2009 INTERNATIONAL BLACK FILM FESTIVAL NASHVILLE INDUSTRY PANEL SERIES

2009 INTERNATIONAL BLACK FILM FESTIVAL NASHVILLE ANNOUNCES IT'S INDUSTRY PANEL SERIES
Top Industry Executives and Professionals Will Lead Top Notch Discussions During This Year's Festival

September 23, 2009

(Nashville, TN) The International Black Film Festival Nashville, (IBFFN) presents it's signature Industry Panel Series during the Festival, which runs September 30 - October 4, 2009 at the world-famous Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee. The IBFFN panel series will offer in-depth conversation, lively debate, and critical insight into a broad range of issues important to the independent filmmaking community. In addition to the impressive lineup of executives and industry professionals from Hollywood , New York and local communities. IBFFN will showcase 0ver 50+ films from the USA, South Africa, Senegal, and Ghana.

"We are extremely proud to have assembled some of the industries top professionals who will share their expertise with our filmmakers and festival audiences,” said Ingrid Brown, IBFFN Chief Operations Officer and Panel Series Producer. “This year, we've curated the panels to focus on a few key topics like the independent film climate and the role film plays in social change.” Filmmakers and festival guests will have a unique opportunity to network and get up and close with industry professionals. Highlighted workshops and featured guests are:

Diversity Initiatives In The Industry: Priority One
Panel highlights how entertainment and corporate entities around the globe are aggressively adopting diversity initiatives that could open doors for various projects.
10:45 a.m. – 11:45a.m.
Thursday, October 1
Presenters:
Max Siegel, Head of Diversity for NASCAR and Verity Records President
Ruth Paul, Official Representative for the Screen Actors Guild

A "Sound" Track Mind: Preparing Your Music for the Big Screen
This panel is designed for singers, songwriters, composers, musicians, and a filmmakers selecting music for their projects.
12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Friday, October 2
Presenters:
Max Gousse, Senior VP of A&R for Island/Def Music Group and Executive Producer for popular projects such as Beyonce Knowles' I am Sasha Fierce, and The Dream Girls Soundtrack
Jabari Ali, noted Music Supervisor for Laurence Fishburne's Bikers Boys, Tyler Perry's Daddy's Girls and Denzel Washington's Training Day, Donna Caldwell, former Music Supervisor for Paramount Pictures

Film Delivery Workshop
The Film Delivery Workshop provides valuable information for filmmakers on what comes next after the a distribution deal is received.
1:35 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Friday, October 2
Presenters:
Brett Dismuke , VP of Acquisitions and Urban Programming for One Village Entertainment
Eric Tomosunas, CEO/Producer of Swirl Films

Book Signing: “Family Affair: What It Means to be African American Today” with Celebrity Author Gil Robertson IV and Friends
“This thoughtful collection of short essays. organized into five themes (family, culture, relationships, community and self), contributors range from celebrities like Isaiah Washington and supermodel Beverly Johnson to education administration authority Ontario S. Wooden, while documentary filmmaker Muta'Ali Muhammad confesses his ambivalence toward "modern black women."
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday, September 30

“Hello Beautiful: Investing in Yourself Q&A”
Renown cosmetic surgeon shares how minor or major changes can improve your appearance and help boost your self-image and confidence with your budget in mind.
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Saturday, October 3
Presenter:
Dr. Nathaniel Johnson, cosmetic surgeon to the stars.

