Broadcast content across borders

Coming 2 America In Worldwide Launch
Amazon Studios, in association with Paramount Pictures and New Republic Pictures, have formally presented the much-anticipated feature film, Coming 2 America. The movie, a sequel to the 1988 classic, Coming To America, was released globally on March 5.

Nigeria’s leading film distribution company Filmone Distribution hosted the Nigerian version of the glamorous launch same day in Lagos. An Eddie Murphy Production/Misher Films Production, the film, which is directed by Craig Brewer, features a rich cast of top rated actors including, Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, Kiki Layne, Shari Headley, with Wesley Snipes and James Earl Jones, John Amos, Teyana Taylor, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Paul Bates, Nomzamo Mbatha and Bella Murphy.

Executive Produced by Brian Oliver, Bradley Fischer, Valerii An, Kenya Barris, Charisse Hewitt-Webster, Michele Imperato Stabile and Andy Berman, the movie which is expected to be as successful as the first diet is set in the lush and royal country of Zamunda, newly-crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi (Arsenio Hall) embark on an all-new hilarious adventure that has them traversing the globe from their great African nation to the borough of Queens, New York – where it all began. Eddie Murphy reprises his role as the ever-charming Prince Akeem and leads an all-star cast for this much-anticipated sequel. The movie is in cinemas across the country.

Parker’s American Skin Headlines Ongoing PAFF
AMERICAN filmmaker, Nate Parker, will be on hot seat for a session of questions and answers to be moderated by Tracy Byrd, after the virtual and online screening of his film, American Skin, at the ongoing Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles. The movie is the centerpiece film for the festival today, March 7, 2021. Screening online is at 6:00 p.m. PT / 8:00 p.m. CT / 9:00 p.m. Directed by Parker, American Skin weaves a layered story in the tradition of Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men and Dog Day Afternoon that follows a Black Iraqi War veteran, who after being denied a fair trial following the shooting death of his teenage son (and only child) by a white police officer, desperately seeks justice and accountability for his son’s death. Information about additional virtual screenings and events, or to purchase a ticket or pass to participate in PAFF now through March 14 is available at PAFF.org.

Founded in 1992 by award-winning actor Danny Glover and executive director, Ayuko Babu, PAFF is dedicated to the promotion of ethnic and racial respect and tolerance through the exhibit of films, art and creative expression. The goal of PAFF is to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images, help to destroy negative stereotypes and depict an expanded vision of the Black experience.

TIFF Unveils Writers Studio Class of 2021
THE organisers of Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) have announced the eight screenwriters that will participate in the 2021 Writers’ Studio. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the programme, applications were open internationally for the first time. Of the selected participants, 50 per cent identify as women. Writers’ Studio is a five-day intensive workshop offering personalised script consulting, focusing on adaptation, character development, dialogue, and scene structure. Participants will also receive complimentary access to the 2021 TIFF and industry conference. The Writers’ Studio sessions will hold digitally from March 8 to12, 2021. After reviewing over 240 submissions from Canada and around the world, the following writers have been selected: Maha Al-Saati, Jonathan Beaulieu-Cyr, Adrianna DiLonardo, Jason Filiatrault, Abraham Gezahagne, Karabo Lediga, Silvina Schnicer, and Taratoa Stappard. The participants will be celebrated tonight on Twitter at 7pm EST.

“TIFF champions diverse storytellers and provides mentorship opportunities by connecting up-and-coming talent with notable industry experts to elevate their projects and careers,” said Geoff Macnaughton, TIFF Senior Director, Industry and Theatrical. “Our industry is only as strong as the calibre of its talent, and we’re thrilled to nurture the next generation of screenwriters through TIFF Writers’ Studio.” This year’s lab will support the development of feature-film scripts, with dedicated one-on-one discussions from international script consultants — Andrew Ahn, Avi Nesher, Alesia Weston and Christina Lazaridi. Additionally, renowned industry experts will speak during the daily workshops and engage with screenwriters: Jorge Thielen Armand (Writers’ Studio ’18, TIFF Filmmaker Lab ’17), Rosemary Dunsmore, Brad Fraser, Danis Goulet (Filmmaker Lab ’11), Sardé Hardie, Iain Reid and Paul Tyler. From the Canadian Film Centre’s CBC Actors Conservatory, Araya Mengesha, Vivien Endicott-Douglas, Ajuawak Kapashesit, and Getenesh Berhe will join for a full-day table read of the projects in development. Following their involvement in TIFF Studio, many of these filmmakers have gone on to present their films at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Berlinale and SXSW.