jurassic World Mad Max: Fury Road Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation Sicario BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE Daniel Craig – Spectre Tom Cruise – Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation Tom Hardy – Mad Max: Fury Road Chris Pratt – Jurassic World Paul Rudd – Ant-Man BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE Emily Blunt – Sicario Rebecca Ferguson – Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation Bryce Dallas Howard – Jurassic World Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 Charlize Theron – Mad Max: Fury Road BEST COMEDY The Big Short Inside Out Joy Sisters Spy Trainwreck BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY Christian Bale – The Big Short Steve Carell – The Big Short Robert De Niro – The Intern Bill Hader – Trainwreck Jason Statham – Spy BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY Tina Fey – Sisters Jennifer Lawrence – Joy Melissa McCarthy – Spy Amy Schumer – Trainwreck Lily Tomlin – Grandma BEST SCI-FI/HORROR MOVIE Ex Machina It Follows Jurassic World Mad Max: Fury Road The Martian BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM The Assassin Goodnight Mommy Mustang The Second Mother Son of Saul BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE Amy Cartel Land Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief He Named Me Malala The Look of Silence Where to Invade Next BEST SONG Fifty Shades of Grey – Love Me Like You Do Furious 7 – See You Again The Hunting Ground – Til It Happens To You Love & Mercy – One Kind of Love Spectre – Writing’s on the Wall Youth – Simple Song #3 BEST SCORE Carol – Carter Burwell The Hateful Eight – Ennio Morricone The Revenant – Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto Sicario – Johann Johannsson Spotlight – Howard Shore
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Complete List of 74 Original Songs Eligible for 2015 Oscar

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that 74 songs from eligible feature-length motion pictures released in 2015 are in contention for nominations in the Original Song category for the 88th Academy Awards®. The original songs, along with the motion picture in which each song is featured, are listed below in alphabetical order by film title and song title: “Happy” from “Altered Minds” “Home” from “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip” “None Of Them Are You” from “Anomalisa” “Stem To The Rose” from “Becoming Bulletproof” “The Mystery Of Your Gift” from “Boychoir” “I Run” from “Chi-Raq” “Pray 4 My City” from “Chi-Raq” “Sit Down For This” from “Chi-Raq” “Strong” from “Cinderella” “So Long” from “Concussion” “Fighting Stronger” from “Creed” “Grip” from “Creed” “Waiting For My Moment” from “Creed” “Don’t Look Down” from “Danny Collins” “Hey Baby Doll” from “Danny Collins” “Dreamsong” from “The Diary of a Teenage Girl” (pictured above) “It’s My Turn Now” from “Dope” “Ya Rahem, Maula Maula” from “Dukhtar” “Earned It” from “Fifty Shades of Grey” “Love Me Like You Do” from “Fifty Shades of Grey” “Salted Wound” from “Fifty Shades of Grey” “Hands Of Love” from “Freeheld” “See You Again” from “Furious Seven” “Brother” from “Godspeed: The Story of Page Jones” “As Real As You And Me” from “Home” “Dancing In The Dark” from “Home” “Feel The Light” from “Home” “Red Balloon” from “Home” “Two Of A Crime” from “Hot Pursuit” “Til It Happens To You” from “The Hunting Ground” “I’ll See You In My Dreams” from “I’ll See You in My Dreams” “The Movie About Us” from “Ingrid Bergman – In Her Own Words” “Bhoomiyilenghanumundo” from “Jalam” “Koodu Vaykkan” from “Jalam” “Pakalppaathi Chaari” from “Jalam” “Yaathra Manoradhamerum” from “Jalam” “Lost In Love” from “Jenny’s Wedding” “True Love Avenue” from “Jenny’s Wedding” “Hypnosis” from “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet” “Juntos (Together)” from “McFarland, USA” “The Light That Never Fails” from “Meru” “The Crazy Ones” from “Miss You Already” “There’s A Place” from “Miss You Already” “Johanna” from “Mortdecai” “Little Soldier” from “Pan” “Something’s Not Right” from “Pan” “Paranoid Girl” from “Paranoid Girls” “Better When I’m Dancin'” from “The Peanuts Movie” “Pink & Blue” from “Pink & Blue: Colors of Hereditary Cancer” “Flashlight” from “Pitch Perfect 2” “Birds Of A Feather” from “Poached” “Still Breathing” from “Point Break” “Manta Ray” from “Racing Extinction” “Cold One” from “Ricki and the Flash” “Torch” from “Rock the Kasbah” “Someone Like You” from “The Rumperbutts” “Aankhon Me Samaye Dil” from “Salt Bridge” “Bachpana Thaa” from “Salt Bridge” “Kanpne Lage Tum” from “Salt Bridge” “Kyaa Bataaun Tujhe” from “Salt Bridge” “Le Jaaye Jo Door Tumse” from “Salt Bridge” “Na Jaane Kitni Door” from “Salt Bridge” “Sookha Hi Rang Daalo” from “Salt Bridge” “Feels Like Summer” from “Shaun the Sheep Movie” “Phenomenal” from “Southpaw” “Writing’s On The Wall” from “Spectre” “Squeeze Me” from “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge out of Water” “Teamwork” from “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge out of Water” “Who Can You Trust” from “Spy” “Came To Win” from “Sweet Micky for President” “Mean Ol’ Moon” from “Ted 2” “Love Was My Alibi” from “The Water Diviner” “Fine On The Outside” from “When Marnie Was There” “Simple Song #3” from “Youth” During the nominations process, all voting members of the Music Branch will receive a Reminder List of works submitted in the category and a DVD copy of the song clips. Members will be asked to watch the clips and then vote in the order of their preference for not more than five achievements in the category. The five achievements receiving the highest number of votes will become the nominations for final voting for the award. A maximum of two songs may be nominated from any one film. To be eligible, a song must consist of words and music, both of which are original and written specifically for the film. A clearly audible, intelligible, substantive rendition of both lyric and melody must be used in the body of the film or as the first music cue in the end credits. The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 14, 2016, at 5:30 a.m. PT at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The 88th Oscars® will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
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2015 Los Cabos International Film Festival Reveals Films in Tastes, B-Side and American Specials Sections

