2021 ABFF CONTENT PIPELINE INITIATIVES

For more than two decades, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has produced content pipeline initiatives to support the next generation of writers, directors and producers in the film and television industry. These initiatives identify up-and-coming as well as experienced artists with unique points of view that build upon the festival’s commitment to telling stories that reflect the vast diversity of our audiences. Through its partnership with Jeff Friday Media (JFM) and other major production companies and distributors, Black and Brown artists are introduced to the industry at large and receive financial grants, development/production support and distribution for their work. Below is a summary of the 2021 Content Pipeline Initiatives. See the Rules & Terms section for all eligibility criteria.

ABFF TV SERIES INITIATIVE - The American Black Film Festival in association with Jeff Friday Media (JFM), Endeavor Content (EC) and POV present the 2021 TV Series Initiative. The program is designed to give creators of color the opportunity to develop and produce premium scripted television series. Interested creators are encouraged to submit for consideration to this initiative by December 31, 2021. The creators of selected submissions will have the opportunity to pitch to JFM, EC and POV executives to have their unscripted TV series project considered for development and production. See the Rules & Terms section for eligibility criteria.

ABFF FEATURE SCREENPLAY INITIATIVE - The American Black Film Festival in association with and Jeff Friday Media (JFM) present the 2021 Feature Screenplay Initiative. This year’s program is focused on Black and Brown writers/directors, promoting the production of screenplays in the comedy, horror, thriller and romance genres that can be turned into original feature-length theatrical movies.

Interested writers/directors are encouraged to submit a feature-film script for consideration to this program by December 31, 2021. Selected projects will receive development support from executives at JFM to craft a feature-film pitch to be presented to Sony Pictures Entertainment as part of JFM’s first look motion picture deal with the studio. The pitch developed for this partnership, if sold, will grant the selected writer/director a two-step WGA deal. See the Rules & Terms section for eligibility criteria.

Awards & Prizes

Please note, the ABFF Content Pipeline Initiatives are development programs, not competitions. Awards and prizes are not applicable.

Rules & Terms

Below outlines the eligibility criteria, rules and terms for each of the two 2021 ABFF Content Pipeline Initiatives.

ABFF TV SERIES INITIATIVE
1. Open to U.S. and international writers/directors/producers of African descent
2. Entrants must be 18 years old or older
3. TV series concepts must be in the English language
4. Submission to include:
- a 1-3 page original TV series treatment (.pdf file)
- an 8-10 episode series bible (.pdf file)
- the screenplay of your pilot episode, no more than 60 pages in length (.pdf file)
- a signed ABFF TV Series Initiative Release Form. Download the release form at: https://www.abff.com/miami/content-pipeline-initiatives/

ABFF FEATURE SCREENPLAY INITIATIVE
1. Open to U.S. and international writers/directors of African descent
2. Entrants must be 18 years old or older
3. Screenplays must be in the English language, in the genres of comedy, horror, thriller or romance.
4. Submission to include:
- an original feature screenplay, 99-119 pages in length (.pdf file)
- a 1 paragraph synopsis and 1-page treatment of the film (.pdf file)
- a look book (a visual reference of the creative vision for the film in .pdf format)
- a directors reel (a link to a standard digital video file, protected by a password)
- a signed ABFF Feature Screenplay Initiative Release Form. Download the release form at: https://www.abff.com/miami/content-pipeline-initiatives/