Posted by | Ray Cornelius
ASPiRE’s acclaimed original series ABFF Independent, a weekly two-hour show that presents the best independent shorts and documentaries from emerging black artists, returns for a third season with six all-new episodes. Hosted by acclaimed actor/poet Omari Hardwick (Sparkle, “Power”), ABFF Independent premieres on Monday, October 6 at 8:00 p.m. EDT.
“With our partner ABFF, we are thrilled to present the bold third season of ‘ABFF Independent,’ returning with new talent and new themes, such as A History of Strength, Love Lessons and Out of This World sci-fi,” said Paul Butler, general manager, ASPiRE. “In the last two seasons, the series has exclusively debuted over 90 short films and documentaries from fresh African-American voices. Season 3 brings that number to 130 short films and documentaries. We are proud to provide a continuing spotlight for these exciting independent projects.”
Hardwick, ABFF Independent host, actor and poet, said, “Beautiful people, lovely fans, we are more than humbled to bring you another season of ASPiRE’s precocious baby, ‘ABFF Independent.’ We believe season 3 will undoubtedly prove to be a charm…with a wonderful line up of interesting, dynamic range filled stories brought to you by equally dynamic story tellers both male & female! Let’s go!”
Monday, October 6th at 8:00 p.m. EDT
ABFF Independent – Episode entitled: “A Family Affair” – Features heartwarming stories of love between a father and son; sacrifice between a husband and wife; anger between a mother and daughter, absence between a mother and son and tenderness between the people we call family. The eight new works in this episode include:
· Sleeping by Doug Conant – A coming-of-age tale about a young girl’s unusual babysitting experience, and the unexpected life lesson she learns along the way.
· Bounce by Natalia Iyudin – A moving story of a young boy who stays home alone while his mother works two jobs and the friend he makes that eases his loneliness.
· A Love Supreme by Evan Houston – After 12 years in prison, former high school basketball star Saul returns to his old neighborhood hopeful to meet his daughter, Abigail, for the first time. When Saul learns that the young girl is unaware of his existence, he struggles to decide what role he will now play in her life.
· Jackie by Tamika R. Guishard – A match between Mother and Daughter: At stake? A boy’s life.
· Junior & The Saint by Lamont Stephens – After his wife leaves him, a champion prize fighter must split his time between training for the biggest fight of his life and being a single parent to his six-year-old son.
· Little Boy Wonder by Omari Hardwick – A moving tribute to Trayvon Martin performed through poetry by Hollywood talent. Stars: Omari Hardwick, Marlon Wayans (A Haunted House 2), Gary Dourdan (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”), David Oyelowo (The Butler), Eriq La Salle (“ER”), Bill Duke (Not Easily Broken)
· Nostalgia by Johnnie Hobbs III – An aging entertainer who can’t let go of the past deals with the regrets of his life while remembering the passion for his wife and dance career while handling his son’s resentment. Star: Dule Hill (“Psych”)
Monday, October 13th at 8:00 p.m. EDT
ABFF Independent – Episode entitled: “Out of This World” – Features stories of the supernatural, folk tales, conjuring, souls living in purgatory and what life would look like in the future without water. Edgy and smart – like the acclaimed series “Twilight Zone” – these stories may keep you up at night. The six new works in this episode include:
· Hear Me by Michael Kenn – When a tortured composer receives cryptic text messages on the one-year anniversary of his fiance’s disappearance, he embarks on a hunt for answers that leads him directly to her. Star: Robinne Lee (“Being Mary Jane”)
· Tailypo by Reggie Lamar Ford – “Tailypo” is an adaptation of an old African American/Appalachian region folktale about a hunter and his dog haunted by a red-eyed monster seeking revenge for its eaten tail.
· Wake by Bree Newsome – A repressed woman murders her domineering father, freeing herself to pursue her heart’s desire. Using a local folk magic called “root work”, she conjures a demon to aid her in creating the man of her dreams – but soon finds herself in a waking nightmare.
· Midway by Darius Clark Monroe – Several black men of various ages work in a barbershop and await important news.
· Prospect by Derrick Perry – A photographer who has lost his inspiration meets an engaging stranger who sparks a new vision for him in his work.
· Chains by Sharon Lewis – A woman tries to grow a flower under the ground. Star: Melanie Nicholls-King (“The Wire”)
ABFF Independent is executive produced by Jeff Friday, and Sean Joell Johnson and Ralph Scott of LeftCenter Entertainment, Inc. ASPiRE and the series both launched on June 27, 2012.
Photo Credit: ASPiRE