The 2015 Los Cabos International Film Festival taking place 11th to the 15th of November, continues to impress with its film lineup. The festival revealed the lineup for Tastes – a new section in the film program focusing on culinary themed films, B-Side program – focusing on music themed films, and American Specials, which presents the Mexican premieres of US films. Tastes program includes outstanding films from the international circuit of culinary cinema, including Cooking Up a Tribute by Luis González and Andrea Gómez (Mexican Premiere), about El Celler de Can Roca, the world’s best restaurant, which decided to shut down temporarily to go on the road and tour America; Sergio Herman: F***ing Perfect by Willemiek Kluijfhout (Latin American Premiere), which portrays one of the 50 best chefs in the world, who is a perfectionist obsessed with culinary excellence; and Baja Tastes by Roberto Najera (World Premiere), a first work made in Tijuana that introduces us to the culinary delights, variety and fusion of the Baja California peninsula. The B-Side program will have the most outstanding films in which music is a delight for both the ear and the eye. The tuneful world of Arcade Fire in Reflektor Tapes come together with the hip-hop rhythms created by Pharrell Williams for Dope, along with Office, by the Hongkongese director, Johnnie To, who breathes fresh air to this program by bringing a beautiful, nimble, musical cinema. Dope (Mexican Premiere) Dir. Rick Famuyiwa (The Wood, Brown Sugar, Talk to Me) Cast: Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons Soundtrack by Pharrell Williams Premiered at Sundance. Arcade Fire: The Reflektor Tapes Dir. Hervé Martin-Delpierre (Daft Punk Unchained; Sport, mafia et corruption) Cast: Win Butler, Régine Chassagne, Arcade Fire Office (Latin American Premiere) Dir. Johnnie To Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Wang Ziyi, Lang Yueting Premiered at Sundance. In the new Film Program section, American Specials, which presents the Mexican premieres of US films that have won critical acclaim and set box-office records, the Festival has recently confirmed the Mexican premiere for Black Mass and The Diary of a Teenage Girl. Additionally, the lineup will include the following premieres: The Hollow Point (World Premiere) Dir. Gonzalo López-Gallego (El Rey de la Montaña, Nómadas, Apolo 18) Cast: Ian McShane, Lynn Collins, Patrick Wilson Max Rose (Latin American Premiere) Dir. Daniel Noah (Twelve) Cast: Illeana Douglas, Kerry Bishé, Jerry Lewis. Premiered at Festival de Cannes in 2013 El Ganzo (Latin American Premiere) Dir. Steve Balderson (Hell Town, Occupying Ed, The Far Flung Star) Cast: Mark Booker, Magdalena del Rio, Anslem Richardson. The Festival also confirmed the Mexican talent that will take part in gala events and Industry activities, among them: Eugenio Derbez, José María Yazpik, Manolo Caro, Tenoch Huerta, José Carlos Ruíz, Sebastián Aguirre, Sophie Alexander-Katz, José María Torre, Sofía Espinosa, Ianis Guerrero, Rosa María Bianchi, Jaime Garza, Adriana Paz, and many others.
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Terrence J, Draya Michele, Mack Wilds Attend DOPE LA, NYC Screenings

