NICE CROWD’s American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and Walmart’s Black & Unlimited have announced their ongoing collaboration to shine a spotlight on the vital role of Black men within their families and communities. This initiative is through the second annual Black & Unlimited Fatherhood Project content creators’ competition.
Following a successful debut at the 2023 ABFF held in Miami, this innovative program featured screenings, panel discussions, and interactive experiences. The Black & Unlimited Fatherhood Project is designed to showcase emerging directors in a creator’s competition, championing independent filmmaking while providing a platform to tell diverse stories about Black men as fathers.
This year’s program will feature premieres for the top three winners of the filmmaker competition, along with an onstage panel discussion involving a renowned artist and their child to delve into themes of fatherhood and familial relationships.
D.J. Vaughn, Multicultural Media & Content Lead at Walmart, expressed excitement about the partnership’s continuation, stating, “We’re honored to continue our partnership with the American Black Film Festival. Our collaboration in 2023 was a resounding success, and we are thrilled to spotlight the importance of Black fatherhood and the role of Black men in their families and communities. We look forward to another year of empowering emerging directors and highlighting stories about Black fatherhood to mainstream audiences.”
The winning films for the 2024 Black & Unlimited Fatherhood Project include:
After These Messages (World Premiere)
A single father, navigating university politics as a professor, faces a crucial decision between his job and supporting his daughter’s quest for authenticity, which jeopardizes their livelihood.
Director: Khalid Abdulqaadir
Writer: Khalid Abdulqaadir
Producers: Corey McCartney, Kevin Willmott, Talib Kweli, Khalid Abdulqaadir
Cast: Petey McGee, Sanaa Salaam
Duration: 26 minutes (USA)
Black Santa
Henry cherishes his role as a mall Santa, a job he shares with his son Otis. However, as Otis grows older, this may be their last holiday season working together.
Director: Travis Wood
Writers: Travis Wood, Weston Auburn
Producers: Gabriela Díaz Arp, Kiah Clingman
Cast: Theo Haddon, Andrew Tull, Michael Silverblatt
Duration: 10 minutes and 6 seconds (USA)
It Takes A Village (World Premiere)
Set in 1960s Georgia, Lawrence Cooke prepares his son, Isaiah, for the journey to manhood.
Director: Joshua Kissi
Writers: Joshua Kissi, Keyla McNeely
Producer: Kagan Sant
Cast: Jackson Abram, Michael Ealy, Nadine Ellis, Mccolm Cephas, Antonio Shamori Washington, Zakai Biagas-Bey, Jamald Gardner, Myron Primes, Newton N Mayenge
Duration: 13 minutes and 37 seconds (USA)
These winning films will receive industry mentorship, a $10,000 cash award each, and the opportunity to screen at the 2024 American Black Film Festival happening in Miami from June 12-16. Additionally, they will be featured on ABFF PLAY, the festival’s online platform, and Walmart’s Black and Unlimited YouTube page from June 17-24, reaching a global audience.