Black Film Festival seeks the next great comedian

Film Life, Inc. has announced the launch of The Comedy Wings Competition, a national search to identify outstanding comedic talent. Submissions are now being accepted at abff.com.

One grand-prize winner will receive a trip to the 17th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in South Beach, June 19-23, and the opportunity to perform before the festival audience.

The Comedy Wings Competition has been created to showcase talented yet undiscovered comedians and introduce them to the industry at large. Organizers say the competition is looking for someone with a natural gift for comedy who can make us laugh through their unique interpretation of material, steered by physical mannerisms, vocal inflections, wit and effortless comedic timing.

SHOWCASE

“ABFF is providing an amazing platform for talent and The Comedy Wings Competition is a great initiative for emerging comedians to get recognition,” said comedian Kevin Hart. “I encourage comedians to submit their performance to this outlet to showcase their talent and follow their dreams.”

With the launch of The Comedy Wings Competition, ABFF continues to provide much needed opportunities for up and coming Black talent.

In addition to Kevin Hart, other notable comedians who performed at the festival early in their careers include Cedric the Entertainer, J.B. Smoove, Craig Robinson, Tommy Davidson, Earthquake, Bill Bellamy, Ricky Smiley, Sheryl Underwood and Chris Spencer.

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is a five-day retreat and international film market dedicated to strengthening the Black filmmaking community. Established in 1997, the core mission of the ABFF is to promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. Through its film showcases and special contests, it annually introduces the top echelon of emerging artists to the film and television industry.

The Comedy Wings Competition will be the second talent competition launched since the festival’s inception in 1997; the Star Project, designed for actors, was birthed in 2009 and has successfully served as a catalyst for its winners to break into the film and television industry.

“We work hard to spotlight new talent, both in front and behind the camera in innovative ways;” said Jeff Friday, ABFF Founder and CEO of Film Life, Inc. “The Comedy Wings Competition is an extension of this commitment and it is our goal to help exceptionally funny people break into the industry.”

SUBMISSIONS

Competition entrants are required to submit either a traditional stand-up comedy performance or a comedic sketch. The performance must be 3 to 4 minutes of original material authored by the entrant who must be 21 years or older and of African descent.  Submissions will be judged by a panel of ABFF and independent judges.