Screenings were held in New York City and LA for the 2015 Sundance Film Festival fave DOPE which opens nationwide on June 19. Open Road Films hosted a special New York press screening of Sundance fave DOPE at AMC Loews 19 in Manhattan. Actor and recording artist Mack Wilds (pictured above)and television & radio personality Angela Yee hosted the screening. Actor/tv personality Terrence J (pictured above) and lifestyle marketing specialist Miss Diddy hosted a private screening of DOPE at Landmark Theatres in Los Angeles. Attendees included reality show personality Draya Michele. DOPE is produced by Forest Whitaker, executive produced by Pharrell Williams, and co-executive produced by Sean Combs, and stars Shameik Moore, Kimberly Elise, Chanel Iman, Quincy Brown, Zoe Kravitz and A$AP Rocky.
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LA Premiere of DOPE at 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival

The official Los Angeles premiere of the film DOPE took place on Monday night at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live as a pre-festival screening at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival. EXCLUSIVE – Co-Executive Producer Sean Combs and Executive Producer Pharrell Williams seen at Open Road Films Los Angeles Premiere of “Dope” in partnership with the LA Film Fest on Monday, June 8, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Open Road Films/AP Images) Cast members in attendance included Shameik Moore, Kiersey Clemons, Kimberly Elise, Quincy Brown, Chanel Iman, A$AP Rocky, Tyga, Tony Revolori, Blake Anderson, and Kap G. Also in attendance was director/writer Rick Famuyiwa, producers Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi, executive producer Pharrell Williams, co-executive producer Sean Combs and co-producer Mimi Valdes. EXCLUSIVE – A$AP Rocky seen at Open Road Films Los Angeles Premiere of “Dope” in partnership with the LA Film Fest on Monday, June 8, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Open Road Films/AP Images) DOPE premieres nationwide on June 19.
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WATCH the new NSFW DOPE Red Band Trailer

Check out the new NSFW DOPE red band trailer, the hit movie out of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, that opens in theaters on June 19, 2015. Directed by Rick Famuyiwa, Produced by Forest Whitaker, Executive Produced by Pharrell Williams and Co-Executive Produced by Sean Combs, DOPE tells the story of Malcolm played by Shameik Moore, who is carefully surviving life in a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into an adventure that could allow him to go from being a geek, to being dope, to ultimately being himself. DOPE also stars Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Blake Anderson, Zoe Kravitz, A$AP Rocky , Chanel Iman and Quincy Brown. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUBpnslcHVA
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2015 American Black Film Festival Unveils Lineup, Opens with DOPE

