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For Immediate Release Contact: Jana Elise Taylor
May 9, 2007 (212) 966-2411 x406
Film Life Announces Acquisition of Award-Winning Film TRACI TOWNSEND
To Be Released on the ”American Black Film Festival DVD Series” Label
In Association with Warner Home Video
New York, NY, May 9, 2007 — Film Life Pictures has acquired the home video rights to the award-winning romantic comedy feature film TRACI TOWNSEND. The film, an Official Selection of the 2006 American Black Film Festival (ABFF), is slated for release on July 17, 2007. Film Life has partnered with Warner Home Video to distribute high-quality urban films for home entertainment under its ABFF DVD Series label.
TRACI TOWNSEND stars Jazsmin Lewis, Mari Marrow, Victor Williams and Richard T. Jones.
The film tells the story of Traci (Jazsmin Lewis), a sexy thirtysomething advice columnist who has had her share of good men. But as luck would have it, she’s still single and wants to know why. So Traci enlists the help of her level-headed best friend Sylvia (Mari Marrow), and together they trip down memory lane. Armed with a mic and camera, they interview Traci’s former lovers – Darrell, Pierre and Dante – to find out why they never proposed. Each encounter comically teaches Traci more about herself than she would care to know, causing her to re-evaluate the meaning of love, life and, ultimately, happiness.
Said Jeff Friday, Founder/CEO of Film Life, “Film Life is thrilled to have acquired TRACI TOWNSEND. The film is a definite crowd pleaser, and played to packed houses during our 2006 American Black Film Festival. Beyond its high entertainment factor, it is also socially relevant.” According to the Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey, marriage rates among Black women remain low. Only about 30 percent of Black women are living with a spouse.
Said Eva Davis, VP, Targeted Acquisitions and Marketing at Warner Home Video, “TRACI TOWNSEND is a wonderful addition to the American Black Film Festival DVD Series – as it presents a fun and welcomed alternative to stereotypical offerings in the urban DVD marketplace. We’re very proud to be partnering with the American Black Film Festival and look forward to great success with this film.”
The production team for TRACI TOWNSEND includes executive producers Fred Lewis and Bobby Thompson, and producers Cheryl Bedford and Bobby Thompson. The film is directed and edited by Craig Ross, Jr. The director of photography is Carl Bartels, with casting by Pamela M. Staton. Music by Geno Young, and music supervision by Carmen Rodgers and Geno Young. The story is by Shelitta Castille-Thompson, and written by Bobby Thompson.
About Warner Home Video
With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video’s film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.
About the American Black Film Festival
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is a five-day retreat and international film market now held annually in Los Angeles, CA. Founded in 1997, the festival’s mission is to strengthen the Black filmmaking community through resource sharing, education, artistic collaboration and career development. The ABFF was born out of the need to develop distribution opportunities for independent Black films and promote cultural diversity within the motion picture industry. HBO is the festival’s founding and title sponsor. For further information, visit www.abff.com.
About Film Life Pictures
Film Life Pictures is a division of Film Life, Inc. Film Life is a New York-based marketing, media and distribution company that was founded in 2002 by Jeff Friday, its CEO. The company’s mission is to spearhead the global distribution of Black independent cinema and be the leading producer/distributor of Black films, television, events and digital content. Its signature properties include the American Black Film Festival and the Black Movie Awards. For further information, visit www.FilmLife.com.
Contact Information:
Jana Elise Taylor
(212) 966-2411 x406
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