Trending...
- Fashion Icon Karl Kani Enters NIL Era with First-Ever Athlete Signing: King Kendrick
- New Advanced AI Voice Companion Offers Affordable Mental Health Support — When You Need It Most
- Mystery Meets Menu: New Cookbook Offers a Delicious Twist on Sherlock Holmes Adventures
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Californer -- The Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) will be making its return to the film festival circuit in Hollywood, CA., this October. Slated to run October 15-19, 2025, the festival will make its home at the W Hotel in Hollywood, and screenings will be held at the Harmony Gold Theater in Los Angeles.
The HBFF last appeared in 2017, a seven-year hiatus due to the pandemic and the untimely death of founder and entertainment guru, Tanya Kersey. The festival's new executive director, Jacqueline Blaylock (formally Director of Programming ), talks about the importance of finally bringing the festival back. "The HBFF is more than just a celebration. It is a crown jewel in the world of Black cinema, a living testament to the vision of our founder, Tanya Kersey." Blaylock continues, "Her blueprint laid the foundation for a festival that was not only impactful and relevant, but ever evolving, staying true to the heart of Black creative community."
More on The Californer
Although the festival will have a new advisory board, most of the past staff and directors are returning for the relaunch. Two notables are Tanya's daughters. Brittany and Monique Love who now serve Associate Directors for the festival after years of watching their mom work feverishly to produce such a great event. "Relaunching the HBFF is deeply personal for me. My mother, Tanya Kersey, founded this festival and dedicated her life to creating a space where Black filmmakers could be seen, heard, and celebrated," says Brittany Love. She also explains, "I am honored to carry forward the vision she built, ensuring that HBFF remains a powerful platform for Black storytelling." Monique Love has similar sentiments, "The HBFF has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I watched my mom pour her blood, sweat and tears into every year's festival. I carry this forward, not only for my mom's legacy, but for the filmmakers who deserve to be celebrated."
More on The Californer
In addition to festival screenings (feature, short and student films, documentaries and web series), the festival will also offer other entities including, The Storyteller Competition (showcases 10 finalists working with a team for script revisions, winning script is awarded a live stage reading), Infotainment Conference (panels and workshops The Pitchaton, Monologue Slam, MarketPlace & Job Fair, and KidsFest (showcase and opportunities aimed at the younger audience).
For more information regarding the festival, visit the website, http://www.thehbff.com or for film submissions, http://www.filmfreeway.com. For interviews with HBFF executives, directors or talent, contact L Group PR, lsmith@lgrouppr.com.
The HBFF last appeared in 2017, a seven-year hiatus due to the pandemic and the untimely death of founder and entertainment guru, Tanya Kersey. The festival's new executive director, Jacqueline Blaylock (formally Director of Programming ), talks about the importance of finally bringing the festival back. "The HBFF is more than just a celebration. It is a crown jewel in the world of Black cinema, a living testament to the vision of our founder, Tanya Kersey." Blaylock continues, "Her blueprint laid the foundation for a festival that was not only impactful and relevant, but ever evolving, staying true to the heart of Black creative community."
More on The Californer
- California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 5.30.25
- Terra Divine Launches Clean, Fragrance-Free Body Butter for Sensitive Skin and Eczema Relief
- California: Governor Newsom proclaims Foster Care Month 2025
- City of Long Beach Continues Rollout of Residential Organics Collection Program
- California: Over 300 firefighting and law enforcement graduates add to state's public safety force
Although the festival will have a new advisory board, most of the past staff and directors are returning for the relaunch. Two notables are Tanya's daughters. Brittany and Monique Love who now serve Associate Directors for the festival after years of watching their mom work feverishly to produce such a great event. "Relaunching the HBFF is deeply personal for me. My mother, Tanya Kersey, founded this festival and dedicated her life to creating a space where Black filmmakers could be seen, heard, and celebrated," says Brittany Love. She also explains, "I am honored to carry forward the vision she built, ensuring that HBFF remains a powerful platform for Black storytelling." Monique Love has similar sentiments, "The HBFF has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I watched my mom pour her blood, sweat and tears into every year's festival. I carry this forward, not only for my mom's legacy, but for the filmmakers who deserve to be celebrated."
More on The Californer
- Waterfront Toastmasters Celebrates Official Charter with Public Launch Party in West Sacramento
- Long Beach: City Provides Tips to Prevent Mosquito-Borne Diseases
- Annual Long Beach Walk4Hearing Empowers People with Hearing Loss on May 31
- City Unions Slam Mayor Lurie's Budget: "This is the budget Airbnb wants."
- Deadline Extended: More Time to Submit Your Proposal for the OpenSSL Conference 2025
In addition to festival screenings (feature, short and student films, documentaries and web series), the festival will also offer other entities including, The Storyteller Competition (showcases 10 finalists working with a team for script revisions, winning script is awarded a live stage reading), Infotainment Conference (panels and workshops The Pitchaton, Monologue Slam, MarketPlace & Job Fair, and KidsFest (showcase and opportunities aimed at the younger audience).
For more information regarding the festival, visit the website, http://www.thehbff.com or for film submissions, http://www.filmfreeway.com. For interviews with HBFF executives, directors or talent, contact L Group PR, lsmith@lgrouppr.com.
Source: L Group PR
Filed Under: Entertainment
0 Comments
Latest on The Californer
- Crypen Exchange Unveils Revamped Mobile App with Intelligent Strategy Features
- Slabu Exchange Enhances Platform Infrastructure with Intelligent Load Balancing
- Coxno Exchange Introduces Smart Compliance Documentation System for Global Regulatory Alignment
- Zopes Exchange Launches Global Knowledge Framework to Empower Digital Finance Learners
- Countrywide Fence Rental Expands its Temporary Fence Rental Business in Louisiana Area
- California: Ready for the summer: Governor Newsom announces lifesaving heat-ranking tool, invests $32 million to help communities combat extreme heat
- California: Governor Newsom proclaims Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- General Auction Company Announces Major Online Auction Event for June 13, 2025
- Flor de Caña and Danil Nevsky launched Sustainable Cocktail Tour in the U.S.
- Ventura College Foundation Distributes A Record $940,854 In Scholarships
- 6 Love Sports and Eight Sleep Announce Partnership Miami Women's Padel League Rebranded as the Eight Sleep Miami Women's Padel League by 6 Love Sports
- The TOBU RAILWAY X COFFEE PROJECT Supports Nikko Tourism and Fosters English Speaking Guides, Through November 27, 2026
- Al-Tabbaa & Hackett: Fixed Rates Improve For Savers
- Non-Citizen NY Travelers Face Extra Scrutiny at Local Airports: Attorney Robert Tsigler Featured in Gothamist
- $400 Million Run Rate in 2025 for Global Telcom Leader as a Result of Definitive Fintech Acquisition, Fast-Tracking $1 Billion Growth Plan: IQSTEL Inc
- Got a Game Idea? Gamers Home Turns Dreams Into Playable Prototypes in Minutes
- TidewindSportFishing.com Announces New Charter Boat Trips for Brookings Oregon Wild River Fishing Adventurers
- Chosen Launches Mobile Family Closet to Serve Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Families Across Southeastern Wisconsin
- New Release Explores Grit, Wit, and Appalachian Life in We Saved Ourselves, Kinda
- Napco Security Technologies, Inc. (NSSC) Investors Who Lost Money Have Opportunity to Lead Securities Fraud Lawsuit