The 2015 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) taking place at the AMC Empire 25 in Times Square, New York City, June 11 to 14, 2015, unveiled its lineup of films, including documentaries, web originals, short films and narrative features. Film director Rick Famuyiwa’s critically acclaimed film, Dope, will open the 19th annual American Black Film Festival on Thursday, June 11, at the SVA Theatre. Dope is a coming-of-age comedy/drama for the post hip-hop generation; its main characters are obsessed with ‘90s hip-hop. Malcolm (Shameik Moore) is warily surviving life in “The Bottoms” in Los Angeles, while juggling college applications, academic interviews and SATs. His dream is to attend Harvard. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into a gritty adventure filled with offbeat characters and bad choices that could allow him to go from being a geek to being dope to ultimately being himself. Open Road Films will release the film nationwide on June 19, 2015. Dope stars Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Blake Anderson, Zoë Kravitz, A$AP Rocky, Chanel Imanand Quincy Brown and is produced by Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi (Fruitvale Station). Pharrell Williams, Michael Y. Chow (Fruitvale Station), Rick Famuyiwa (The Wood, Brown Sugar) and David Lonner are executive producers.Sean “P. Diddy” Combs is co-executive producer, and Mimi Valdes and Caron Veazy are co-producers. The complete list of films selected for Spotlight, Narrative Features Competition, HBO Short Film Competition, ABFF Web Originals, and the ABFF Documentary Competition follows below: OPENING NIGHT FILM DOPE 2014 USA 115 MIN HD NY Premiere Sponsored by the Motion Picture Association of America Courtesy of Open Road Films Directed by: Rick Famuyiwa Written by: Rick Famuyiwa Produced by: Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi Executive Producers: Pharrell Williams, Michael Y. Chow, Rick Famuyiwa, David Lonner Co-Exec. Prod: Sean “P. Diddy” Combs. Co-Prods: Mimi Valdes, Caron Veazys Cast: Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Blake Anderson, Zoë Kravitz, A$AP Rocky, Chanel Iman, Quincy Brown SPOTLIGHT SCREENINGS 2015 ABFF INDEPENDENT – Season 4 Premiere 2015 USA 35 MIN World Premiere ABFF Independent is a showcase of popular and award-winning films from the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) hosted by hip-hop artist, record producer and actor David Banner. AN UNEXPECTED HISTORY: THE STORY OF HENNESSY AND AFRICAN AMERICANS 2015 USA 49 MIN HD World Premiere Courtesy of Hennessy Directed by: Llewellyn Smith Produced by: Llewellyn Smith, Annie Stopford Featuring: Jason P. Chambers, PhD, Herbert P. Douglas Jr., Noel Hankin, Rhonda McDonald, Rodney Williams An Unexpected History celebrates Moët Hennessy’s hundred-year relationship with African American culture, as well as the role of African Americans in shaping the brand’s identity and success. The film recounts Hennessy’s historic role in bringing respect and opportunities to Black professionals and consumers, by focusing on the remarkable achievements of two of the brand’s most influential Black executives. BOYZ N THE HOOD + Q&A with director John Singleton to follow 1991 USA 108 MIN 35 mm Courtesy of Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Directed by: John SingletonWritten by: John Singleton Produced by: Steve Nicolaides Cast: Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Angela Bassett, Regina King John Singleton’s classic saga tells the story of a group of childhood friends growing up in a Los Angeles ghetto. BOXED IN + Q&A with actress and director Tasha Smith to follow 2014 USA 30 MIN HD World Premiere Directed by: Tasha Smith Written by: Tasha Smith Produced by: Tasha Smith, Kim Ogletree Cast: Walter Fauntleroy, Antonique Smith, Tyra Ferrell A Black man in NYC struggles with bipolar disorder, while his girlfriend and mother learn to deal with the pain of his manic episodes and struggle for mental survival. RUNAWAY ISLAND + Q&A with the director and cast to follow 2015 USA 85 MIN Estimated HD World Premiere Courtesy of TV One Directed by: Dianne Houston Written by: Christopher Brandt Produced by: Gingi Rochelle & Allison Wilmarth Cast: Lorraine