Warner Bros. Brings Multi-Divisional Representation to Miami Beach in Support of 2019 American Black Film Festival
(June 11, 2019 – Burbank, CA) – Warner Bros. has expanded its presence at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) by becoming a Supporting Sponsor and activating across multiple business units, including human resources, film, television and its corporate responsibility platform, WB Good. The Studio has taken an approach in line with its company-wide commitment to supporting diverse talent in front of and behind the camera, telling representative stories and being an employer of professionals from all backgrounds.
In attendance will be representatives from Warner Bros. Pictures Multicultural Marketing, New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Television (WBTV), Warner Horizon Television, Talent Acquisition and Corporate Responsibility, whose WB Good brand will be featured with “Shaft” on co-branded host hotel key cards for festival attendees.
New Line Cinema’s action comedy “Shaft” will open ABFF on Wednesday, June 12 at the New World Center Performance Hall. Written by Kenya Barris (“Black-ish”) & Alex Barnow (“The Goldbergs”), the latest film in the popular franchise is directed by Tim Story (“Ride Along,” “Think Like a Man” franchises) and stars three generations of John Shaft: Samuel L. Jackson (“Glass”), Jessie T. Usher (“Independence Day: Resurgence”) and Richard Roundtree (“What Men Want”), along with Regina Hall (“Girls Trip”). John Davis produced the film, with Richard Brener, Josh Mack, Tim Story, Ira Napoliello, Kenya Barris and Marc S. Fischer serving as executive producers. “Shaft” will be in theaters nationwide June 14, 2019 and distributed in North America by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Warner Bros.’ Talent Acquisition team will highlight career opportunities during the ABFF Industry Expo on Thursday, June 13 between 3:00pm and 6:00pm in the Loews Miami Beach Hotel’s American Foyer. As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, Warner Bros. seeks to promote diverse talent in all capacities through investment and engagement. Festival participants are invited to stop by the Studio’s table to view content, better understand Warner Bros.’ work culture and discuss current or future professional aspirations.
On Friday, June 14, festival attendees will have an opportunity to learn from the talented team behind WBTV’s top shows at its Business of Entertainment Seminar, “See Yourself in the Work We Do.” Conceived by WBTV in collaboration with WB Good, this panel includes some of the biggest names in television production: Kevin Fortson (EVP, Production, Warner Horizon Television), Nafessa Williams (actress, “Black Lightning”), Kofi Siriboe (actor, “Queen Sugar”), Marvin “KRONDON” Jones III (actor, “Black Lightning ”), Dee Harris-Lawrence (showrunner, “David Makes Man”) and Odetta Watkins (EVP, Current Programs, Premium Cable & Streaming, Warner Bros. Television). Additionally, the discussion will highlight WB Good’s Access to Action program, which has placed production assistants on each of the productions represented on the panel. This seminar will run from 12:00pm to 1:30pm in Americana 1 at the Loews Hotel.
“ABFF’s annual event is an important platform for showcasing diverse and incredibly talented individuals, both in front of and behind the camera,” said Dee Dee Myers, EVP, Worldwide Corporate Communications & Public Affairs, Warner Bros. “At our core, we are a company committed to hiring, promoting, supporting and providing access to diverse talent across all parts of our business – corporate and creative.”
The ABFF runs from June 12-16.
About Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. is a global leader in all forms of entertainment and their related businesses across all current and emerging media and platforms. A WarnerMedia Company, the fully integrated, broad-based Studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD and Blu-ray, digital distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product and brand licensing, and broadcasting.
WB Good, Warner Bros.’ social impact brand and platform, reinforces the Studio’s commitment to inspiring young people to be storytellers, creating access and opportunity for new voices, and making stories sustainably through intentional nonprofit investments, robust programs and social impact initiatives. To learn more about these programs, visit www.wbgood.com.
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