Hollywood Black Film Festival 2008

4. Cartel Jones has had a miserable existence. In the 20 years since he has left High School Cartel has not made one good decision, and most of the decisions he has made have cost him, dearly. But here he is, 20 years later, still alive, still down on his luck, and just about flat broke. That doesn't mean anything to Cartel because all he wants right now, is a pack of cigars. His only pleasure, and he's going to spend his only change at the local corner store to get some. It just so happens that someone else has other plans for that particular store. But if you think Cartel Jones has come to save the day, think again!

When Terrell McFarland decides to invite his four closest friends from college to his new home, he meant it to be a chance to reunite with each other and reminisce on the past. All five men have become very successful since their college days - Russ is a major hip-hop music producer, Leroy is a leading African American scholar, Joey was a standout NFL football player, and Kendrick is a prominent doctor. It is like old time when they gather in Terrell's house joking and teasing each other, but as they say 'old memories never die'. When Karen Worthy, a woman from their college days they all shared a relationship with, appears unannouced, the atmosphere grows hauntingly intense. Casual conversation turns into harsh accusations of how they each mistreated her and Terrell unveils a startling revelation that leads to one damning confession that may crucify them all.

Experience one of the first five films from a truly inspiring cinematic initiative. Four filmmakers launched an international media development project under the mandate to 'Inspire. Educate. Entertain.' In the summer of 2007, with no funding and borrowed equipment, the BURUNDI FILM CENTER (BFC) trained 36 students aged 18-25 the basics of film theory and production in an attempt to translate the students' stories to the screen. The results are five short dramatic films both universal to the human condition and unique to the tiny, war-ravaged east African nation of Burundi. Stories about love, rape, AIDS, refugees, big dreams and bigger barriers now provide a touching an intimate picture into this world.

AKIRA is a Japanese guy who co-owns a store specializing in rap music with best friend, a black man named JEREMY. One day DAPHNE, a pretty black woman, walks in to browse for CDs. She catches Akira's eye and leaves as his new part time clerk. Later, Daphne sorts discovers an album featuring Akira and his friends in gangster poses from his days as leader of JWA (Japs with Attitude). Daphne and Akira share a laugh. Later Daphne tells Akira that her boyfriend is taking her out to celebrate his video's premiere on MTV. Akira cleans up as Daphne waits. Finally, Akira is ready to close. He offers a ride and they go to a restaurant in Little Tokyo. Daphne surprises by ordering in Japanese. This shocks Akira, but he's more stunned by the rude Japanese staff. Akira and Daphne consummate their relationship. Daphne reveals her new romance to her friends while Akira tells his Japanese friends. Their reactions play on stereotypes. Corey shows up to woo Daphne. Later, Kumi surprises Akira by visiting. Daphne arrives and confronts Akira, quitting on him as both a lover and employee. He chases after her. Kumi recognizes this as a lover's quarrel and bolts from the store. Akira calls home. His father answers and berates him demanding he return home. Akira refuses. He loses his store. We learn Kumi has notified immigration about his illegal status. Akira must fight for the woman he loves and to stay in the country.

A Model is challenged to decide between career and family when her husband gets baby fever.

B.A.M. tells the story of convicted murderer Brian Anthony Masters who undergoes a new procedure to determine if he will be eligible for early parole.The short psychological drama follows a young black male B.A.M, who's been convicted murdering of a long time rival of his, Rob Roberts.Sentenced to 15 years in a maximum state prison for a crime he adamantly says he did not commit. Bam faces a parole evaluation in front of a single unsympathetic parole board member 'THE MAN'. Undergoing a new advanced drug treatment method to determine innocence, BAM is injected with a truth serum. While under the influence of this mysterious serum, BAM goes through a wide array of emotions and flashbacks as he comes to terms fully with the event that has changed his life.B.A.M. provides a deep if uncomfortable insight into the past of a troubled youth as it examines the relationship between actions and consequences.B.A.M. builds on the uncompromising concept of the seminal youth outreach documentary Scared Straight while telling a wholly original narrative in the modern language of hip-hop.

At the end of his rope and full of despair, a homeless man receives a gift, which inevitably becomes more trouble than what it is worth. On his quest to escape the world of nameless faceless people and return to mainstream society, he struggles to find help and is literally kicked into a deeper dpression. At his lowest point he calls out to God and his prayers are answered by two unlikely angels.

Experience one of the first five films from a truly inspiring cinematic initiative. Four filmmakers launched an international media development project under the mandate to 'Inspire. Educate. Entertain.' In the summer of 2007, with no funding and borrowed equipment, the BURUNDI FILM CENTER (BFC) trained 36 students aged 18-25 the basics of film theory and production in an attempt to translate the students' stories to the screen. The results are five short dramatic films both universal to the human condition and unique to the tiny, war-ravaged east African nation of Burundi. Stories about love, rape, AIDS, refugees, big dreams and bigger barriers now provide a touching an intimate picture into this world.

When Sean, a Brooklyn Cafe owner, is traumatized by an unexpected robbery, he lashes out against a kid riding a mini bike in front of his cafe, and finds himself in a dangerous confrontation with the boy's cousin, a chessmaster, kingpin, who Sean must checkmate in order to save his cafe and his neck.