“Pitch Perfect: A Tutorial”
The popular workshop a prelude to the popular Fast Pitch Session, highlights the basic elements that industry executives look for in the first few seconds of the pitch
11:05am – 12:05am
Friday October 2
Presenters:
Angela Northington, Film Distribution Guru and Former VP of Acquisitions for Code Black Entertainment
Hal “Corky” Kessler, Entertainment Lawyer and Film Funding and Investment Expert

“From Passion To Profit”
This panel with top industry professionals will explore how independent filmmakers take their passions of filmmakers to create a business model. Panel will focus on how to secure funding to new hybrid-distribution and controlling your own destiny.
11:30am – 1:00pm
Saturday, October 3
Presenters:
Tangi Miller, Producer/Actor and CEO of Olivia Entertainment
Rashid Bahati, Founder and Executive VP of Acquisitions for Lead Dog Entertainment
Patrick Coleman, Professional Television/film Editor

IBFFN will also screen a host of groundbreaking films:

“Skin” - scheduled for its official national theatrical release on October 30, 2009, starring Academy Award Nominee, Sophie Okonedo is one of the most moving stories to emerge from apartheid South Africa is the story of a ten year old with distinct African American traits while her parents were white Afrikaners and did not know they had black ancestors until their child was born.

“My Girlfriend's Back” – starring Celebrity actress Tangi Miller and celebrity actor Malik Yoba is the story of how the "road less traveled" intrigues Derek Scott so much so that he considers throwing away his entire well orchestrated life to experience the one thing his plan has yet to provide...love.

“A Mother's Prayer” – scheduled for national DVD release in October 2009 starring Celebrity Actress Robin Givens, R&B Sensation Johnny Gill and Gospel and R&B Sensation Shirley Murdock will have it‘s official premiere as the Centerpiece film at the festival. Alvin Moore, playwright, singer/songwriter, a resident of Nashville, TN and graduate of Tennessee State University also stars in the stageplay as his signature character “Gramps” and also directs this heartfelt yet funny story of a family's struggles that lead them from heartache, pain and suffering to a place of healing.

“American Violet” – The Official Closing Night Film - starring Celebrity actress Alfre Woodard and Celebrity Actor Charles Dutton - Based on true events, this impressive new film tells one woman's story of abuse at the hands of a hostile legal system. For different reasons, it evokes such past films as Erin Brockovich, Mississippi Burning, and the works of Sidney Poitier in the Civil Rights era. American Violet tells the story of legal injustice and systemic, institutionalized racism -- and the struggle to overcome such prejudice.

"Kiss and Tail" – Explores the darkest corners of the groupie lifestyle, follows young girls who use sex to get closer to hip-hop and rap artists. The often grim investigation offers insights from the young women such as video vixen Karrine Steffans who have slept their way into careers as background dancers, and commentary from top hip-hop stars such as Big Boi and Ja Rule.

For a complete list of workshops and screenings go to www.ibffnashville.com under festival tab for dates and scheduled times.

IBFFN officially commences on Wednesday, September 30th and ends on Sunday, October 4th. The new festival host site is the breathtaking Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center and Regal Cinema Opry Mills 20 & IMAX.

The IBFFN is made possible in part with by our valued sponsors; Delta Airlines, The Film House, The Documentary Channel, HCA, The Cultural Services of the French Embassy, One Village Entertainment, the Africa Channel, The Tennessee Arts Commission, The TN Film, Entertainment and Music Commission, The Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, IBIS Communications, Booker and White Law and The Screen Actors Guild. IBFFN would like to welcome their growing list of new sponsors, Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center and Regal Cinema Opry Mills 20 & IMAX, Comcast, TV One, Broadway Video, B-Side, Nissan, Infiniti, Dell , Inc., and the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce. With the support of our corporate partners, the community and its leadership the International Black Film Festival of Nashville is on course to becoming one of the top festivals in the country.

Over the next few weeks please expect updates, highlights and exciting announcements. If you would like to setup an interview, obtain media credentials, and/or request information in regards to the bios, photos, and film synopsis, please contact Jessica Johnson at (615) 417-8306 or via email atjessica@ibffnasvhille.comor Sherlene Shanklin at (502) 295-0435 or via e-mail atsshanklin@vippcommunications.com.

Please check out our new website for up to the minute updates and information about the International Film Festival of Nashville at: www.ibffnashville.com.