Toussaint (Orange Is the New Black), Thomas Q. Jones (Being Mary Jane), Aisha Hinds (Star Trek Into Darkness), Leon Thomas (Victorious), A. Russell Andrews (Grey’s Anatomy, House of Payne),Erica Tazel (Justified), Melanie Liburd (CSI, Stalker). A pastor, an aging widow, and a socialite with cold feet visit a luxurious Gullah Sea Island resort to be rejuvenated by its holistic setting. NARRATIVE FEATURES FRENCH DIRTY 2015/USA/72min/HD/NY Premiere Directed by: Wade Allain-Marcus, Jesse Allain-Marcus Written by: Peter K. Hagen, Wade Allain-Marcus Produced by: Jason Wolf, Mel Jones Cast: Wade Allain-Marcus, Melina Lizette, Arjun Gupta After committing the carnal sin of sleeping with his best friend’s girlfriend, Vincent must deal with the consequences of his betrayal and hope that his bond with his brother-from-another-mother can withstand the blow GIRLFRIENDS’ GETAWAY 2 ** FEATURED ALUMNI SCREENING 2015/USA/84min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Roger M. Bobb Written by: Cas Sigers-Beedles Produced by: Roger M. Bobb, Angi Bones, Cas Sigers, Terri J. Vaughn Cast: Garcelle Beauvais, Terri J. Vaughn, Essence Atkins, Malinda Williams, Stephen Bishop, Khalil Kane Four girlfriends travel to Puerto Rico for a destination wedding and chaos ensues when the low-key wedding turns into a disaster. JOHN OF GOD THE MOVIE 2014/ Democratic Republic of Congo/86min/HD/North America Premiere Directed by: Selé M’Poko Written by: Selé M’Poko Produced by: Selé M’Poko, Alessia Michielan, Jo D. Jonz, Woody T. Richman, Pamela Lubell Cast: Jo D. Jonz, Jean Shaka Tshipamba, Moïse Ilunga John of God is the world’s greatest musician…in his own mind. KNUCKLEHEAD 2015/USA/81min/HD Directed by: Ben Bowman Written by: Bryan Abrams, Ben Bowman Produced by: Gbenga Akinnagbe, Ben Bowman Executive Producers: Jonathan Gray, Debra Azemar Cast: Gbenga Akinnagbe, Alfre Woodard, Amari Cheatom, Justin Myrick, Nikiya Mathis, Carla Duren Convinced prescription drugs will fix his mind, a mentally disabled man leaves Brooklyn for the first time to find the one doctor who he believes can cure him. LAST NIGHT 2014/USA/93min/HD/NY Premiere Directed by: Harold Jackson III Written by: Harold Jackson III Produced by: Harold Jackson III, Hope Taylor, Prince Levy Jr., Latecia Durham Cast: Judi Blair, Danny Gavigan, Benton Greene, Nedra McClyde, Nikkole Salter A woman’s last night alone before settling down is sidetracked by a chance meeting with an attractive stranger. SUPERMODEL *** FEATURED ALUMNI SCREENING 2015/USA/95min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Shawn Baker Written by: Shawn Baker, Datari Turner Produced by: Datari Turner Cast: Tyson Beckford, Sessilee Lopez, Datari Turner, Roger Guenveur Smith, Fat Joe, Toccara Jones, Angela Simmons, Marc John Jefferies, Tatyana Ali, Nichole Galicia, Melissa De Sousa, Don Benjamin, Cassandra Freeman, Tobias Truvillion, Julito McCullum, Adam Senn A young girl from the Brooklyn housing projects goes from the subway to the runway, becoming one of the most sought after models in the fashion industry. But in the high stakes world of fashion and beauty, things aren’t always as pretty and glamorous as they seem. THE GIRL IS IN TROUBLE *** FEATURED ALUMNI SCREENING 2015/USA/94min/35mm/NY Premiere Directed by: Julius Onah Written by: Mayuran Tiruchelvam, Julius Onah Produced by: Dana Offenbach, Ryan Silbert, Robert Profusek, Jen Gatien Cast: Columbus Short, Wilmer Valderrama, Alicja Bachelda, Jesse Spencer A Lower East Side bartender becomes entangled in a murder mystery involving a desperate woman, a missing drug dealer and the scion of a powerful investment firm. THE NIGHT BEFORE 2015/USA/86min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Kenny Young Written by: Kenny Young Produced by: Phil James, Lisa D. Washington, Kim Hardin Executive Producers: Angela White, Felicia James Cast: Colin Egglesfield, David Faustino, Fred Willard, Anna Hutchinson, Brian White, Gary Owen A “ladies man” must face his own fear of commitment while hosting his best friend’s bachelor party. THE SIN SEER 2015/USA/119min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Paul D. Hannah Written by: Paul D. Hannah Produced by: Paul D. Hannah, Angela White, Isaiah Washington Cast: Lisa Arrindell