Tanya Kersey, Founder & Executive Director of the Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) announced today that the organization will host three FREE Events to the public at this year’s festival, October 26-28, 2012 at The W Hotel, 6250 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028, the host hotel and venue for the festival’s events. “The Hollywood Black Film Festival is excited to offer 3 events which are free to the public,” said Kersey. These events are free, but they do require tickets which you can get athttp://hollywoodblackfilmfestival.eventbrite.com
Here is the schedule for the free events which will feature casting director, Twinkie Byrd, Syndicated Radio and TV host, Michael Baisden and Columbia Pictures Executive, DeVon Franklin.
Friday, October 26 at 4:00 PM
Monologue Slam with Twinkie Bryd and Celebrity Friends
Watch actors show off their acting skills by performing a 1-minute monologue of their choice in front of a panel of judges and LA’s entertainment industry. The panel will offer feedback to the actor and give them notes on improving their audition. Led by Celebrity Casting Director, Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd of In the Twink of an Eye Casting (Sparkle, Jumping the Broom, Notorious). It’s free to watch an its always SRO! A separate Monologue Slam registration is required to audition. You can register to audition, space permitting, athttps://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e6eop4dd45fb7325&oseq=.
Register to watch the auditions at http://hbffmonologueslam.eventbrite.com. Space is limited.
Saturday, October 27 at 7:00 PM
Michael Baisden presents the HBFF Storyteller Competition Live Staged Reading
This event will feature live stage reading of the 3 finalist scripts in the festival’s storyteller competition. Hosted by radio personality Michael Baisden, the readings will be directed by veteran stage director/writer/producer Don Welch (“The Bachelor Party” and “The Bachelorette Party”) and performed by celebrity actors.
Register at http://hbffstoryteller.eventbrite.com/.
Sunday, October 28 at 11:30 AM
Faith in Films: A Conversation with DeVon Franklin,
You’ve seen him on “Super Soul Sunday” with Oprah Winfrey, now producer and preacher DeVon Franklin take centerstage at the Hollywood Black Film Festival’s Infotainment Conference In Faith in Film: A Conversation with DeVon Franklin sponsored by Wells Fargo.
Ten years ago DeVon started in the business as an assistant and today he is a rarity: an African-American studio executive at the forefront of Hollywood. He currently serves as Vice President of Production for Columbia Pictures, a division of Song Pictures Entertainment where he oversaw the remake of one of the summer’s biggest hits, The KarateKid, starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith, which grossed over $350 million worldwide. He also worked on The Pursuit of Happiness and Hancock starring Will Smith, the faith-based hit Not Easily Broken, produced by Bishop T.D. Jakes and Jumping the Broom starring Angela Bassett and Paula Patton.
In this up-and-close and personal conversation, DeVon sits down with Tanya Kersey, HBFF Founder/Executive Director to discuss Faith in Films, the secret to successfully balancing life in Hollywood and faith. Following the discussion, DeVon will be signing copies of his book, Produced by Faith.
Register for “A Conversation With DeVon Franklin” at http://hbff2012-faith-in-film-with-devon-franklin.eventbrite.com/
For more information on the 2012 Hollywood Black Film Festival, and see a full line up of events, visit www.hbff.org.For press credentials, contact Edna Sims at espublicrelations@gmail.com no later than Monday, October 22, 2012.