On October 28, 2007 Film Life’s 11th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced the winners of their independent film awards today to a standing room only crowd in the Beverly Ballroom of the Sofitel Hotel. The ABFF is the premier international marketplace for films that showcase the best new work by and about people of African descent. HBO® is the festival’s founding and title sponsor.

ABFF’s competitions reward excellence in independent Black cinema. With the support of major U.S. corporations, the festival awards cash and other prizes valued in the six figures. The award winners are as follows:

HBO Short Film Award, Presented by HBO: "The Second Coming"
Directed by Ya’ke

Audience Award for Best U.S. Feature presented by Blockbuster: "I’m through with White Girls"
Directed by Jennifer Sharp

Heineken Red Star Award for Creativity: "South of Pico"
Directed by Ernst Gossner

Allstate Beyond February “Be Reel Contest Winner" Presented by Allstate: "Give Along the Way"
Written and Directed by Alrick Brown

Best Documentary (tie):
"Black to our Roots"
Directed by Tre “Subira” Whitlow

"Prince Among Slaves"
Directed by Andrea Kalin & Bill Duke Director of Re-Creations

Grand Jury Prize for Best Screenplay presented by Allstate:
"Mansfield 12"
Written by Alton Glass

Grand Jury Prize for Best Actor: Henry Simmons

Grand Jury Prize for Best Director: Craig Ross, Jr.

Grand Jury Prize for Best Picture, Presented by Kodak: "South of Pico"
Directed by Ernst Gossner

“The independent films we screen each year at the festival are our anchor. We are so pleased to have had such a great line up and a good cross section of stories and themes,” said Jeff Friday, founder/CEO of Film Life, Inc.