Biz Markie Film World Premieres at AHFF

Atlanta, Ga. (June 2007) - The third annual Atlanta HipHop Film Festival's (AHFF) selection committee joined by the AHFF staff have chosen 24 submissions comprised of films, videos and documentaries that will be screened Friday through Sunday.

“Previous AHFF winners have since signed deals with HBO, Warner Brothers and Maverick Platinum Entertainment,” says Shameka Gumbs, event founder and executive director of Creative Circle Entertainment.

WORLD PREMIERE - Film: Stomping Grounds - Director: Rob Schroeder - Synopsis: This is the story of a pioneering emcee, the Diabolical Biz Markie, and the places that made him…him.

Film: Biggie Smalls: Bigger than Life - Director: Peter Spirer - Synopsis: This tribute is the most in depth look at Biggie’s life as an artist, rapper, father, and husband. We have interviews ranging from Method Man to Common to Easy Mo Bee.
Film: WU: The Story of The Wu Tang Clan - Director: GB (Gerald Barclay) - Synopsis: In the summer of 1993, the Wu-Tang Clan emerged from the slums of Staten Island and took the hip-hop world by storm. This is their story.
Film: Turn Off Channel Zero - Director: Opio Sokoni - Synopsis: The aim of Turn Off Channel Zero is to kick the hell out of the creators of negative images. Professor Griff of the legendary HipHop group Public Enemy is running with the most capable group of activists, artists, filmmakers and everyday people. There are solutions, actions and some real things that get said … .
Film: Blaze: The Truth Through HipHop - Director: Maurice Lynch
Video: Lookin Down on Me - Director: Paul Catalanotto
Film: Counting Headz: South Afrika’s Sistaz in HipHop -Director: Vusi Magubane & Erin Offer
Video: Back in the Dayz - Director: Renny Rugah
Video: Sweet Sixteen “Spot Snatcher” - Director: Sophia Leang
Film: Cuban HipHop: Desde el Principio - Director: Vanessa & Larissa Diaz
Film: HIPHOPISTAN: Representing Locality in a Global City - Director: Cigdem Akbay
Film: Keep Hanging on to our Dreams - Director: Keira Maameri
Film: Lady Beatmakers Vol. 1 - Director: Tachelle Wilkes
Film: Unsigned - Director: Ri-Karlo Handy
Film: Like an Ambassador of his People – The Rappers of Senegal - Director: Hans-Jorg Heinrich
Film: RITCH - Director: Sharon Lewis
Film: DJ Screw: The Untold Story - Director: Cliff Mack & Reggie Oliver
Film: Studio - Director: Corey Grant
Film: Ministry vs. Industry - Director: Shekinah Apedo
Film: I Love Hip Hop in Morocco - Director: Joshua Asen & Jennifer Needleman
Film: Rhyme Spitters 2 - Director: Rich Seng
Film: Memoirs of an Undiscovered Artist: A Choreographer’s Story - Director: Edward “DAQ” Adjepong
Film: Rent-A-White Folk - Director: Charles A. Burks & Lyn-Don McCray
Film: The Good The Bad and The Bling - Director: David Velo Stewart
2007 AHFF Film Selection Committee
Nikki Marshall (DARP), Allen Johnston (Music Specialist), James Farmer (CNN), Maurice Garland (Freelance Writer), Monique Woods (Filmmaker), Allwyn Forrester (Photographer), Nataki Montgomery (Casting Director), Gerald Barclay (Filmmaker) Kortney Reed (JAFA Ent), Asante Bradford (GFVM) and Leslie Greene (RTSE).

About AHFF
This three-day festival, beginning August 24th and closing on the 26th, will consist of panel discussions, workshops, networking mixer, a HipHop theater performance, special events, film screenings; showcasing filmmakers from around the globe, a star-studded awards ceremony and the latest addition, AHFF Youth Corner. The festival will focus on HipHop genre films and HipHop artists that have made a successful transition into the world of acting.

AHFF’s Mission
To allow aspiring entertainers, an avenue to reach the masses with their product and skills, providing exposure and networking opportunities for all those within the film industry. In addition, we will celebrate and embrace the collaboration of HipHop meeting film by awarding upcoming and established filmmakers, as well as known HipHop artists for their outstanding accomplishments. Lastly, our festival foundation will support art indiscriminately and provide education in the form of seminars to empower entrepreneurs with the adequate skills to prosper in their given industry. For more information, visit www.AtlHipHopFilmFest.com or call (877) ATL-HHFF. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact LaKisha Smith at (770) 896-7718 and Chantell Welch at (404) 583-3578 or email sponsorship@AtlHipHopfilmfest.com.