Anderson, Isaiah Washington, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, C. Thomas Howell, Michael Ironside, Richard Brooks A woman becomes trapped in a murderous web deception and uses her gift of discernment to discover the truth. WHAT LOVE WILL MAKE YOU DO 2015/USA/95min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Lisa Haynes Written by: Lisa Haynes Produced by: Lisa Haynes, Andre Congo, Justin Bones, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Brad James, Ty Johnston, Victoria Rowell Cast: Darrin Dewitt Henson, Judi Blair, Victoria Rowell, Darryl Booker, Sir Brodie, Carl Anthony Payne II, Brad James An attorney from a prestigious law firm falls in love with a beautiful woman of his dreams, but later discovers her father is seeking revenge against him over a court case gone terribly wrong. HBO® SHORT FILM COMPETITION BLACK CARD 2015/USA/14min/HD/New York Premiere Directed by: Pete Chatmon Written by: Tony Patrick Produced by: Christina DeHaven, Tony Patrick, Dorian Missick, Dylan Verrechia, ELEW Executive Producer: Pete Chatmon Cast: Dorian Missick, Simone Missick, Hisham Tawfiq, Stephen Hill, Erika Myers, Malikha Mallette, April Matthis, Valence Thomas In a culture requiring an ID card and commitment to the code, an African American couple is about to find out just how far the boundaries can be pushed…. CHAINING DAY 2014/USA/11min/HD/New York Premiere Directed by: Dominic Haxton Written by: Chris Bailey Produced by: Chris Bailey Cast: Dusan Brown, Shawn Kenneth A young boy commits an accidental murder, which causes a stir in the community and forces him to choose between his loyalty to the gang he belongs to OR saving what’s left of his innocence by turning himself into the police. FIRST DATE, LAST DATE 2015/USA/7min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Derege Harding Written by: E.V. Anderson Produced by: Derege Harding Cast: Andrea Bordeaux, Daniel Hall Soul mates Sara and Michael carry on their first date as the world comes to an end. JOY 2015/USA/15min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Solomon Onita Jr. Written by: Solomon Onita Jr. Produced by: Elsie Dortelus, Terrence J. Grant, Solomon Onita Jr. Cast: Sope Aluko, Bayo Akinfemi, Hannah Tarver, Georgina E. Okon, Brooke-Monaé Westbrook A Nigerian middle-aged woman living in America struggles to convince her traditionalist husband not to circumcise their ten-year-old daughter. STANHOPE 2015/USA/18min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Solvan Naim Written by: Solvan Naim Produced by: Solvan Naim, Akshay Bhansali Cast: Malik Lockett, Johnnie Mae, Rob Morgan, Nedra McClyde, Simeon Buresch Stanhope is a drama about a teenage inner-city kid from Brooklyn who gets caught up in a web of violence as a paid assassin. ABFF WEB ORIGINALS – GROUP 1 #JOSH 2014 USA 15:35 MIN HD World Premiere Directed by: Edson Jean, Nick Katz Written by: Episode-1 Joshua Jean-Baptiste; Episode-2 Mimi Davila, Marckenson Charles, Maria Corina Ramirez; Episode-3 Joshua Jean-Baptiste, Mimi Davila, Maria Corina Ramirez Produced by: Edson Jean, Nick Katz, Barry Katz Cast: Joshua Jean Baptiste, Edson Jean, Shira Abergel, Marckenson Charles A naive, chaste acting student (Josh) seeks guidance from his immoral problematic roommate in hopes to become a leading man. ACKEE & SALTFISH 2015 UNITED KINGDOM 16:21 MIN HD Directed by: Cecile Emeke Written by: Cecile Emeke Produced by: Cecile Emeke, Abraham Popoola Cast: Michelle Tiwo, Vanessa Babirye Everyday moments are never mundane with these two hilarious best friends in Ackee & Saltfish. ESCORTS 2015 USA 21:37 MIN HD New York Premiere Directed by: Dave Patten Written by: Dave Patten, Josh West. Produced by: Dave Patten, Alexx Ray, Chris Bauer Executive Producer: David Ricks Cast: Dave Patten, David Ricks, Alexx Ray, Richard Amezcua Pragmatic hipster Jay Miller’s successful small business of selling sex to his collegiate peers becomes infinitely more difficult when one of his employees dies while “working.” ALL ABOUT THE MCKENZIES 2014 UNITED KINGDOM 20:51 MIN HD World Premiere Directed by: Samuell Benta Written by: Samuell Benta Produced by: Samuell Benta Cast: Samuell Benta, Jason Pennycooke, Ria Horsford, Frankie Clarence, Destinee Tombling, Sheldon