International Black Film Festival of Nashville Kicks Off Tomorrow

IBFFN OPENING GALA

Omarosa in attendance..

SPONSORED BY TV ONE and COMCAST

Join IBFFN, TV One and Comcast for an exclusive industry party with special guest, Omarosa, currently featured in the new TV One series Life After, and formerly on NBC’s series Apprentice. TV One will showcase a sneak peek of Life After.

When: Wedneday, September 30, 2009 at 9 pm

Where: Miro District Food & Drink  1922 Adelicia [across from Boundry and South Street]

Donation: $20 [can be secured at www.ibffnashville.com or at the door]

The International Black Film Festival of Nashville is happening from September 30 to October 4 — The Biggest and Best Year Ever
2009 INTERNATIONAL BLACK FILM FESTIVAL NASHVILLE ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST EVER MUSIC FILM SERIES

At Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Regal Opry Mills Cinemas

Featuring the Nashville Premiere of the Award winning film on Legendary Music Artist Bill Withers “Still Bill” and Closing-Night Party after-Music Screening Events..

International Black Film Festival Nashville (BFFN) announces its first-ever music film series featuring two outstanding films which explorer musical icons, during this years film festival, September 30 – October 4, 2009 at the at the world-famous Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Regal Opry Mills Cinemas, Nashville, Tennessee.

The IBFFN is proud to present “Still Bill” in its Nashville premiere the film about legendary music artist Bill Withers and “Dirty: One Word Can Change the World” on the life of popular Hip-Hop group, Wu Tang Clans founder, O’l Dirty Bustard (ODB). The music series will be held at the Regal Opry Mills Cinemas Saturday October 3 starting 7:00pm. The film screenings will include filmmaker Q&A with filmmakers. Screening and Closing Night party tickets are available on-line at www.ibffnashville.com.

“Music fans will love seeing this film “Still Bill” featuring one of the all time musical greats, Mr. Bill Withers, during this year’s festival,” said Hazel Joyner-Smith the IBFFN executive director. “Additionally, we are excited to present on one of the Hip-Hops world’s most iconic figures ODB – from Wu Tang Clan and the film “Dirty: One Word Can Change the World.”

The series begins with the screening of Still Bill and immediately followed by Dirty: One Word Can Change the World.

STILL BILL
Saturday, October 3
7:00 p.m.
2009 USA 78 minutes
Best known for “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean on Me,” Bill Withers topped the charts, and then stopped performing in 1985. The makers of “Still Bill” wanted to know why. Combining old performances and intense interviews with Withers, the film reveals how the artist started as a musician relatively late in life. After careers in the Navy and assembling airplane toilets, he eventually won three Grammys. But facing the pressure from record execs to promote himself, he retreated into his Hollywood mansion and stopped making music. Now, with his children grown, he is ready to begin again, on his own terms. Even at 70 years old, as he sits on his porch and describes his goals, it’s evident that Bill Withers is oblivious to fame and still happy about it.

Directors: Damani Baker, Alex Vlack
Producers: Damani Baker, John Fine, Alex Vlack
Executive Producers: Alex Vlack, Andrew Jackerman
Cinematographers: Damani Baker, Jon Fine, Ed Marritz
Cast: Bill Withers, Cornel West, Tavis Smiley, Jim James, Angelique Kidjo

DIRTY: ONE WORD CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
Saturday, October 3
9: 30 p.m.
2009 USA 55 minutes
This is a personal tribute by the filmmaker to one of the most enigmatic, controversial and tragic figures in hip-hop music history, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, or just ODB for those in the know. During his years with the legendary Wu-Tang Clan, he became famous for his slurred, half-sung, half-rapped delivery of bizarre lyrics, which personified the raw, unadulterated and innovative style of the group. His own solo career was at once celebrated and fraught with legal troubles and eventually, his death by overdose. Featuring members of the Wu-Tang Clan, the Brooklyn Zu and many others, this film celebrates the life of a genius madman who lived life without any breaks.

Director, Producer, Cinematographer: Rasion Allah
Cast: Ghostface, Meth, RZA, Raekwon, Masta Killa, ODB’s parents, Rasion Allah

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About International Black Film Festival Nashville
The International Black Film Festival of Nashville (IBFFN), established in 2006, is a collaboration of dedicated professionals who support the need for a “community” effort to bring African-American and other Communities together to showcase their work as emerging and skilled independent filmmakers, actors, composers, screenwriters, directors and other film industry professionals.

“Defining Our Stories, Transforming the Image” as its organizational theme, IBFF strives to insure culturally accurate depictions in film with special emphasis on providing a forum for unheard, unseen and unknown viewpoints, and to showcase the rich creativity and diversity found in communities of color locally, nationally and internationally.

More Info: www.ibffnashville.com

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 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 Entertainment, Nissan, Infiniti, the Tennessee Arts Commission, 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.

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 at jessica@ibffnasvhille.com or Sherlene Shanklin at (502) 295-0435 or via e-mail at  sshanklin@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.