The Film Life and HBO American Black Film Festival: 10th Anniversary Flows with Passion
Kimatni D. Rawlins, 08.01.06
Miami Beach in July is always a good place to be. For it is in July that Film Life’s annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) takes place. The ABFF endeavors to direct more awareness and offer increased opportunities for those in Black and urban cinema. Backed by a strong supporting cast of sponsors including HBO and Wal-Mart; and a cadre of tier one brands such as Lincoln, Eastman Kodak Company, Boost Mobile, AXE Bodyspray, Blockbuster and Time Warner, the ABFF was able to empower its independent filmmakers, directors, actors/actresses, and special guests with the knowledge needed to become successful in the film world.
As the leader in international offerings for Black cinema, the ABFF comprises nine competitions and six film categories, and gives out over $200,000 in prizes. “These awards are an invaluable method through which the industry gives its nod to distinguished, talented independent filmmakers,” said Jeff Friday, co-founder of the ABFF.
On the automotive scene, Lincoln hosted its “Define Lincoln Luxury” contest which challenged filmmakers to produce 30 to 60 second spots communicating their rendition of Lincoln luxury. Javier Prato took home $10,000 in cash and a two-year lease on a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr for his winning commercial. “ABFF provides an outstanding platform to showcase the many innovative and original perspectives of the Black experience,” Said Tom Grill, Lincoln Brand Manager. In addition to Lincoln’s film competition, the luxury auto division of Ford also shuttled guests around town in Navigator SUVs and hosted a vehicle display at the Loews Hotel with a customized Zephyr and the aggressive 2007 DUB Navigator L with its 26” chrome rims.
On the actual film side of the ABFF, a special screening was held for the world premiere of Shadowboxer with Cuba Gooding, Jr. and for the festival premiere, Crossover, which explores the gritty play of street hoops.
Notable participants of this year’s festival included Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Robert Townsend, Cuba Gooding Jr., Chris Spencer, Anthony Mackie, Eriq La Salle, Guy Torry, John Singleton and many others. Visit www.ABFF.com and www.LincolnLounge.com for more information.
FLAGSHIP RANGE ROVER UPGRADED WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY AND AN ENHANCED INTERIOR for 2007
IRVINE, Calif., August 17, 2006 – Land Rover, the most prestigious name in sport utility vehicles, enters 2007 with the freshest and most complete luxury range ever, rising sales and a growing family.
Last year, the flagship Range Rover benefited from two new engine options, including a 400-horsepower Supercharged V8. This year, a thoroughly redesigned cabin brings major gains in convenience, enhanced climate control, added comfort, and an improved interior appearance. Land Rover’s exclusive Terrain Response™ system, first introduced on the LR3 is now standard on all Range Rover models.
Range Rover
Land Rover’s most luxurious and complete offering blends renowned on- and off-road breadth of capability with the industry’s most sumptuous interiors. Comfort and capability both rise this year thanks to a comprehensively redesigned cabin. Twin glove boxes, new cup holders, and an improved center console enhance convenience. The new dash, which is more attractively finished with premium wood and metal trim, features more intuitively positioned and improved switchgear. Side airbags have been relocated to the seat backs for better performance, the passenger-side frontal airbag has been redesigned, and there’s a new driver's knee airbag to help protect the driver from collision injury. The new climate control system has expanded capacity for better comfort with lower noise. Cooled-air ventilated front seats are a new option (standard on Supercharged model) while heated seats are now standard on all models.
Land Rover’s patented Terrain Response™ system is a new Range Rover feature in 2007. The driver simply turns a knob to a choice of five settings to tailor the powertrain, suspension, and electronic systems to the particular off-road driving conditions. An electronic rear differential is now standard on the Supercharged model and available as an option with the naturally aspirated V8.
The fully equipped naturally aspirated Range Rover HSE is priced at $77,250 while the Supercharged model costs $92,750*.
Land Rover vehicles are available from 175 Land Rover retailers in the U.S., including 92 exclusive Land Rover Centres – a distinctive retail concept which employs the brand’s values in facility design and operating philosophy to distinguish it from traditional car dealerships.
*Prices noted are MSRP and include a $715 destination and delivery charge. Prices are subject to change.
