Allstate Presents 12th Annual American Black Film Festival

Allstate presents the 12th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) which opens tonight in Los Angeles, California. Oscar winner Halle Berry will introduce a special screening of "Carmen Jones." This year’s theme is Exploring Black Romance and Sexuality in American Cinema.

According to Jeff Friday, Founder and CEO of Film Life, Inc and the ABFF, “The theme of this year’s festival is Exploring Black Romance and Sexuality in American Cinema, so we thought it would be interesting to take a look back and examine the first film in contemporary cinema to showcase a modern-day love story featuring a sexy African-American duo.”

Celebrities that have confirmed attendance are Evan Ross, Lauren London, Tatiana Ali, Columbus Short, Anthony Mackie; Holly Robinson Peete and Nate Parker (Off The Record); Mos Def, Rockmond Dunbar, Idris Elba, Michael Ealy, John Singleton and Sanaa Lathan (Lincoln Presents: Off the Red Carpet); Malik Yoba, Tina Andrews and Salli Richardson (Black Romance panel); and Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon and Loretta Devine (ABFF Remembers).

Presenting awards at the ABFF Awards presentation are Richard T. Jones and Paula Patton; the host is Niecy Nash. Dennis Haysbert serves as the President of the 2008 Grand Jury and Anthony Mackie is the 2008 ABFF Ambassador.

Festival Passes are $500, WGA West Writers Workshop Passes are $200, Opening Night Cocktail Reception & Film Screening is $75, Movie Tickets are $12, Allstate and Nielsen Symposiums is $30, Signature Events (HBO Short Film Competition, Black Sexuality and Young Hollywood panels) is $30, Closing Night Gala (Awards Presentation and Film Screening) is $150.