Nicolls, Fenella James All about comedy, all about drama, it’s All About The McKenzies. BLACK ACTRESS SERIES – SEASON TWO 2015 USA 23:34 MIN HD New York Premiere Directed by: William Alexander Runnels Written by: Episode 1-Andrea Lewis; Episode 2-Andrea Lewis, Austin Hall; Episode 3 – Andrea Lewis Produced by: Andrea Lewis, Brian Walker, Tatyana Ali, Essence Atkins, Brad Kaaya, Carol Desousa Cast: Andrea Lewis, Allison Edwards-Crewe, Rob Vincent The life of an actress who wants to be more than just Black. ABFF WEB ORIGINALS – GROUP II DOWNTOWN GIRLS 2014 USA 17:35 MIN HD New York Premiere Directed by: Emebeit Beyene & Chandra Russell Written by: Jessica Lamour Produced by: Jacques Lamour, Emebeit Beyene, Crystal Boyd, Chandra Russell Cast: Emebeit Beyene, Crystal Boyd, Chivonne Michelle, Chandra Russell To raise money to launch their own business, four girls turn their Lower East Side apartment into a lucrative nightclub. DOCKET 32357 2014 USA 24:11 MIN HD World Premiere Directed by: Randy Wilkins Written by: Eljon Wardally Produced by: Jessica Karen Brown, Juan Caceres Cast: Tara Gadomski, Ashley Denise Robinson A successful businesswoman and a grieving housewife struggle to overcome loneliness in the face of a shared tragedy. Q’S ONE NIGHT STANDS 2014 USA 17 MIN HD World Premiere Directed by: Terrence L. Moore Written by: Terrence L. Moore Produced by: Michael Galvan Executive Producers: Terrence L. Moore, Jenny Cadenillas, Uana Coccoloni Cast: Kee Seymore, Susana Victoria Perez, Joshua Windley, Kajuana Shuford, Dominic Marcus, Gayle Samuels A comedy about a guy so fed up with traditional dating he commits to having only one-night stands. THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF DARRELL 2015 USA 14:31 MIN HD New York Premiere Directed by: Darrell Lake Written by: Darrell Lake Produced by: Darrell Lake Cast: Darrell Lake, Tru Collins, Joy Regullano, Larry Karman, Justin Bryant Rapp, Pete George The spectacularly mundane adventures of an incredible average Joe in small town Wakooki, Arizona. AMERICAN KOKO 2015 USA 24 MIN HD New York Premiere Directed by: Diarra Kilpatrick & Miles Orion Feld Written by: Diarra Kilpatrick Produced by: Anna Micayla Feld Cast: Diarra Kilpatrick, Terrence Colby Clemons, Miles Orion Feld, Elaine Kao, Cedric Sanders Employees of the “Everyone’s a Little Racist (EAR) Agency” do their best to tackle every race problem that comes through their door, but for lead agent Akosua Miller, the biggest case of all may be her own… ABFF DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION The following films compete for the Best Documentary award. One winner will be announced during the “Best of the ABFF” awards ceremony, Sunday, June 14. ALTHEA 2014 USA 77 MIN HD Directed by: Rex Miller Produced by: Nancy Buirski, Elisabeth Haviland James, Rex Miller Executive Producers: John Amos, Billie Jean King, William Ackman Principal Subject(s): Billie Jean King, Nick Bollettieri, David Dinkins, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe Althea Gibson, a truant from the rough streets of Harlem, emerged as a most unlikely queen of the highly segregated tennis world of the 1950s. AN AMERICAN ASCENT 2015 USA 64 MIN HD New York Premiere Directed by: Andy Adkins, George Potter Written by: Andy Adkins, James Mills Produced by: George Potter, Andy Adkins Principal Subject(s): Stephen Shobe, Erica Wynn, Tyrhee Moore, Scott Briscoe, Billy Long, Rosemary Saal, Ryan Mitchell, Stephen DeBerry, Adina Scott, James Kagambi, Robby Rechord, Madhu Chikkaraju, Aaron Devine, Jon Krakauer, Conrad Anker An American Ascent documents the first African American expedition to tackle North America’s highest mountain, Denali, while shedding light on the complex relationship many African Americans have with the outdoors. NAT KING COLE – AFRAID OF THE DARK 2014 UNITED KINGDOM 94 MIN HD New York Premiere Directed by: Jon Brewer Produced by: Jon Brewer Principal Subject(s): Maria Cole, Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Mathis and more… A poignant authorized feature documentary on the life and legacy of Nat King Cole. via Indiewire
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#DopeMovie Starring Zoë Kravitz, Rapper A$AP Rocky at 2015 Cannes Film Festival

