American Black Film Festival CEO Jeff Friday interview

Jeff Friday celebrates 14 years of the American Black Film Festival with Mr. Media!

Leading what he calls a quiet revolution, Friday has transformed his passion for film and television into a preeminent entertainment enterprise that is changing the face of Hollywood. His company, Film Life, Inc., has made a major impact on the motion picture industry and is positioned to become the leading American brand offering Black movies, television and digital entertainment content. The company’s mantra, “Because Hollywoodn’t,” best expresses the ethos that has impelled Film Life to take succeed.

Friday entered the film business in 1996 when he became president of UniWorld Films, a division of UniWorld Group, Inc. His success there put him at the forefront of the independent Black film movement and solidified his commitment to transform the business of Black cinema. Under his direction, the company founded the Acapulco Black Film Festival and assisted studios in marketing movies to the African American audience, including DreamWorks’ film release, Amistad. The Acapulco Black Film Festival moved stateside in 2002 and became the American Black Film Festival (ABFF).

This year’s festival is scheduled for June 23-26 in Miami. ABFF website

Friday is also the creator and executive producer of the Black Movie Awards, a star-studded award ceremony celebrating Black cinema.

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