The Atlanta HipHop Film Festival Returns and Announces Call for Entries

Keep On and Ya Don’t Stop

The Atlanta HipHop Film Festival Returns and Announces “Call for Entries”

ATLANTA – January 23, 2007- The Atlanta HipHop Film Festival (AHFF), presented by Creative Circle Entertainment, is now accepting submissions to compete in one of the fastest growing, highly anticipated, and most innovative film festivals of its kind. AHFF, which will take place August 24-26, 2007, celebrates HipHop and its impact on film and music videos by providing a platform for independent filmmakers and music directors to showcase their projects. “The submission process is definitely one of our favorite parts of producing the AHFF. Accepting and reviewing films from across the world gives us the opportunity to screen interesting, informative and entertaining projects. Each year, the film quality and content surpasses the previous year and are more creative, so we encourage and challenge all filmmakers to step outside the box by capturing their vision for all to see,” states Shameka Gumbs, the Founder.

In 2005, the festival’s inaugural year, 45 films were screened which included international submissions from South Africa, Canada, and Italy. Several entries from 2005 went on to receive distribution deals through Warner Brothers, HBO and Maverick Platinum Entertainment Group.

Last year, AHFF received a record-breaking 78 submissions and screened 37 projects, including 2 feature films, 4 shorts, 3 music videos and 28 premieres. Additionally, AHFF was selected for the world premiere of the critically acclaimed HipHop documentary, “Starz InBlack Original, ‘Dead Prez: It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop.” 2006 entrant, Byron Hurt, screened “Beyond Beats & Rhymes,” which makes its national broadcast premiere February 20, 2007 at 10:00 pm on PBS. “The Sun Will Rise” snagged the Best Short award and was presented an apprenticeship by Roger Bobb, Vice President of Film and Television Production for the Tyler Perry Company. Rahiem Shabazz, talented hip-hop journalist, filmmaker, and the film’s Executive Producer and writer, accepted the apprenticeship. “Winning has changed my life tremendously by affording me the opportunity to be on the set of Tyler Perry’s upcoming release, ‘Daddy’s Little Girls.’ Roger Bobb and Tyler Perry were approachable, kind and extremely supportive by showing me the finer points essential to producing a big-budget film. This experience has intensified my film aspiration and I will always give thanks to the Atlanta HipHop Film Festival for awarding me the opportunity,” resolves Shabazz. And the Audience Choice winner, Monique Woods, for her submission, “Finally Sayin’ What I Really Mean” has been traveling the world screening her film internationally from London to Jamaica. Turning out for the second annual festival were some of the biggest names in hip-hop and Hollywood including: Christopher “Play” Martin, Bowlegged Lou, Davey D, Toni Blackmon, Professor Griff, Too Short, DJ Wiz, Killer Mike, Block Entertainment, Raz B, Freddie P, Baby D, DJ Jelly, Tricky Stewart, Antonio Reid Jr., and Vernon Cassius Weathersby. The awards show was also honored with the attendance of the cast from “Stomp the Yard,” which included Darrin Henson, Meagan Good, Columbus Short, Laz Alonso, Jermaine Williams and Brian White.

This year, the festival predicts over 2,000 attendees to fill one of Atlanta’s largest entertainment venues, The Georgia International Convention Center, for three days of film screenings, panels, workshops and their most-talked about awards show.

Deadlines for 2007 submissions are as follows:

Early Deadline: $25.00 Entry fee for submissions postmarked by February 9, 2007

Late Deadline: $40.00 Entry fee for submissions postmarked by March 9, 2007

About AHFF

HipHop has captured the fascination of young people from New York City’s South Bronx parks in the 70’s to the bullet trains of Tokyo today. These youth can be seen and heard expressing themselves through the language, fashion and music that are HipHop culture. The Atlanta HipHop Film Festival is dedicated to creating an event that encompasses all these elements mentioned bonded by the common thread of social responsibility to ensure positive, beneficial messages are conveyed to HipHop’s invaluable on-screen audience.

AHFF’s Mission
To allow aspiring entertainers, an avenue to reach the masses with their product and skills, providing exposure and networking opportunities for all those within the film industry. In addition, we will celebrate and embrace the collaboration of HipHop meeting film by awarding upcoming and established filmmakers, as well as known HipHop artists for their outstanding accomplishments. Lastly, our festival foundation will support art indiscriminately and provide education in the form of seminars to empower entrepreneurs with the adequate skills to prosper in their given industry.

The 3rd Annual Atlanta HipHop Film Festival takes place April 24-26, 2007. For more information and submission guidelines, visit www.AtlHipHopFilmFest.com or call (877) ATL-HHFF. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact LaKisha Smith at (770) 896-7718 and Chantell Welch at (404) 583-3578 or email sponsorship@atlhiphopfilmfest.com.