Monday, November 3rd at 8:00 p.m. EDT
ABFF Independent – Episode entitled: “Hope
Floats” – This episode’s six hopeful films
include:
Thula – 15 Min. – Two friends struggle to
find peace and forgiveness across continents
as they navigate their roles as blood
daughter, surrogate daughter, and best
friends.
Jahmela Biggs – Director – Writer, Producer
and Actress, Jahmela Biggs received her
BA from Spelman College and Master’s in
Fine Arts from the American Conservatory
Theater. Since graduating she has written,
co-stared and produced the short film
Thula(Official Selection of Cannes Short
Corner Film Festival, Durban International
& the Pan African Film Festival), the hit
series First now airing on Issa Rae’s YouTube
channel and the comedic web series Debt
Collectors. Jahmela’s also held leading and
guest starring in numerous films, TV shows
and regional theaters.
From Prison to NYU – 14 Min. – A short
documentary that showcases one man’s shot
at successfully redeeming himself against
all the odds. It’s a documentary about the
determination and love that motivated an
African American man to make the journey
from incarceration to education.
Christine Pigott – Director - Christine Pigott
11
It’s Christ Or Nothing
is a Brooklyn born multi-skilled director whose
passion lies in making films that relate to
urban social issues. She has found her niche
in making documentaries that shine light on
issues relevant to African-American culture and
lifestyle. Her most recent documentary, ‘From
Prison to NYU,’ which was featured at the 2012
African American Women in Cinema Festival, is
about a young African American man’s journey
from incarceration to education. It’s a story
of hope, determination, and love. Christine’s
goal is to create shows and documentaries that
reveal issues, inspire action, and encourage
self-reflection.
I’d Rather Be Dancing – 30 Min. – A
paralyzed African American dance diva, now
wife and mother, confronted by her ex-lover/
dance partner, who shows her that the spirit
of a dancer doesn’t die with the use of her
legs. The bitter choice between her family, her
lover and an artistically fulfilling life from her
wheelchair, make this decision an intensely
poignant spiritual battle between the three
great loves of her life. IRBD is a soul searching
look at what keeps us bound in our lives
mentally, emotionally or physically and is a
heartwarming testament to the human spirit.
Yvonne Farrow – Director - Yvonne was
selected one of ten in the nation for ABC
Entertainment’s Talent Development
Scholarship/Grant to write, direct and produce
her short film, I’d Rather Be Dancing. IRBD was
nominated “Best Short” at the Pan African Film
Festival and FESPACO. She won “Best Actress”
at the American Theater of Harlem Film Festival
for her portal of the leading character. The film
is based on her original stage play, Movements.
Farrow is a producing partner in Twinbiz™
and was awarded the first NBTF ‘Emerging
Producer’ Award along with Yvette Heyliger.
She was nominated “Best Producer – Local”
at the NAACP Theatre Awards for the world
premiere of Heyliger’s play, What Would Jesus
Do?, for which she later won an AUDELCO
for “Leading Actress”. Farrow was nominated
“Outstanding Supporting Actress” in Heyliger’s
White House Wives: Operation Lysistrata! at
Planet Connections Theater Festivity and was
last seen in the feature film, My Uncle Rafael.
A vested member of SAG/AFTRA and AEA,
she has numerous stage, television and film
credits. For more information please visit www.
imdb.me/yvonnefarrow or www.twinbiz.com.
A Director/Choreographer, she is member of
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Farrow wrote, directed and choreographed
the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival’s
19thAnniversary Gala and Awards Ceremony
and was the Assistant Director of Bridge to
Baraka by eٕ