Watch ABFF Independent

ABFF Independent was a television show that aired on ASPiRE in 2012. The show featured a range of independent films and documentaries from the American Black Film Festival (ABFF). The ABFF is an annual festival that celebrates African-American cinema, and ABFF Independent aimed to showcase some of the festival's most exciting and thought-provoking films.

The show was hosted by David Banner, a rapper, actor, and philanthropist, who provided an introduction and commentary for each film. Banner's role was to offer viewers some context and insights into the various films being screened, and to share his own thoughts and reactions to each one.

The films featured on ABFF Independent covered a wide range of themes and subjects. Some were fictional narratives, exploring issues such as race, identity, family, and relationships. Others were documentaries, shining a light on real-life events and people, and exploring social and political issues affecting the African-American community.

One of the standout films on the series was a documentary called The Contradictions of Fair Hope. The film examined the complex history of the Fair Hope Benevolent Society, a mutual aid organization that was founded by newly freed slaves in Alabama in the late 19th century. The film explored the society's role in providing a safety net for its members and the wider community, and the tensions that arose as the society adapted to changing times and pressures.

Another notable film was a fictional drama called The Last Fall. The film told the story of an ex-NFL player who returns home to live with his mother and reassess his life after being cut from his team. The film explored themes of masculinity, fatherhood, and identity, as the protagonist wrestled with the challenges of starting a new life outside the game he had devoted his life to.

ABFF Independent also featured films that were more experimental in nature. For example, the show screened a film called An Oversimplification of Her Beauty, which blended live-action footage, animation, and spoken word poetry to explore the complexities of love and relationships.

Overall, ABFF Independent provided a platform for some of the most exciting and innovative voices working in African-American cinema at the time. The show exposed audiences to a wide range of stories and perspectives, and was particularly valuable in showcasing independent films that might not have received mainstream distribution.

ABFF Independent also had a strong online presence, with a dedicated website that provided additional content and context for each episode. The website featured interviews with filmmakers, behind-the-scenes footage, and previews of upcoming films.

In addition, ABFF Independent was supported by a range of sponsors and partners, including HBO, Cadillac, and McDonald's. These partnerships helped to raise the profile of the show and the ABFF more broadly, and provided opportunities to connect with audiences both on and off screen.

In conclusion, ABFF Independent was a valuable showcase for independent African-American cinema at the time of its broadcast. The show provided a platform for a range of innovative and thought-provoking films, and helped to bring the work of emerging and established filmmakers to a wider audience. With its online presence and strong partnerships, ABFF Independent was also a model for how to engage audiences and build a supportive ecosystem around independent cinema.