Front row (left to right): Actors Chanel Iman, Shameik Moore / Second row (left to right): Executive Producer Pharrell Williams, Actors Zoë Kravitz, Quincy Brown, Amin Joseph, Director Rick Famuyiwa, Actors A$AP Rocky, Tony Revolori and Kiersey Clemons celebrate Open Road Films’ DOPE in Cannes. DOPE was the closing night film of the Directors’ Fortnight, screening on the evening of May 22nd. DOPE will be released in the United States on June 19, 2015. #DopeMovie. Executive Producer Pharrell Williams and actress Zoë Kravitz celebrate Open Road Films’ DOPE in Cannes.
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Pharrell Williams Reveals DOPE Movie Official Poster on Instagram

DOPE’s executive producer, Pharrell Williams revealed the film’s official poster on Instagram. DOPE, a break out hit from this year’s Sundance Film Festival,directed by Rick Famuyiwa, tells the story of Malcolm (Shameik Moore) who is carefully surviving life in a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into an adventure that could allow him to go from being a geek, to being dope, to ultimately being himself.

It’s hard out here for a geek… @dopethemovie hits theaters June 19th #DopeMovie

A photo posted by Pharrell Williams (@pharrell) on Apr 30, 2015 at 10:00am PDT

DOPE, also produced by Forest Whitaker and Co-Executive Produced by Sean Combs, stars SHAMEIK MOORE, TONY REVOLORI, KIERSEY CLEMONS, KIMBERLY ELISE, A$AP ROCKY, BLAKE ANDERSON, KEITH STANFIELD, CHANEL IMAN, QUINCY BROWN with ZOE KRAVITZ, opens in theaters on June 19, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=strEm9amZuo
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New Trailer for 2015 Sundance Hit DOPE

Check out the new official teaser trailer for DOPE, the hit movie out of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, which opens in theaters on June 19, 2015. With a #dope soundtrack featuring four new original songs by Pharrell Williams,DOPE tells the story of Malcolm (Shameik Moore) who is carefully surviving life in a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into an adventure that could allow him to go from being a geek, to being dope, to ultimately being himself. Produced by Forest Whitaker, Executive Produced by Pharrell Williams and Co-Executive Produced by Sean Combs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKGF8nNM2iI CAST: SHAMEIK MOORE, TONY REVOLORI, KIERSEY CLEMONS, BLAKE ANDERSON, ZOE KRAVITZ, A$AP ROCKY, CHANEL IMAN, QUINCY BROWN RELEASE DATE: June 19, 2015 DIRECTOR/WRITER: Rick Famuyiwa PRODUCERS: Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Pharrell Williams, Michael Y. Chow, Rick Famuyiwa and David Lonner CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Sean Combs CO-PRODUCERS: Mimi Valdes and Caron Veazy
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“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” Win Top Awards at Sundance

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon is the Winner of the U. S. Grand Jury Prize – Dramatic and the Audience Award – U.S. Dramatic at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.

Accepting the award, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon said “I want to thank entire cast and crew actors, Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke, RJ Cyler, Connie Britton, Nick Offerman and Molly Shannon. This movie was about processing the loss and celebrate the life of a beautiful man, my father. So thanks again for this opportunity.”

The winners and awards of 2015 Sundance Film Festival

Winner of the Directing Award: U.S. Documentary:
Cartel Land, directed by Matthew Heinema

Winner of the Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic:
The Witch, directed by Robert Eggers

Winner of the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary:
The Wolfpack, directed by Crystal Moselle

Winner of the U. S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic:
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon

Winner of the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Social Impact:
3 ½ Minutes, directed by Marc Silver

Winner for U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Collaborate Vision:
Advantageous, directd by Jennifer Phang

Winner for U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Excellence in Editing:
Dope, edited by Lee Haugen

Winner of the Cinematography Award: U.S. Dramatic:
The Diary of a Teenage Girl, cinematography by Brandon Trost

Winner of the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic:
The Stanford Prison Experiment, screenplay by Tim Talbott

Winner of Audience Award: U.S. Documentary:
Meru, directed by Jimmy Chin and E. Chai Vasarhelyi

Winner of the Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic:
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon

Winner of the Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary:
Cartel Land, by Matthew Heineman

Winner of the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Break Out First Feature:
(T)error, directed by Lyric R. Cabral and David Felix Sutcliffe

Winner for U. S. Documentary Special Jury award for Verité Filmmaking:
Western, directed by Bill Ross and Turner Ross

Winner of the Audience Award: Best Of Next
James White, directed by Josh Mond

Winner of the Audience Award for World Cinema Dramatic:
Umrika, directed by Prashant Nair

Winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting:
The Second Mother, Regina Casé and Camila Márdila

Winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting:
Glassland, Jack Reynor

Winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Cinematography:
Partisan, Germain McMicking

Winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Directing Award:
The Summer of Sangaile, directed by Alanté Kavaïté

Winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize:
Slow West, directed by John Maclean

Winner of the World Cinema Documentary Editing Award:
How to Change the World, edited by Jim Scott

Winner of the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Impact:
Pervert Park, directed by Frida Barkfors and Lasse Barkfors

Winner of the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Unparalleled Access:
The Chinese Mayor, directed by Hao Zhou

Winner of the World Cinema Documentary Directing Award:
Dreamcatcher, directed by Kim Longinotto

Winner of the World Cinema Documentary Grand Jury Prize:
Russian Woodpecker, directed by Chad Gracia

Winner of the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize:
The Stanford Prison Experiment, directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez

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