Independent Black Film Festival Announces 2007 FADE IN Award Winners

Anderson’s Cross, Pop Foul, and Return, were among the films receiving Independent Black Film Festival (IBFF) FADE IN Awards during a star-studded ceremony hosted by Meagan Good (Stomp the Yard), and Ty Hodges (Material Girls). Held recently at the prestigious Carter Center in Atlanta during a week-long film festival, the awards program will air on the Black Family Channel.

"Each years the selection process gets more difficult with the high level of films we receive," says Asante Addae, IBFF festival director. "Our goal is to showcase and celebrate the creativity in independent filmmaking. All of the films epitomize the high level of ingenuity in independent film."

The award ceremony was a highlight of a weeklong festival packed with workshops, networking receptions, and over 40 film screenings, including a special screening of PRIDE, starring Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow), Bernie Mac (Oceans 12) and Kimberly Elise ( John Q). Based on true events, Lions Gate Entertainment's, PRIDE tells the inspiring story of Jim Ellis, a charismatic schoolteacher in the 1970s who changed lives forever when he founded an African- American swim team in one of Philadelphia’s roughest neighborhoods.

IBFF FADE IN Award for "Best Feature Film" went to Anderson's Cross a coming of age story written and directed by Jerome Scott. Anderson’s Cross is about three middle class teenagers in the last year of innocence and struggling with society's limitations that clash so harshly with their own.

"I was honored to receive the FADE IN Award, it makes the long process worthwhile. After the long journey to complete Anderson’s Cross, it is a great feeling for my peers to appreciate our work," says Scott. "I am especially honored to accept an award in Georgia since I will be shooting my next film in Georgia."

In the "Best Documentary Film" category, Return received top honors. Directed by Damani Baker, Return takes the audience on a journey with two African Americans as they reconnect their ancestry, and experience their own spiritual awakenings as they visit traditional healers across the African continent.

Pop Foul a 19-minute short directed by Moon Molson, was the winner in the "Best Short Film" category. Pop Foul is about a boy who sees his father attacked by a local thug on the way home from a Little League game and agrees to help hide the incident from his mother. The series of betrayals that follow send the boy down a shocking path of destruction.

The "Best Animation Film" award went to Magic Cellar, a series of 20 beautifully animated shorts based on African folktales directed by Firdaus Kharas.

"Best Screenplay", an honor for work not yet produced, was awarded to Queen Mamba, written by Susan Anderson.

Sponsored this year by Comcast Digital and Jesse and Dhonna Goodale, among others, the Independent Black Film Festival (www.indieblackfest.org), is one of the largest and most highly attended film festivals in the southeastern United States. The 5-day festival, now in its fourth year, annually presents over 60 films and shorts from more than 15 countries. In addition to the annual festival, IBFF's year-round programming includes special events, film series, tributes and educational outreach programs. The Independent Black Film Festival Group is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.